bicause it was a thing of his owne motion, and in his absolute power,
both to grant and to performe. But Harold being of a stout courage,
with proud countenance frowned vpon the Norman ambassadors, and
declared to them that his mind was nothing bent as then to yéeld
therevnto in any maner of wise. And so with other talke tending to
the like effect he sent them away without anie further answer. The
daughter of duke William whome Harold should haue maried, was named
Adeliza, as Gemeticensis saith, and with hir (as the same author
[Sidenote: _Gemeticensis_.]
writeth) it was couenanted by duke William, that Harold should inioy
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
halfe the realme in name of hir dower. Howbeit some write that
this daughter of duke William was departed this life before the
comming of these ambassadors, and that Harold therevpon thought
himselfe discharged of the oth and couenants made to duke William, and
therefore sent them away with such an vntoward answer.

[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
But howsoeuer it was, after the departure of these ambassadors,
king Harold (doubting what would insue) caused his ships to be newlie
rigged, his men of warre to be mustered, and spéedilie put in a
readinesse, to the end that if anie sudden inuasion should be made and
attempted by his enimie, he might be able to resist them. ¶ About the
same time also, and vpon the 24 of Aprill (whilest Harold was making
prouision to withstand the Norman force) there appeared a blasing
starre, which was séene not onelie here in England, but also in other
parts of the world, and continued the space of seuen daies. This
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ _Simon Dun._]
blasing starre might be a prediction of mischéefe imminent &
hanging ouer Harolds head; for they neuer appeare but as prognosticats