Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-08-23

Palgrave, the historian, asserts that
Arletta's pretty feet had not twinkled
in the brook she would not have fasci-
mated Duke Robert of Normandy. If
he had not wed her she would not
have become the mother of William the
Couuueror. If there had been no Will
liam the Conqueror there. would have
been no battle of Hastings, Harold
would not have fallen, no Ang1O-Nor-
man dynasty would have arisen, and
there would have been no British en-
pire But Ar1etta's feet did twinkle.
Hence Hastings, a fight which changed
England and made America what it
is today.
Hastings was fought in the year
1866. At that time the state of Eng
land, under her last Anglo-SaxOn
kings, closely resembled the state of
France under the last Carlovingian
princes. The crown was feeble. The
great mobiles were strong and turbu-
lent. 1t has been generally conceded
that for all the cruelty of the con-
uuerors it was the Norman conquest
which put the mettle in the blood of
England and sowed the seed for the
British constitution.
Edward the Confessor had died
childless. Although William of Nor
mandy was his kinsman, although Ed
ward was believed to be most favor
ably inclined toward William. and al
though there is some evidence that to
William he promised the English
crown, upon Harold, son of Earl God
win and most popular chieftain in the
land was made the formal bestowal.
But before this Harold himself. while
q visitor at Williams court, had given
formal promise to assist the duke In
obtaining the English throne. That
William obtained this oath by the en-
p1oyment of trickery, and that he was
Inscriptions in his method of coercing
Harold, is fairly evident. But William
had at least ostensible ground for in
dignatfon when Harold. finding him.
self after Edwards death lauded by
the priests and thames Is England's
king. decided that the oath needed no
keeping. He was duly anointed. receiv-
ing from the hands of the archbishop
not only the golden crown and scepter.
but weighty battleax. For this latter
bit of regalia he found very present
need.
William published far and wide
through Christendom the perjury of
Harold, proclaiming his intention of
gaining his rights by the sword be-
fore the year should expire. and prom
Using most dire punishment TO the "per-
jurer' He laid his case before the
pope, but Harold refused to arbitrate.
declaring that he would not ANSWER
before an italian priest for his title
as an English king" Forthwith the
pope confirmed William in his claim.
whereupon William raised the holy
banner. and half the chivalry of CONT
mental Europe f1ocked to his side for
the privilege (?) of serving In a strug-
gle blessed by his holiness.
Harold prepared for the invasion,
but down upon him from the north
swept Harald Hardrarda of Norway.
By a forced march and brilliant ma
neuvering, Harold surprised Harald at
Stamford Bridge. completely routing
and killing him with most of his mobiles.
1t was a striking victory. but 1t was
bought at a tremendous price. for here
Harold lost the flower of his officers
and his army, while his occupation in
Yorkshire gave William the opportu-
nifty for an unopposed landing upon the
Sussex coast. With a great array of
knights and lesser force of men-at-
arms-his total army had once num-
bered 10000. but there had been some
loss through the wrecking of ships and
through defections-he came ashore
at Pevensey on the Goth of September.
Harold was still at York rejoicing over
his hard-won victory.
Harold now made the mistake of
Understanding the military skill of
the enemy. He might have gathered
an army greater in size than Williams
but his victory over Hardrarda had
given him great confidence. Raising
only small force in London, he at
tempted another forced march. hoping
to surprise the Normans as he had the
Norwegians. William lay in an armed
camp at Hastings. but he made skillful
employment of cavalry screen. there
by employing the same methods of pro-
lection used by modern generals, until
the airplane came into the field. The
horse. falling back IN good order,
warned William, and dashed Harold's
hope for a surprise. Therefore he
halted seven miles from the Norman
lines. sending out spies, who made the
curious mistake of taking the Norman
soldiers for priests, since they were
short-haired and shaver. Harold's
generals. realizing the numerical infe-
riority of their forces. would have had
him retreat upon London, leaving the
Saxon fleet to cut Williams line of
communication with his base. but to
this Harold would not hearken- He
strengthened his position by n pail
sadie and there awaifed tha attack