The ambition of Harold soon made him forget an oath which had been extorted by necessity ; and the discovery of Edward's design prompted him the more to strengthen his power, and augment the number of his friends. He took every opportunity of encouraging the English in their hatred to the Normans, and always deprecated their subjection to foreign influence. He thus attempted to reconcile then) to his succession ; and, by a show of great power and influence, he deter red Edward from openly declaring his intention in fa vour of William.
About this time, Harold also acquired very general favour, by an opportunity which he had of displaying his abilities and justice. The Welch, under their prince Griffith, had made repeated inroads, and committed great depredations on the frontiers, and had been always able to shelter themselves from pursuit among their in accessible mountains. Harold was determined to re press these troublesome plunderers. He attacked them both by sea and laud, and followed up his successes with such vigour, that, in order to save themselves from total destruction, they were compelled to deliver up the head of their prince, and submit themselves to the authority of Edward.
An insurrection had also broken out among the Northumbrians, which was headed by Morear, Duke of Mercia, and his brother Edwin; and which had been occasioned by the tyrannical temper and injustice of Duke Tosti. l larold was commanded by the king to repress the insurgents ; and he marched a considerable army into Northumberland for this purpose: but, before coming to action, Morcar, relying on the generous dis position of his opponent, requested to be heard in his own defence ; when he represented, in such strong colours, the cruelties and indignities which the North umbrians had suffered from Tosti, and their determi nation to perish rather than be exposed to a renewal of them, th:a Harold abandoned his brether's cause, and refused to be the instrument of his tyranny. He even persuaded Edward to transfer the dukedom to \Iorcar, whose sister he soon after married ; and, by his inte rest, procured the government of 111ercia for Edwin. This marriage was the first circumstance which open ed the eyes of William to the insincerity of Harold ; but this nobleman had so secured the affections of his countrymen, that he now openly declared his preten sions to the throne.
Edward, worn out with age, weak and irresolute, though hostile to the claims of Harold, yet employed no decisive measures for securing the succession to the Duke of Normandy ; and, while still undetermined how to act, he was cut off by death in the 65th year of his age, and 25th of his reign. Harold immediate lv ascended the throne without opposition. The voice of the people supported his claim, and he was crown ed the day after Edward's death, by Aldred, archbishop of York. His private virtues also entitled him to a crown, which might be considered as elective; but he possessed but for a short time what he was so worthy and able to wear. William of Normandy could not conceal his disappointment, at the intelligence of Ha rold's exaltation : he had indulged himself with the hope of an easy accession to the crown of England ; but he now saw it torn from his brow, by one equal in abilities to himself, and who had acquired, by his many virtues, the love and confidence of his subjects. His indigna tion burst forth in menaces and upbraidings: he dis patched an embassy to Harold to reproach him with his breach of faith, and to demand an immediate re signation of the throne of England, of which, by the will of Edward, he was the rightful heir. Harold cool ly replied, that an oath was only binding when volun tary: his was extorted by fear, and therefore could not be regarded as obligatory. He had obtained the crown by the unanimous voice of the nation : he should prove himself worthy of their choice, by maintaining to the last those liberties which they had entrusted to him; and he was determined to lose his kingdom only with his life. William was prepared for this answer; and, as he had resolved upon prosecuting his claim by force of arms, he continued his levies. His intention was no sooner made known, than he was joined by numerous adventurers from different parts of Europe, who, im patient of peace and tranquillity, were ready to em bark in any enterprize which promised them plunder or renown. He thus found no difficulty of completing his armament, which, besides his own troops, who were distinguished for their valour and discipline, was com posed of the flower of the continental warriors, com manded by the most celebrated champions of the age. He was also encouraged by the Emperor Henry IV.