In the meantime, King Harold having received the news of the Duke's arrival, immediately after the battle of Stamford, in which he had defeated the Norwegians with great slaughter, and killed his brother Tosti and King Harfager, hastened to London, which he had appointed as the general rendezvous for his forces ; where, upon mustering his troops, he found them much impaired by the late battle, and the new levies ill-disciplined ; but he trusted to his standing troops, who were numerous and brave, and endeavoured to win upon the rest by treating their Chiefs with respect and affability.
Matters began now to wear a serious aspect. Harold was on the point of marching, when his brother Gurth, a man of bravery and experience, suggested doubts of the propriety of the King's hazarding his person and kingdom on the event of one battle. He thought it would be better policy to prolong the war ; that the desperate situation of William made it requisite for that Prince to bring matters to a speedy decision; but that the King of England, in his own country, provided with -
