Duke William promised freely to distribute English wealth and English lands among them.

The Pope sent to Normandy a consecrated banner, and a ring containing a hair which he warranted to have grown on the head of Saint Peter.

He blessed the enterprise; and cursed Harold; and requested that the Normans would pay 'Peter's Pence'-- or a tax to himself of a penny a year on every house--a little more regularly in future, if they could make it convenient.
King Harold had a rebel brother in Flanders, who was a vassal of HAROLD HARDRADA, King of Norway.

This brother, and this Norwegian King, joining their forces against England, with Duke William's help, won a fight in which the English were commanded by two nobles; and then besieged York.
Harold, who was waiting for the Normans on the coast at Hastings, with his army, marched to Stamford Bridge upon the river Derwent to give them instant battle.
He found them drawn up in a hollow circle, marked out by their shining spears.

Riding round this circle at a distance, to survey it, he saw a brave figure on horseback, in a blue mantle and a bright helmet, whose horse suddenly stumbled and threw him.
'Who is that man who has fallen ?' Harold asked of one of his captains.
'The King of Norway,' he replied.
'He is a tall and stately king,' said Harold, 'but his end is near.' He added, in a little while, 'Go yonder to my brother, and tell him, if he withdraw his troops, he shall be Earl of Northumberland, and rich and powerful in England.' The captain rode away and gave the message.
'What will he give to my friend the King of Norway ?' asked the brother.
'Seven feet of earth for a grave,' replied the captain.
'No more ?' returned the brother, with a smile.
'The King of Norway being a tall man, perhaps a little more,' replied the captain.
'Ride back!' said the brother, 'and tell King Harold to make ready for the fight!' He did so, very soon.