EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, 227

for reducing the power of a vassal , who had coriginally acquired hi? _s et R ement in so violentand invidious a manner , and who had long ap-peared formidable to his sovereign A The regencyestablished by Robert encountered great difficultiesin supporting the government under this compli-cation of dangers ; and the young prince , whenhe came to maturity, found himself reduced toa very low condition. But the great qualities ,which he soon displayed in the held and in thecabinet, gave encouragement to his friends, andstruck a terror into his enemies. He opposedhimself on all sides against his rebellious subjects,and against foreign invaders; and by his valourand conduct prevailed in every action. Heobliged the French king to grant him peace onreasonable terms ; he expelled all pretenders to thesovereignty ; and he reduced his turbulent baronsto pay submission to his authority, and to suspendtheir mutual animosities. The natural severityot his temper appeared in a rigorous administrationof justice ; and having found the happy effects ofthis plan of government, without which the lawsin those ages became totally impotent, he regardedit as a fixed maxim, that an inflexible conductWas the first duty of a sovereign.

The tranquillity, which he had established inhis dominions, had given William leisure to paya visit to the king of England during the timeof Godwin’s banishment ; and he was received

a

HAP,

III.

W. Malm. p. 97.