HAROLD.

239

intelligence of Harold’s intrigues and accession,had been moved to the highest pitch of indignation ;but that he might give the better colour to hispretensions, he sent an embassy to England,upbraiding that prince with his breach of faithand summoning him to resign immediately the pos-session of the kingdom. Harold replied to theMorman ambassadors, that the oath, with whichhe was reproached, had been extorted by thewell-grounded fear of violence, and could neverfor that reason, be regarded as obligatory i Thathe had had no commission, either from the lateking or the states of England, who alone coulddispose of the crown, to make any tender of thesuccession to the duke of Normandy; and if he,a private person , had assumed so much authority,and had even voluntarily sworn to support theduke’s pretensions, the oath was unlawful, andit was his duty to seize the first opportunity ofbreaking it: That he had obtained the crownby the unanimous suffrages of the people; andshould prove himself totally unworthy of theirfavour, did he not strenuously maintain thosenational liberties , with whose protection they hadentrusted him: And that the duke, if he made anyattempt by force of arms , should experience thepower of an united nation, conducted by a prince,who , sensible of the obligations imposed on himby his royal dignity , was determined, that thefame moment should put a period to his life andto his government S! .

” W. Malm. p. 99. Higden, p. 285. Matth. West.p. 222. Dsj Cell. lingl. incerto auctore , p. 33 u

H AIII.