HAROLD.

24?

his abilities, had long maintained a pfe-eminence camong those haughty chieftains; and every onewho desired to signalize himself by his address inmilitary exercises, or his valour in action, hadbeen ambitious of acquiring a reputation in thecourt, and in the armies of'Normandy. Entertainedwith that hospitality and courtesy, which distin-guished the age, they had formed attachments tothe prince, and greedily attended to the prospects ofthe signal glory and elevation , which be promisedthem in return for their concurrence in an expe-dition against England. The more grandeur thereappeared in the attempt, the more it suited theirromantic spirit: The fame of the intended invasionwas already diffused every where: Multitudescrowded to tender to the duke their service, withthat of their vassals and retainers >7 : And Williamfound less difficulty in compleating his levies ithan in chusing the most veteran forces, and inrejecting the offers of those , who were impatientto acquire fame under so renowned a leader.

BeiSI DES these advantages, which William owedto his personal valour and good conduct; he wasindebted to fortune for procuring him some'assistance, and also for removing many obstacles,which it was natural for him to expect in anundertaking, in which all his neighbours wereso deeply interested. Conan, count of Britanny,was his mortal enemy : In order to throw a damp

*■' Cul. Piclavensis, p, 198.

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111 .