258 HISTORY OF ENGlAND,

• hap. the appearance of the duke obliged them to seekhi. their safety by flight ; and darkness saved themfrom any farther pursuit by the enemy.

Thus was gained by William , duke of Nor-mandy , the great and decisive victory of Hastings,after a battle which was sought from morningtill sunset , and which seemed worthy , bythe heroic valour displayed by both armiesand by both commanders , to decide the fate ofa mighty kingdom. William had three horseskilled under him ; and there fell near fifteenthousand men on the side of the Normans : Theloss was still more considerable on that of thevanquished ; besides the death of the king andhis two brothers. The dead body of Harold wasbrought to William , and was generously restoredwithout ransom to his mother. The Normanarmy left not the field of battle without givingthanks to heaven, in the most solemn manner,for their victory : And the prince having re-freshed his troops, prepared to push to the utmosthis advantage against the divided , dismayed , anddiscomfited English.