The noise being heard by a guard of Norman horse-soldiers outside, was mistaken for resistance on the part of the English.

The guard instantly set fire to the neighbouring houses, and a tumult ensued; in the midst of which the King, being left alone in the Abbey, with a few priests (and they all being in a terrible fright together), was hurriedly crowned.

When the crown was placed upon his head, he swore to govern the English as well as the best of their own monarchs.

I dare say you think, as I do, that if we except the Great Alfred, he might pretty easily have done that.
Numbers of the English nobles had been killed in the last disastrous battle.

Their estates, and the estates of all the nobles who had fought against him there, King William seized upon, and gave to his own Norman knights and nobles.