320 HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

chap. result of an impatient humour in the people, thaniv. of any regular conspiracy , which could give themjoss. a rational hope of success against; the establishedpower of the Normans. 1 he inhabitants of Exeter,instigated by Githa, mother to king Harold,refused to admit a Norman garrison , and betak-ing themselves to arms, were strengthened by theaccession of the neighbouring inhabitants ofDevonshire and Cornwal The king hastenedwith his forces to chastise this revolt; and onhis approach, the wiser and more considerablecitizens, sensible of the unequal contest, persuadedthe people to submit, and to deliver hostages fortheir obedience. A sudden mutiny of the populacebroke this agreement; and William, appearingbefore the walls , ordered the eyes of one of thehostages to be put out, as an earnest of thatseverity, which the rebels must expect, if theypersevered in their revolt ". The inhabitantswere anew seized with terror, and surrenderingat discretion , threw themselves at the king’s feet,and supplicated his clemency and forgiveness.William was not destitute of generosity, whenhis temper was not hardened either by policyor passion : He was prevailed on to pardon therebels, and he set guards on all the gates, inorder to prevent the rapacity and insolence ofhis soldiery ' 7 . Githa escaped with her treasuresto Flanders. The malecontents of Cornwal imitatedthe example of Exeter, and met with like treatment:

" Order. Vital. p. Zio. " Ibid. 17 Ibid.

And