Battle of Hastings - The Crossing of the Channel
The Crossing of the Channel In my previous post entitled " the Departure form Dives", we left William and his army in St Valery sur Somme. William of Poitiers gives no details of the crossing other than three stops, one in the evening before dark, one after dark and one in the morning. William of Jumièges is even briefer, limiting himself to saying that there was a favourable wind. The Bayeux Tapestry devotes just one scene ( Scene 38) to the crossing of the Channel However, the Carmen devotes 25 lines to the Crossing ( lines 100 to 124). It can be interpreted as saying that there were two stops but with a bit more detail. The first stop is to form up into a fleet after leaving St Valery. In line 115 the Carmen records that an order was given to regroup entailing some ships to stop and drop anchor. In line 117 records that the stop lasted until daybreak. Finally they reach Pevensey at the third hour. I'm intrigued that the trip was done at night but ...