WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 305

That they might not, however, be altogether cwanting to themselves in this extreme necellity,the English took some steps towards adjusting theirdisjointed government , and uniting themselvesagainst the common enemy. The two potentearls , Edwin and Morcar, who had fled toLondon with the remains of the broken army,took the lead on this occasion : In concert withStigand , archbishop of Canterbury , a manpossessed of great authority, and of ample revenues,they proclaimed Edgar, and endeavoured to putthe people in a posture of defence , and encouragethem to resist the Normans \ But the terror ofthe late defeat , and the near neighbourhood ofthe invaders, increased the confusion, inseparablefrom great revolutions ; and every resolutionproposed was hasty, fluctuating, tumultuary;disconcerted by sear or faction ; ill planned, andworse executed.

William , that his enemies might have noleisure to recover from their consternation orunite their counsels , immediately put himself inmotion after his victory , and resolved to prose-cute an enterprise, which nothing but celerityand vigour could render finally successful. Hisfirst attempt was against Romney , whose inha-bitants he severely punished , on account of theircruel treatment of some Norman seamen andsoldiers, who had been carried thither by stress

siul. Pictav. p. 205, Order, Vitalis, p. 502. Hoyeden^p. 449. Knyghton, p. 2343.

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