Chapter 21

[ 21 ]


     Then William, with three hundred men enveloped in iron, suddenly rushed upon the inimical encampments of that rash multitude, crushing and tearing them to pieces with sword-points and lances. He smashed the tents of the leaders, and torched the little tents of their warriors; his sword overthrew whomever it hit upon and sent those who stood against him over to the lower world. With William thus gaining the victory over his foes, Riulf vanished in flight. The part of the army following him was not able to apprehend him, because he was hidden by the thickness of the wood. Moreover the Seine gulped down very many of them, and the wood also ate up many of the mutilated. Then William, surveying the field of corpses, and not finding any of his own followers dead, with his followers did glorify God, who came to the assistance of those trusting in him. Moreover that place, in which the marvelous war took place, is called until the present day "the war meadow." When William was therefore returning from the battle, a certain warrior from F‚camp went to meet him, notifying him that a son had been born from his most esteemed consort. Thus, already delighted by the accomplished battle and even more delighted by a son, he sent bishop Heiric of the church of Bayeux, most holy indeed of all prelates, and Botho, most distinguished of all warriors, to have his son reborn and renewed by oil and chrism, the moisture of sacred baptism.

APOSTROPHE

Behold, patrician William, a worthy crown will be given to you
As recompense, an heir of your blood, worthy of you,
Who, vigorous, will direct the populace with just reins.
West and east, north and south
Will worthily acknowledge his praiseworthy name,
Once his uprightness has been published abroad and his merits likewise reported. (note 1)


Notes:

1. Preferring the "sparsis" of CC 276 and other witnesses.


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