In particular he ordered the royal officers to do justice to all men of whatever estate, and not to exact money wrongfully under pretext of the royal necessities. "I have no need," he says, "of money gathered by unrighteousness." There is also a famous story told of him by Henry of Huntingdon, which shows that he was not blinded by the greatness of his position, but estimated his authority at its true value. He was at Southampton; and there, in answer probably to some over-charged flatteries from his courtiers, bade a chair be placed at the water's edge, challenging the sea at the same time to wet the feet of him whose ships sailed over it, and against whose land it dashed. The tide came rushing in, and soon it had wetted the feet and clothes of the king. Then he turned to his followers and said, "Behold how feeble is the power of kings and of men, for the waves will not hear my voice. Honour the Lord only, and serve him, for to him all things give obedience." Men lived hard in those days, and the span of life was short, for when Canute died, in 1035, he was only forty years old. CHAPTER IX. EARL GODWIN AND HAROLD. Harold and Harthacanute--The Murder of Alfred--Accession of Harthacanute--His Reconciliation with Godwin--The Punishment of Worcester--Edward the Confessor--His Election--Influx of Normans--The Family of Godwin--Conduct of Sweyn--The Outbreak at Dover--Godwin's Rebellion and Outlawry--William of Normandy's Visit to England--Godwin's Attempt to Return--His Appearance in the Thames--His Restoration to Power--Death of Godwin--His Place taken by Harold--Siward's Invasion of Scotland and his Death--Death of Leofric and Punishment of Ælfgar--Church Building of Harold and Edward--Harold's Conquest of Wales--Turbulence of Tostig--Death of the Atheling Edward--Candidature of Harold.