of Hardicanute, and the absence of the other princes was a sufficient reason for their exclusion in a country so little accustomed to observe a regular order in the succession to the throne. Nevertheless, this concurrence of circumstances in favour of Edward might have failed of its effect, had his accession been opposed by Godwin, whose power, alliances, riches, and abilities, gave him a great influence. On the other hand, there existed a declared animosity between Edward and Godwin, on account of Alfred's murder. But their common friends insisting on the urgent necessity of laying aside all rancour, Edward, as a pledge of his sincere reconciliation, consented to marry Editha, the daughter of Godwin, who prepared accordingly every measure to secure the succession to Edward, and summoned immediately a general council at Gillingham, where that prince was crowned king with every demonstration of duty and affection.

The English finding the line of their ancient monarchs restored, set no bounds to their joy, and the warmth of it was attended with some violence against the Danes; but the king, by the mildness of his character, soon reconciled the latter to his administration, and the distinction between the two nations gradually disappeared. He soon after resumed all grants that had been made by his predecessors, and which had so much impoverished the crown, that this act of severity was become absolutely necessary. At the same time, his mother Emma, who was ever intriguing against him, was, by his orders, confined for life in a monastery at Winchester.

Edward having been educated in Normandy, had contracted many intimacies with the natives of that country, and had imbibed an affection for their manners. The court of England was soon filled with Normans; the courtiers affected to imitate

their dress and entertainments. The study of the French tongue became general in the kingdom, and even the lawyers employed that foreign language in their deeds and papers.

As the Normans possessed Edward's confidence, they had secretly, a great influence on public affairs. This naturally excited a jealousy of the English, and above all, of earl Godwin, who often forgot in his complaints the respect due to his prince; and by his insolent behaviour, rekindled Edward's rancour for his more ancient injuries. The king, in pursuance of his engagements, had, indeed, married Editha, the daughter of Godwin; but his hatred of the father was transferred to that princess. It is even pretended, that during the whole course of her life he abstained from all commerce of love with her, and his conduct in this particular, highly commended by the Monkish historians, greatly contributed to his acquiring the name of Saint and Confessor.

The most popular pretence on which Godwin could ground his disaffection to the king and his administration, was the influence of the Normans in the government; and it was not long before this animosity broke into action. Eustace, count of Boulogne, having paid a visit to the king, whose sister he had married, passed by Dover in his return. The servant sent before him to bespeak lodgings in that city, quarrelled with the townsmen, and was killed. The count and his attendants attempting to take revenge, he lost about twenty of his men, and was obliged to save his life by flight from the fury of the populace. He hurried immediately to court, and complained of the insult. The king, highly exasperated at it, ordered Godwin, in whose government Dover lay, to repair immediately to the place, and to punish the inhabitants for the crime. Godwin refused obedience,

and endeavoured to throw all the blame of the riot on the count of Boulogne and his retinue. Edward, offended in so sensible a point, threatened Godwin, if he persisted in his disobedience, to make him feel the utmost effects of his resentment. Godwin, expecting that his countrymen would support him in this cause, prepared for his defence, or rather for an attack upon Edward. Accordingly, under a pretence of repressing some disorders on the Welch frontiers, he secretly assembled a great army, and attempted to surprise the king, who continued without the smallest suspicion at Gloucester. But as soon as he was informed of Godwin's treachery, he privately summoned all the assistance he could, and Godwin finding himself unable to oppose his superior force, or to keep his own army together, disbanded them, and took shelter with Baldwin, earl of Flanders. His numerous estates, together with those of his sons, were confiscated, and the greatness of the family seemed, for a time, to be totally overthrown.

But Godwin, assisted with a fleet by Baldwin, in the year 1052, landed on the Isle of Wight, where he was joined by his son Harold, with a squadron he had collected in Ireland: and being reinforced by great numbers of his former followers, he sailed up the Thames, and appearing before London, threw all things into such confusion, that the king was reduced to the necessity of entering into a negociation; in which it was stipulated, that Godwin should give hostages for his good behaviour, and that all the foreigners should be banished, as well as the primate, a Norman of the name of Robert, promoted by Edward to the see of Canterbury, and who always had enjoyed the highest favour of his master. Edward, sensible that he had not power sufficient to secure Godwin's hostages in England, sent them over to his kinsman,

the young duke of Normandy. The death of Godwin, which happened soon after, prevented him from farther establishing the authority he had acquired, and from reducing Edward to still greater subjection. He was succeeded in the government of Wessex, Sussex, Kent, and Essex, and in the office of steward of the household, a place of great power, by his son Harold, who, as ambitious as his father, was superior to him in address, in insinuation, and in virtue. His modest and gentle demeanour softened that hatred which Edward had so long borne his family, and gaining every day new partizans by his bounty and affability, he soon raised his popularity to such a degree, that he began to be talked of as the most proper person to succeed to the crown. The king, alarmed at these rumours, sent for his nephew Edward from Hungary, who was, in fact, the direct descendant from the ancient Saxon kings. The prince soon arrived, but was scarcely landed when he died, leaving his pretensions to Edgar Atheling, who was too young, weak, and inactive to avail himself of his title. The king was sensible of it; but he could not bear the idea of being succeeded by the son of a man who had risen on the ruins of royal authority, and who, by the murder of Alfred, had so much contributed to the weakening of the Saxon line.

It is related by many historians, that Edward, in this situation, cast his eyes on William, duke of Normandy, as his successor, and that Robert, the archbishop of Canterbury, received commission to inform William of the king's intention in his favour. David Hume, who has adopted that opinion, has grounded it on very respectable authorities; and it must be confessed, that if there is no positive proof of that important fact, its reality is, at least, very probable. Be it as it may, Harold did never remit in obedience to the king, or in preparing his way

for his own advancement on the first vacancy to the throne and two incidents which happened about this time, contributed very much to increase his popularity. The first was his repelling the Welch, commanded by prince Griffin, and rendering them tributary to the crown of England. The other incident was no less honourable. His brother Tosti, having grievously oppressed the people in Northum berland, where he was governor, was expelled in an insurrection, and Harold was ordered by the king to reinstate his brother, and punish the insurgents. But when they enumerated their grievances, sup ported by the strongest proofs of his brother's guilt, he sacrificed his affection to his duty, confirmed the governor, whom the Northumbrians had chosen, and procured their pardon from the king. From that time, Harold became the idol of the people, while Edward, broken with age and infirmities, was surprised by sickness, which brought him tó his grave on the 5th January, 1066, in the 65th year of his age, and 26th of his reign.

This prince, to whom the titles of Saint and Confessor have been given, was the last of the Saxon line that ruled in England. Though his reign was peaceable and fortunate, he owed his prosperity more to the conjunctures of the times than to his abilities, as he had none but those which could be compatible with his indolence, irresolution, and credulity. He was the first king who, from his supposed sanctity, touched for the king's

evil.

Harold ascended the throne without any opposi tion.