HAROLD.

249

of the full extent of his danger, from the great chap,

combination against him, had employed every m.

art of popularity to acquire the affections of the

public; and he gave so many proofs of an equitable

and prudent administration , that the English

found no reason to repent the choice which they

liad made of a sovereign. They flocked from all

quarters to join his standard; and as soon as he

reached the enemy at Standford , he found himself

in a condition to give them battle. The action September

was bloody; but the victory was decisive on the 2S ‘

side of Harold, and ended in the total rout of

the Norvegians , together with the death of Tosti

and Halfager. Even the Norvegian fleet fell into

the hands of Harold; who had the generosity to

give prince Olave, the son of Halfager, his liberty,

and allow him to depart with twenty vessels. But

he had scarcely time to rejoice for this victory,

when he received intelligence, that the duke of

Normandy was landed with a great army in the

south of England.

The Norman fleet and army had been assembled,early in the summer, at the mouth of the smallriver Dive, and all the troops had been instantlyembarked; but the winds proved long contrary,and detained them in that harbour. The authoi ity,however , of the duke , the good disciplinemaintained among the seamen and soldiers, andthe great care m supplying them with provisions,had prevented any disorder; when at last the windbecame favourable, and enabled them to fail alongthe coast, till they reached St. Yalori. There