Harold shipwrecked upon the coast of France--Is made captive, and carried to the fortress of Beaurain--Is released by the intervention of William of Normandy--Harold's interview with Duke William at Rouen--Affected kindness of the Norman duke-- William cautiously unfolds his designs on the crown of England-- His proposition to Harold--Offers Harold his daughter, Adeliza, in marriage--Duke William's stratagem--Harold's oath on the relics of the saints--Description of William the Norman's courtship--Character of Matilda of Flanders--Harold's return to England--The English people alarmed by signs and omens-- Appearance of a comet in England--Description of the death of Edward the Confessor p. 304 CHAPTER XXXVII. ACCESSION OF HAROLD, THE SON OF GODWIN. Harold elected king of England by the Saxon witenagemot-- Becomes a great favourite with his subjects--Restores the Saxon customs--Conduct of William the Norman on hearing that Harold had ascended the throne of England--Tostig, Harold's brother, forms a league with Harold Hardrada, the last of the sea-kings--Character of Harold Hardrada--His adventures in the east--He prepares to land in England--Tostig awaits his arrival in Northumbria--The duke of Normandy's message to Harold king of the Saxons--Harold's answer--He marries the sister of Morkar of Northumbria--Duke William makes preparations for the invasion of England--Arrival of Harold Hardrada with his Norwegian fleet--Superstitious feeling of the Norwegian soldiers--He joins Tostig, the son of Godwin-- They burn Scarborough, and enter the Humber--Harold, by a rapid march, reaches the north--He prevents the surrender of York --Preparation for the battle--Harold surprises the enemy-- Description of the combat--Harold offers peace to his brother --The offer rejected--Description of the battle--Deaths of Harold Hardrada and Tostig--Harold's victory p. 314 CHAPTER XXXVIII. ENGLAND INVADED BY THE NORMANS.