He fell between the royal ensigns, and the battle closed with a desperate melly over his corpse.
Night covered the flight of the English army: but William was quick to reap the advantage of his victory.

Securing Romney and Dover, he marched by Canterbury upon London.

Faction and intrigue were doing his work for him as he advanced; for Harold's brothers had fallen with the King on the field of Senlac, and there was none of the house of Godwine to contest the crown.

Of the old royal line there remained but a single boy, Eadgar the AEtheling.

He was chosen king; but the choice gave little strength to the national cause.