H A P,III.

-Z2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

ambition suggested casuistry sufficient to justifyto him the violation of an oath, which had beenextorted from him by sear , and which , if fulfilled,might be attended with the subjection of hisnative country to a foreign power. He continuedstill to practise every art of popularity; to in-crease the number of his partizans; to reconcilethe minds of the English to the idea of his suc-cession; to revive their hatred of the Normans;and by an ostentation of his power and influ-ence, to deter the timorous Edward fromexecuting his intended destination in favour ofWilliam. Fortune, about this time, threw twoincidents m his way, by which he was ena-bled to acquire general favour, and to increasethe character, which he had already attained,of virtue and abilities.

T he Welsh, though a less formidable enemythan the Danes, had long been accustomed to infestthe western borders: And after committing spoil onthe low countries , they usually made a hastyretreat into their mountains, where they weresheltered from the pursuit of their enemies, andwere ready to seize the first favourable opportunityof renewing their depredations. Griffith, thereigning prince, had greatly distinguished him-self in those incursions ; and his name had becomeso terrible to the English , that Harold found hecould do nothing more acceptable to the public,and more honourable for himself, than the sup-pressing of so dangerous an enemy. He formedthe plan of an expedition against Wales; and