3 i4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

C H AIV.1067 .

turn to

Kormandy

March.

a. himself, whenever he pleased, the power ofassuming that character.

By this mixture , however, of vigor and lenity,he had so soothed the minds of the English , thathe thought he might safely revisit his nativecountry , and enjov the triumph and congratulationof his ancient subjects. He left the administrationin the hands of his uterine brother, Odo, bishopof Baieux, and of William Fitz Osberne. That theirauthority might be exposed to less danger, hecarried over with him all the most considerablenobility of England, who, while they served to gracehis court bv their presence and magnificent retinues,were in reality hostages for the fidelity of thenation. Among these, were Edgar Athehng,Stigand the primate , the earls Edwin andIVIorcar,Waltheof, the son of the brave ear! Siward,with others, eminent for the greatness of theirfortunes and families, or for their ecclesiasticaland civil dignities. He was visited at the abbeyof Fescamp , where he resided during some time,by Rodulph , uncle to the king of France, andby many powerful princes and nobles, who,having contributed to his enterprize, weredesirous of participating in the joy and advantagesof its success. His English courtiers , willing toingratiate themselves with their new sovereign,outvied each otherin equipages and entertainments;and made a display of riches, which struck theforeigners with astonishment. William of Poictiers,a Norman historian 17 , who was present, speaks

17 P. 211 , 212.