Note 687 — Chapter XII · THE LATER REIGN OF WILLIAM IN NORMANDY.[159] 1051–1066. (continued 3)
Reading edition
William of Malmesbury (iii. 236) attributes the opposite motive to William. He takes Harold, “volens ejus manum explorare; simul et strictiori consilio, apparatum ostentans suum, conspicaturo quantùm præstaret Anglicis bipennibus ensis Normannicus.” If Harold was set to fight on horseback with his Danish axe in his hand, it might very likely be so.