On either side just below the handle , where the Runic letters shivered as though they were alive , were two deep gouges in the dull , deadly steel . ` Now , what Thing made those ? ' said he . ' I know not , but you , perhaps , can say . ' ` Tell them all the tale , Sir Richard , ' said Puck . ` It concerns their land somewhat . ' ` Yes , from the very beginning , ' Una pleaded , for the knight 's good face and the smile on it more than ever reminded her of ` Sir Isumbras at the Ford ' . They settled down to listen , Sir Richard bare-headed to the sunshine , dandling the sword in both hands , while the grey horse cropped outside the Ring , and the helmet on the saddle-bow clinged softly each time he jerked his head . ` From the beginning , then , ' Sir Richard said , ` since it concerns your land , I will tell the tale . When our Duke came out of Normandy to take his England , great knights -LRB- have ye heard ? -RRB- came and strove hard to serve the Duke , because he promised them lands here , and small knights followed the great ones . My folk in Normandy were poor ; but a great knight , Engerrard of the Eagle -- Engenulf De Aquila -- who was kin to my father , followed the Earl of Mortain , who followed William the Duke , and I followed De Aquila . Yes , with thirty men-at-arms out of my father 's house and a new sword , I set out to conquer England three days after I was made knight . I did not then know that England would conquer me . We went up to Santlache with the rest -- a very great host of us . ' ` Does that mean the Battle of Hastings -- Ten Sixty-Six ? ' Una whispered , and Puck nodded , so as not to interrupt . ` At Santlache , over the hill yonder ' -- he pointed south-eastward towards Fairlight -- ` we found Harold 's men . We fought . At the day 's end they ran .
My men went with De XXXXX 's to chase and plunder , and in that chase Engerrard of the Eagle was slain , and his son Gilbert took his banner and his men forward .
Aquila Engerrard Fairlight Ford Harold Mortain Runic Santlache days men-at-arms