Three days later they again sent a herald to say that Hastings had died, and that his last wish had been to be buried in a Christian church.

They therefore asked permission to enter the city unarmed, and bear their leader to his last resting place, promising not only to receive baptism, but also to endow with great wealth the church where Hastings was buried.
[Sidenote: Hastings's stratagem.] The inhabitants of Luna, won by these specious promises, immediately opened their gates, and the funeral procession filed solemnly into the city.

But, in the midst of the mass, the coffin lid flew open, and Hastings sprang out, sword in hand, and killed the officiating bishop and priests.

This example was followed by his soldiers, who produced the weapons they had concealed upon their persons, and slew all the inhabitants of the town.
These lawless invaders were about to proceed to Romaburg (Rome), and sack that city also, but were deterred by a pilgrim whom they met.

He told them that the city was so far away that he had worn out two pairs of iron-soled shoes in coming from thence.