sent. But in addition to this, William, in order that everything might be definitively settled, having brought some relics of saints, led Harold to attest, by taking an oath upon them, that he would in deed fulfil everything that had been agreed upon between them. These matters being concluded, Harold received his nephew and returned to his country ; but when, in answer to the king's enquiries, he informed him of what had happened and what he had done, he answered, " Did I not teU you that I knew duke William well, and that, in eonsequence of your journey, great evils might result to this kingdom ? I foresee that, by this conduct of yours, great misfortunes will befaB our country ; and I only pray that Divine Providence wiB grant that they come not in my day." Shortly after, king Edward departed this life, and, as he hjfl_appomtecl^revKyusly to his death, Jffarold succeeded him mtheTungdqn^ TmTEs71Ìùk>WiUiam "sent him word, that although^ violating his oath, he had not observed his promise in other respects, stiB, if he would marry his daughter he would put up with what he had done, but, if not, he would without doubt assert his right to the promised succession to the kingdom by force of arms. But Harold would neither say that he was ready to comply with the one alternative, nor that he feared the other ; at which, William being indignant, was inspired with great hopes of conquering England by reason of this unjust conduct of Harold. Having, therefore, prepared a considerable fleet, he saUed for England, and a severe engagement taking place, Harold was slain in battle, and WiBiam being victorious, ob-tained the kingdom. Some of the Franks still give an account of19 the circum-stances of this battle who were there present. But although there were various chances of success on the one side and the other, stiïl, there was such great slaughter and disorder caused by the Normans, that the victory which they gained must without doubt be ascribed to the judgment of God, who by punishing the crime of perjury shows that he is a God who abhors unrighteousness. On hearing of the death of king Harold, the earls Edwin 29 " Adirne" can hardly mean " at the present day," in allusion to oral testimony ; as our author lived nearly a hundred years after the time of William the Conqueror. 138 ANNALS OF ROGER DE HOVEDEN. A.D. 1066.