HAROLD.

241

The Normans , as they had long been distin- chap.

guifhed by valour among all the European nations, m.

bad at this time attained to the highest pitch of

military glory. Besides acquiring by arms such

a noble territory in France, besides defending it

against continual attempts of the French monarch

and all its neighbours, besides exerting many acts

of vigour under their present sovereign ; they had,

about this very time, revived their ancient fame,

by the most hazardous exploits, and the most

wonderful successes, in the other extremity of

Europe. A few Norman adventurers in Italy had

acquired such an ascendant, not only over the

Italians and Greeks, but the Germans and Saracens,

( *that they expelled those foreigners , procured to

themselves ample establishments,and laid the founda-tion of the opulent kingdom of Naples and SicilyThese enterprizes of men, who were all of themvassals in Normandy, many of them banished forfaction and rebellion , excited the ambition of thehaughty William; who dislained, after suchexamples of fortune and valour, to be deterredfrom making an attack on a neighbouring country,where he could be supported by the whole forceof his principality.

The situation also of Europe inspired Williamwith hopes, that, besides his brave Normans, hemight employ against England the flower of themilitary force , which was dispersed in all theneighbouring states. France, Germany, and thd

iS Gul. Gemet. lib. 7. cap. 30.

Vol. I.

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