contingency which was perhaps impossible and certainly unlikely.

The memorials of these times, so full on some points, are meagre on
others. Of those writers who mention the bequest or promise none
mention it at any time when it is supposed to have happened; they
mention it at some later time when it began to be of practical
importance. No English writer speaks of William's claim till the
time when he was about practically to assert it; no Norman writer
speaks of it till he tells the tale of Harold's visit and oath to
William. We therefore cannot say how far the promise was known
either in England or on the continent. But it could not be kept
altogether hid, even if either party wished it to be hid. English
statesmen must have known of it, and must have guided their policy
accordingly, whether it was generally known in the country or not.
William's position, both in his own duchy and among neighbouring
princes, would be greatly improved if he could be looked upon as a
future king. As heir to the crown of England, he may have more
earnestly wooed the descendant of former wearers of the crown; and
Matilda and her father may have looked more favourably on a suitor
to whom the crown of England was promised. On the other hand, the
existence of such a foreign claimant made it more needful than ever
for Englishmen to be ready with an English successor, in the royal
house or out of it, the moment the reigning king should pass away.


It was only for a short time that William could have had any
reasonable hope of a peaceful succession. The time of Norman
influence in England was short. The revolution of September 1052
brought Godwine back, and placed the rule of England again in
English hands. Many Normans were banished, above all Archbishop