EDWARD THE CONFESSOR. 235

perceived, that lie could no longer rely on the c H 4oaths and promises, which he had extorted from ni *him. But the English nobleman was now in sucha situation , that he deemed it no longer necessaryto dissemble. He had, in his conduct towardsthe Northumbrians, given such a specimen of hismoderation as had gained him the affections ofhis countrymen. He saw, that almost all tnglandwas engaged in his interests; while he himselfpossessed the government of Wessex, Morcarthat of Northumberland, and Edwin that ofIVlercia. He now openly aspired to the succession ;and insisted, that, since it was necessary, by theconfession of all, to set aside the royal family,on account of the imbecility of Edgar, the solesurviving heir, there was no one so capable offilling the throne , as a nobleman, of greatpower, of mature age, of long experience, ofapproved courage and abilities, who, being anative of the kingdom , would effectually secureit against the dominion and tyranny of foreigners.Edward, broken with age and infirmities, sawthe difficulties too great for him to encounter;and though his inveterate prepossessions kept himfrom seconding the pretensions of Harold , he tookbut feeble and irresolute steps for securing thesuccession to the duke of Normandy While hecontinued in this uncertainty, he was surprisedby sickness, which brought him to his grave,

sr

See note sF] at the end of the volume.