were come over by an orator who was neither Norman nor English, but
one of his foreign followers, Haimer Viscount of Thouars. The
debate was most likely got up at William's bidding, but it was not
got up without a motive. William, ever seeking outward legality,
seeking to do things peaceably when they could be done peaceably,
seeking for means to put every possible enemy in the wrong, wished
to make his acceptance of the English crown as formally regular as
might be. Strong as he held his claim to be by the gift of Edward,
it would be better to be, if not strictly chosen, at least
peacefully accepted, by the chief men of England. It might some
day serve his purpose to say that the crown had been offered to
him, and that he had accepted it only after a debate in which the
chief speaker was an impartial stranger. Having gained this point
more, William set out from Berkhampstead, already, in outward form,
King-elect of the English.

The rite which was to change him from king-elect into full king
took place in Eadward's church of Westminster on Christmas day,
1066, somewhat more than two months after the great battle,
somewhat less than twelve months after the death of Edward and the
coronation of Harold. Nothing that was needed for a lawful
crowning was lacking. The consent of the people, the oath of the
king, the anointing by the hands of a lawful metropolitan, all were
there. Ealdred acted as the actual celebrant, while Stigand took
the second place in the ceremony. But this outward harmony between
the nation and its new king was marred by an unhappy accident.
Norman horsemen stationed outside the church mistook the shout with
which the people accepted the new king for the shout of men who
were doing him damage. But instead of going to his help, they
began, in true Norman fashion, to set fire to the neighbouring