A force of 300 French knights, with a great body of soldiers, embarked at Calais in 80 great ships and many smaller ones, commanded by Eustace the Monk, who " had done in his daysmuch mischief to the Englishmen ."[1] With only 40 vessels, great and small, the English commander put to sea on St. Bartholomew 's day; and encountered them , and " by tilting at them with the iron beaks of their galleys, sunk several of the transports with all on board ."[2]
Louis was so disheartened by this reverse, that he was glad to make peace, gave up such strongholds as were in his possession , and returned to France. A remarkable instance occurred some 15 years afterwards of the feeling with which the people regarded this naval victory . Hubert de Burgh[3], who had been Regent of England, and husband of a Queen , fell upon evil days, and was forcibly dragged from the sanctuary where he had taken refuge. The smith who was sent for to rivet his fetters, on learning who he was, said " I will never make iron shackles for him , but will rather die the worst death that is. Is not this Hubert, who restored England to England ?" Speed , 517.
I have dwelt somewhat at length on this incident, because I believe that Hastings had no slight share in this great deliverance of our native land : and I am led to this conclusion by an examination of the arms and seal of Hastings.
