HAROLD.

247

on whose affections he most relied , he gradually cengaged all of them to advance the sums demanded.The count of Longueville seconded him in thisnegociation; as did the count of IMortaigne, Odobishop of Baieux, and especially William Fitz-Ofborne, count of Breteuii , and constable of thedutchy. livery person , when he himself was onceengaged, endeavoured to bring over others; andat last the states themselves, after stipulating thatthis concession should be no precedent, voted,that they would astist their prince to the utmost inliis intended enterprize ".

William had now assembled a fleet of 3000vcTels, great and small 62 , and had selected an armyof 60,000 men from among those numerous supplies,which from every quarter solicited to be receivedinto his service. The camp bore a splendid, vet amartial appearance, from the discipline of the men,the beauty and vigour of the horses, the lustre of thearms, and the accoutrements of both ; but above all,from the high names of nobility who engagedunder the banners of the duke of Normandy.The most celebrated were Eustace , count ofBoulogne, Aimeri de Thouars, Ifugh d’Estaples,William d’Evrcux , Geoffrey de Rotrou, Rogerde Beaumont, William de Warcnne, Roger deiHontgomeri , Hugh de Grantmesuil , Charles

Camden. Introd. ad Britann. p. 212. 2d edit. Gibs.Verstegan, p. 173.

*' Gul. Gsmet. lib. 7. eap. 34,.

■R 4

11 it r.ni.