land. It was now merely growing into importance, and it was as yet
undefended by walls or castle. But when the ravagers turned
eastward, William found the opportunity that he had waited for. As
the French were crossing the ford of Varaville on the Dive, near
the mouth of that river, he came suddenly on them, and slaughtered
a large part of the army under the eyes of the king who had already
crossed. The remnant marched out of Normandy.

Henry now made peace, and restored Tillieres. Not long after, in
1060, the King died, leaving his young son Philip, who had been
already crowned, as his successor, under the guardianship of
William's father-in-law Baldwin. Geoffrey of Anjou and William of
Aquitaine also died, and the Angevin power was weakened by the
division of Geoffrey's dominions between his nephews. William's
position was greatly strengthened, now that France, under the new
regent, had become friendly, while Anjou was no longer able to do
mischief. William had now nothing to fear from his neighbours, and
the way was soon opened for his great continental conquest. But
what effect had these events on William's views on England? About
the time of the second French invasion of Normandy Earl Harold
became beyond doubt the first man in England, and for the first
time a chance of the royal succession was opened to him. In 1057,
the year before Varaville, the AEtheling Edward, the King's
selected successor, died soon after his coming to England; in the
same year died the King's nephew Earl Ralph and Leofric Earl of the
Mercians, the only Englishmen whose influence could at all compare
with that of Harold. Harold's succession now became possible; it
became even likely, if Edward should die while Edgar the son of the
AEtheling was still under age. William had no shadow of excuse for
interfering, but he doubtless was watching the internal affairs of