Chapter IX

Summary

Here begins the kingdom of the Normans in England

First it is necessary to make clear the original reason why William, duke of the Normans, invaded England and then we must return to the Normans’ deeds as monarchs of that country. A serious quarrel arose between King Edward and Earl Godwine and the earl was banished from England, along with his men. When he later asked the king's pardon, he was allowed to return after he had handed over hostages, namely his son Wulfnoth and Hakon, son of his son. But the king sent these hostages to Duke William in Normandy for safekeeping.

When Earl Godwine died, his son Harold sought the king's permission to go to Normandy and bring his brother and his nephew back with him as free men. ‘I cannot make that happen,’ the king said to him, ‘but, so that I am not perceived to be putting obstacles in your way, I give you leave to try and see what you can achieve. I foresee, however, that your going will be to the detriment of the whole of England.’ So Harold embarked on a ship and was driven by a storm into Ponthieu, where he was held as a captive by the lord of that country. Duke William, on hearing of this through a messenger from Harold, at first failed to free him with entreaties but then succeeded in doing so with money and, when Harold came to him, he received him with honour. Once he heard why Harold had come, the duke responded to him kindly and eventually he revealed his own plans to Harold. William explained that King Edward, while staying with him in Normandy when they were both young men, had promised and pledged his oath that, if he ever became king of England and did not have an heir, he would pass on to him, through a law of inheritance, the right to rule after his death. And hoc ipso amminiculaturum sposponderis et castellum Dofris cum puteo aquæ te michi facturum, sororemque tuam uni de principibus meis te daturum, filiamque meam te in coniugem accepturum, et modo nepotem tuum, et cum in Angliam regnaturus uenero, fratrem tuum incolumem recipies. In quo regno si fauore tuo confirmatus fuero, quod a me rationabiliter petieris optinebis.’