to the hands of Saracens that were robbers by
the high waies, and so was murthered of them.
* * * * *
_At what time William duke of Normandie came ouer into England, king
Edward promiseth to make him his heire to the kingdom and crowne, the
death of queene Emma, earle Goodwine being growne in fauor againe
seeketh new reuenges of old grudges, causing archbishop Robert and
certeine noble Normans his aduersaries to be banished; Stigand
intrudeth himselfe into archbishop Roberts see, his simonie and lacke
of learning; what maner of men were thought meet to be made bishops
in those daies, king Edward beginneth to prouide for the good and
prosperous state of his kingdome, his consideration of lawes made in
his predecessours times and abused; the lawes of S. Edward vsuallie
called the common lawes, how, whereof, and wherevpon instituted; the
death of earle Goodwine being sudden (as some say) or naturall (as
others report) his vertues and vices, his behauiour and his sonnes
vpon presumption and will in the time of their authorities; his two
wiues and children; the sudden and dreadfull death of his mother; hir
selling of the beautifull youth male and female of this land to the
Danish people._
THE FOURTH CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: William duke of Normandie commeth ouer into England.]
The foresaide William duke of Normandie (that after conquered this
land) during the time of Goodwines outlawrie, came ouer into this land
with a faire retinue of men, and was ioifullie receiued of the king,
and had great cheere. Now after he had taried a season, he returned
into his countrie, not without great gifts of jewels and other things,
[Sidenote: _Polydor_. K. Edwards promise to duke William.]
which the king most liberallie bestowed vpon him. And (as some
write) the king promised him at that time, to make him his heire to
the realme of England, if he chanced to die without issue.
|