Early in 1101 Robert landed at Portsmouth to win the crown in arms.

The great barons with hardly an exception stood aloof from the king.

But the Norman Duke found himself face to face with an English army which gathered at Anselm's summons round Henry's standard.

The temper of the English had rallied from the panic of Senlac.

The soldiers who came to fight for their king "nowise feared the Normans." As Henry rode along their lines showing them how to keep firm their shield-wall against the lances of Robert's knighthood, he was met with shouts for battle.