A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library . n,and attached to Norman-French customs, which he tried to enforcein his court. He even endeavored to rob the native church of itsnational character by elevating Norman clerics to its highest posi-tions. Not till 1052 was a stop put to this dangerous practice,when a rising, under Duke Godwin of Wessex, relegated Edward,on whom his churchly friends had conferred the equivocal title of the Confessor, to complete insignificance. How much Edwards 94 FRANCE AND ENGLAND UNTIL TUE TWELFTH CENTCHY. weak and unpopu
A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library . n,and attached to Norman-French customs, which he tried to enforcein his court. He even endeavored to rob the native church of itsnational character by elevating Norman clerics to its highest posi-tions. Not till 1052 was a stop put to this dangerous practice,when a rising, under Duke Godwin of Wessex, relegated Edward,on whom his churchly friends had conferred the equivocal title of the Confessor, to complete insignificance. How much Edwards 94 FRANCE AND ENGLAND UNTIL TUE TWELFTH CENTCHY. weak and unpopular rule had alienated the Anglo-Saxon people fromtheir royal house was shown on his death, in 106G. Not EdgarAetheling, the son of Aethelreds brave son Edmund, and the lastscion of the legitimate house, was called to the throne, hut Harold,son of the leader of the opposition to the Confessor. Harold saw himself surrounded on all sides by perils. In thenorth Ids brother Tostig rose against him, supported by the terribleHarold Hardrada, king of Norway, with an innnense army and Fig. 31. — Seal of William the CiiiKiueror. Obverse. (From an impression in the British Museum.) The higher clergy, who during Edwards reign had become denartionalized iinder Roman and Norman influences, were more or lessopenly hostile. But Harolds most dangerous enemy was DukeWilliam of Normandy, who claimed the throne on the score of hiswifes relationship to the royal house, and declared- that Htiroldhad sworn to support his claims (Fig. 30). The papacy sawhere a brilliant opportunity^ for asserting its power over all and sovereignties. Pope Alexander H. sent Duke Williama consecrated banner, and commissioned him to conquer the coiitn-macious Anglo-Saxons, while the church cursed Harold as a usurper. THE NORMAN CONQUEST. 95 While all the penniless adventurers of western Europe gathered inNormandy in response to the summons of William and the pope,Harold defeated and slew his N
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