[Sidenote: An ambassage from Normandie.]
Whilest Harold went about thus to steale the peoples good willes,
there came ouer vnlooked for sundrie ambassadours from William the
bastard duke of Normandie, with commission to require him to remember
his oth sometime made to the said William in the time of his
extremitie, which was, that he the said Harold should aid him in the
obteining of the crowne of England, if king Edward should happen to
die without issue. This couenant he made (as it is supposed) in king
Edwards daies, when (by licence of the same Edward, or rather (as
Edmerus writeth) against his will) he went ouer into Normandie to
visit his brethren, which laie there as pledges.
[Sidenote: K. Harolds answer.]
Howbeit at this present, Harolds answer to the said ambassadors
was, that he would be readie to gratifie the duke in all that he could
demand, so that he would not aske the realme, which alreadie he
[Sidenote: _Eadmerus_.]
had in his full possession. And further he declared vnto them (as some
write) that as for the oth which he had made in times past vnto duke
[Sidenote: _Matth.
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