tgo HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

iii.

1OOT »

Settlementof the Nor-mans.

tlieir efforts : They were invited over by theircountrymen in Normandy, who at this time werehard pressed by the arms of Robert, king ofFrance, and who found it difficult to defend thesettlement, which, with so much advantage tothemselves and glory to their nation , they hadmade in that country. It is probable, also, thatFtbelred , observing the close connexions thusmaintained among all the Danes, however dividedin government or situation, was desirous ofform-ing an alliance with that formidable people : Forthis purpose, being now a widower, he madehis addresses to Emma , sister to Richard II. dukeof Normandy , and he soon succeeded in hisnegotiation. The princess came over this year toEngland, and was married to Ethelred '.

In the end of the ninth and beginning of thetenth century; when the north, not yet exhaustedby that multitude of people or rather nations ,which site had successively emitted , sent forth anew race , not of conquerors , as before , but ofpirates and ravagers , who infested the countriespossessed by her once warlike sons ; lived Rollo,a petty prince or chieftain in Denmark , whosevalour and abilities soon engaged the attention ofhis countrymen He was exposed in his youthto the jealousy of the king of Denmark , whoattacked his small, but independent principality;and who , being foiled in every assault, had recourseat last to perfidy for effectuating his purpose,

H. Hunt. p. 359, Higden, p. 271.