Note 453 — Chapter XII · THE LATER REIGN OF WILLIAM IN NORMANDY.[159] 1051–1066. (continued 2)

William of Jumièges, followed by Benoît, makes Ralph say who he is, and describe the event of the battle at some length—at greater length of course in Benoît than in William. This, I think, quite takes away from the startling and spectral effect of the scene in Wace, 10077;

“En un arbre le fist munter,

E tute nuit en haut crier:

‘Franceiz, Franceiz, levez, levez,

Tenez vos veies, trop dormez;

Alez vos amis enterrer,

Ki sunt occiz à Mortemer.’

Li Reis oï ke cil cria

Merveilla sei, mult s’esmaia.”

William of Poitiers says only, “Dux Willelmus nocte intempestâ cautè instructum quemdam direxit, qui tristem Regi victoriam propiùs castra ipsius ab alto arboris per singula inclamavit.” Orderic (658 B) is still shorter; “Per Radulfum de Toëniâ quæ trans Sequanam contigerant Regi Francorum mandavi.”