One comes to Battle to-day along that great and beautiful road, high
up over the sea plain, which still seems full with memories of the
Norman advance from Hastings, thinking of all that great business. If
one comes up on Tuesday, upon payment of sixpence, one is admitted
to the gardens of the house in which lie the ruins of the
abbey William founded in thankfulness to God for his victory, the high
altar of which was set upon the very spot where Harold fell: "Hic
Harold Rex interfectus est."
It was while William was encamped upon Telham Hill, expecting the
battle of the morrow, that he vowed an abbey to God if He gave him the
victory. He was heard by a monk of Marmoutier, a certain William,
called the Smith, who, when Duke William had received the crown at
Westminster, reminded him of his promise. The King acknowledged his
obligation and bade William of Marmoutier to see to its fulfilment. The
monk thereupon returned to Marmoutier, and choosing four others,
brought them to England; but finding the actual battlefield unsuited
for a monastery, since there was no water there, he designed to build
lower down towards the west.
Pages:
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215