Edward established on the throne of England by the power of earl Godwin--Edward marries Editha, the earl's daughter-- Description of the Lady Editha, by Ingulphus--Godwin's jealousy of the Norman favourites, who surrounded Edward--Friendless state of Edward the Confessor, when he arrived in England-- Changes produced by the arrival of the Normans in the Saxon court--Independence of Godwin and his sons--Emma banished by her son Edward--Threatened invasion of Magnus, king of Norway--The Saxons and Danes alike jealous of the Norman favourites--Eustace, count of Boulogne, visits king Edward-- His conduct at Dover--Several of the count's followers are slain--Earl Godwin refuses to punish the inhabitants of Dover for their attack on Count Eustace--The Normans endeavour to overthrow Earl Godwin--He refuses to attend the council at Gloucester--Earl Godwin and his sons have recourse to arms-- The Danes refuse to attack the Saxons in king Edwin's quarrel-- Banishment of the Saxon earl and his sons--Sufferings of queen Editha p. 282 CHAPTER XXXV. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR. Description of the English court, after the banishment of Earl Godwin--William, the Norman, surnamed the Bastard, and the Conqueror, arrives in England--William's parentage--Sketch of his father, surnamed Robert the Devil--His pilgrimage to Rome, and death--Bold and daring character of William the Norman-- His cruel conduct to the prisoners of Alençon--His delight on visiting England--Circumstances in his favour for obtaining the crown of England--Return, and triumph of Earl Godwin-- England again on the verge of a civil war--Departure of the Norman favourites--Sketch of the English court after the return of the Saxon earl--Death of Godwin--Siward the Strong-- Rise of Harold, the son of earl Godwin--Imbecility of Edward the Confessor--Harold's victory over the Welsh--Conduct of Tostig, the brother of Harold--Coldness of the church of Rome towards England--struggle of Benedict and Stigand for the pallium--Mediation of Lanfranc--William the Norman becomes a favourite with the Roman pontiff--Suspicious death of Edward, the son of Edmund Ironside--Edward the Confessor suspects the designs of William the Conqueror--Harold, the son of Godwin, obtains permission to visit Normandy p. 296 CHAPTER XXXVI. EARL HAROLD'S VISIT TO NORMANDY.