West._]
William, the same was but a constreined & no voluntarie oth, which
in law is nothing; since thereby he tooke vpon him to grant that which
was not in his power to giue, he being but a subiect whilest king
Edward was liuing. For if a promised vow or oth which a maid maketh
concerning the bestowing of hir bodie in hir fathers house, without
his consent, is made void; much more an oth by him made that was
a subiect, and vnder the rule of a king, without his souereignes
consent, ought to be void and of no value. He alledged moreouer, that
as for him to take an oth to deliuer the inheritance of anie realme
without the generall consent of the estates of the same, could not be
other than a great peece of presumption, yea although he might haue
iust title therevnto; so it was an vnreasonable request of the duke
at this present to will him to renounce the kingdome, the gouernance
whereof he had alreadie taken vpon him, with so great fauor and good
liking of all men.
[Sidenote: Duke William eftsoones sendeth to king Harold.
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