Note 1067 — Chapter XV · THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.[1055]
Reading edition
The most exact account is that of Wace (11564), who heard the number from his father;
“Maiz jo oï dire à mon pere,
Bien m’en sovint, maiz varlet ere,
Ke set cenz nés, quatre meins, furent,
Quant de Saint-Valeri s’esmurent,
Ke nés, ke batels, ke esqueis
A porter armes è herneis.
E jo en escript ai trové,
Ne sai dire s’est verité,
Ke il i out treis miles nés
Ki porterent veiles è trés.”
This exactness reminds one of Æschylus’ reckoning in the Persians, 333–335. William of Poitiers (125) naturally has his head full of Agamemnon; “Memorat antiqua Græcia Atridem Agamemnona fraternos thalamos ultum ivisse mille navibus: protestamur nos Willelmum diadema regium requisisse pluribus.” William of Jumièges (vii. 34) makes the number “ad tria millia.” Benoit (37004) slightly improves on this;
“Si out treis mile nefs au meins; De ce nos fait l’autor certains.” Gaimar (5248) goes beyond all of them. The French, as he calls them, have “bien unze mil nefs.” Another reading makes it only nine thousand.