CHAPTER XXXV

.

EDWARD THE CONFESSOR.

Description of the English court, after the banishment of Earl Godwin--William, the Norman, surnamed the Bastard, and the Conqueror, arrives in England--William's parentage--Sketch of his father, surnamed Robert the Devil--His pilgrimage to Rome, and death--Bold and daring character of William the Norman-- His cruel conduct to the prisoners of Alençon--His delight on visiting England--Circumstances in his favour for obtaining the crown of England--Return, and triumph of Earl Godwin-- England again on the verge of a civil war--Departure of the Norman favourites--Sketch of the English court after the return of the Saxon earl--Death of Godwin--Siward the Strong-- Rise of Harold, the son of earl Godwin--Imbecility of Edward the Confessor--Harold's victory over the Welsh--Conduct of Tostig, the brother of Harold--Coldness of the church of Rome towards England--struggle of Benedict and Stigand for the pallium--Mediation of Lanfranc--William the Norman becomes a favourite with the Roman pontiff--Suspicious death of Edward, the son of Edmund Ironside--Edward the Confessor suspects the designs of William the Conqueror--Harold, the son of Godwin, obtains permission to visit Normandy p. 296

##