EDWARD THE CONFESSOR.

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considerable , that he ventured to take the field; c it aand marching to London , he summoned a great U1 ‘council to judge of the rebellion of Godwinand his sons. These noblemen pretend-ed at first that they were willing to standtheir trial; but having in vain endeavoured tomake their adherents persist in rebellion , theyoffered to come to London, provided they mightreceive hostages for their safety: This proposalbeing rejected , they were obliged to disbandthe remains of their forces , and to have recourseto flight. Baldwin , earl of Flanders , gaveprotection to Godwin and his three sons, Gurth ,

Sweyn , and Tosti; the latter of whom had mar-ried the daughter of that prince : Harold andLeofwin, two others of his sons, took flielterin Ireland. The estates of the father and sonswere confiscated : Their governments were givento others : Queen Editha was confined in amonastery at Warewel : And the greatness ofthis family, once so formidable, seemed now tobe totally supplanted and overthrown.

But Godwin had fixed his authority on toofirm a basis, and he was too strongly supportedby alliances both foreign and domestic, not tooccasion farther disturbances , and make newefforts for his re-establifhment. The earl of Flanders icii,permitted him to purchase and hire sibips withinbis harbours; and Godwin, having manned themwith his followers, and with free booters of allnations, put to sea, and attempted to make adescent at Sandwich. The king, informed os

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