Note 9 — Chapter XI

In the Bayeux tapestry, the child will be seen at the poop, not at the prow, to which, however, he looks; he holds a trumpet. In Taylor's Anon. MS. (Littleton, i. 464) it is stated that William's own ship was called Mora, being the gift of Matilda; and the child is stated to have pointed towards England with his right forefinger, and to have held to his mouth an ivory horn with his left. According to Ordericus Vitalis, one Fitz Stephen under Hen. I. claimed to take the king in the unfortunate Blanche-Nef, because his father had carried over the conqueror. Benoit de Sainte-More's short account of the voyage, of the formation of the first fort, which he places at Pevensey, and of the progress thence to Hastings, is as follows:

D'entrer es nefs e de charger Ne sorst esmai ne destorbier, Kar l'aure venta duce e queie Eissi que li mers trop n'ondeie. Enz l'anuitant furent tuit enz; Od ce que mult fu dreiz li venz, Traïstrent les veiles, si siglèrent, Au rei des ceus se comandèrent Od joie e od tens duz e bel Arrivent a Pevenesel. Iloc sempres desus le port Ferment un chastel bel e fort. Chevalers bons des sues genz Laissa li dux assez dedenz Por tenir le deus anz garniz, Apres, ce conte li escriz, Vint a Hastinges senz demore, Ou maintenant e en poi d'ore En r'a un autre fait fermer. Tant entendirent al ovrer Que li mur i furent si haut De nule part ne dote assant. Là remist gardes seguraines E de lui fei porter certaines.