A.D. 1051. FLIGHT OF GODWIN. 117 However, they came at first with a few only ; but when they knew how the matter stood, they sent through their earldoms swift messengers on horseback, and collected a large army. In like manner, earl Eodulph, son of Goda, sister of king Edward, collected as many as he eould in his earldom. In the. meantime, Godwin and his sons, after the nativity of Saint Mary, coming with their forces into the province of Gloucester, pitehed their camp at a place whieh is called Langeto, and sending ambassadors to the king at Gloucester, under the threat of making war, demanded the surrender of earl Eustace, and his allies as well, both Normans' and men of Boulogne, who had taken possession of the castle on the hiB of Dover. In eonsequenee of this, the king was for the moment greatly alarmed, and, being afflicted with great anguish, was utterly at a loss to know what to do ; but when he understood that the army earls Siward, Leofrie, and Bodulph were approaching, he determinedly made answer that he would on no account give up Eustace and the others who were demanded ; on hearing which, the messengers returned empty-handed. After their departure the army entered Gloucester, being prepared for battle with such hostile and resolute spirit, that they wished to engage immediately with earl Godwin's army, if the king would permit them. But, inasmuch as the best men in aB England were assembled together on his side and theirs, it seemed to earl Leofrie and some others, to be the more prudent part not to begin a battle with their feUow-eountrymen ; but they proposed that, exchanging hostages, the king and Godwin should, on a day named, meet at London for a conference. This counsel being approved of, and messages interchanged, and hostages given and received, the earl returned into # Wessex; but the king assembled a more numerous army from the whole of Mereia and Northumbria, and led it with him to London. On the other hand, Godwin and his sons came to Southweorc,98 with a great multitude of the men of Wessex; but, as his army had graduaUy diminished, he did not dare to come to the conference with the king, but on the approach of night, took to flight. Wherefore, next morning, the king in council, and by the unanimous consent of his army, pronounced sentence of banishment against him and his five sons ; on which he, with his wife Githa, and Tosti, ,j Southwark.