midnight
The meeting now broke up . Great was the confusion in the village that night , and sad the partings between friends and kinsfolk . All the beasts of burden were put in requisition ; only a hundred of the choicest steeds reserved for the brave band who were to accompany their beloved lord to the Camp . By midnight these steeds were laden , and all was ready for the exodus . Then a dozen stern men bore brands of fire through the village , and soon every house burst into flames . It was sad to see their homes burning ; it seemed almost a crime to apply the torch ; but each man thought it better far , than to leave them for Normans to dwell in . And soon a brighter blaze startled the neighbourhood -- the castle cast its broad banner of flame to the heavens , and thick clouds of smoke blotted out the stars .