7. Were there any wars in the reign of Athelstan? 8. Who was Dunstan? 14. Who was Canute, and how did he obtain the throne? 16. What were the chief acts of Canute? 18. How long did Canute reign? 19. What was the general state of the country under his government? 20. Who succeeded Canute? 21. How was the Saxon government restored? 23. How did the king displease his subjects? 24. Why was Edward called the Confessor? 27. When did Edward die, and who succeeded him? CHAPTER VII. THE NORMAN CONQUEST. [Illustration: DEATH OF HAROLD.] 1. As soon as the Duke of Normandy knew that Edward the Confessor was dead, and Harold made king, he called his friends together, and promised to bestow lands and honors in England on all who would assist him to win the crown; which, he said, was his by right, and that Harold was an usurper. 2. Now this is a doubtful question; for, although the king could appoint a successor, if he thought proper; yet it was necessary that his choice should have the approval of the Witenagemote, which had not been given in this case; so the English said that, notwithstanding king Edward’s will, the Duke of Normandy had no right to the throne. 3. I cannot pretend to say which was right; but, as it is of more consequence to know how the dispute ended, we will proceed to the history of the conquest. 4. The Normans were great warriors; so that even many of the clergy would sometimes put on armour under their robes, and lead their own vassals to battle; and they had as much interest in the dispute as the nobles, for they expected to come into possession of some of the Bishops’ sees and rich abbey lands, provided Duke William should succeed in his enterprise. 5. While all this was going on in Normandy, Harold’s brother, Tosti, had raised a rebellion in the north of England, and was joined by the king of Norway, who landed with an army in Yorkshire: so Harold had to go and fight with them, and there was a great battle at Stamford Bridge, where the king gained a complete victory. 6. Two or three days after this he was enjoying himself at a great feast, at York, when news was brought to him that the Normans had landed in Sussex, where they were doing all manner of mischief, driving the people away from the towns and villages, and taking every thing they could lay their hands on. 7. The king made all the haste he could to get his soldiers together, and began his march to oppose the invaders, but it took nearly a fortnight to get to where they were; and all that time the invaders were making dreadful havoc for miles round their camp, so that the terrified people fled to the woods, or shut themselves up in the churches, for fear of being killed.