came to propose to him, on the part of the Duke, to determine their cause, either by the judgment of Rome, or by duel, in sight of both armies. The answer returned by him was, that he was advancing to fight a battle, in which God would judge between him and his adversary. William, on the approach of the English, set forward, and encamped within a short distance of them.
Both armies now prepared themselves for this important decision ; but the two camps presented very different scenes the night before the engagement. The English spent their time in feasting and riot - the Normans in silence and prayer. At break of day, the Duke himself heard mass in public, and received the communion.
While he was arming, it happened that his breastplate was put on turned upside down, which some about him considering as a bad omen, he changed it into a good one by saying, with a smile - " It signified only that the strength of his Dukedom should on that day be converted into the -
