A.D. 1052. GODWIN'S FLEET SAILS TJP THE THAMES. 119 await the approach of earl Godwin, and be on the look-out ; but, in spite of this, unknown to them all, returning with a few ships, he landed in Kent, and secretly sending messengers, enticed to his assistance the people of Kent, and afterwards the people of Sussex, Essex, Surrey, and all the mariners of Hastings and of all the parts near the sea-shore, besides some others ; all these with one voice declared that they were ready to live or die for him. When this became known to the king's fleet that lay at the port of Sandwich, it set out in pursuit of him, on which he took to flight, and escaped, concealing himself in whatever place he could. But the king's forces returned to the port of Sandwich, and from there repaired to London. On learning this, earl Godwin returned to the Isle of Wight, and sailed near the shore until his sons Harold and Leofwin came with their fleet ; and when they had met they desisted from plunder and rapine, only, when necessity demanded it, taking provisions for their troops. Enticing to their assistance aB the people they could in the vicinity of the sea-shore and in other places, and picking up aB the mariners they met with, they steered their course towards the port of Sandwich, their arrival at whieh place was reported to king Edward, who was at this period staying at London. Despatching messengers with aU speed, he sent word to all who had not revolted from him, that they must come to his assistance with the greatest haste ; but being very slow in their movements, they did not come in time. In the meantime, earl Godwin coming up the Thames with his fleet against the tide, on the day of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, being the second day of the week, came to South-it weore,1 and waited there until flood-tide. Meanwhile, by means of messengers, he convened certain of the citizens of London whom he had previously brought over by various promises, and caused nearly aB of them to wish entirely as he would have them. After this, aB things being arranged and set in order, on the flood-tide coming, with aB speed they heaved their anchors, and no one on the bridge opposing them, sailed up the river close to the south shore. The land forces also came, and putting themselves in battle array on the bank of the river, presented a dense and terrible » Southwark.