permitted them franklie to depart with 20 ships, hauing first caused
them to deliuer such hostages as they had receiued of the citizens
of Yorke. Harold reioising in that he had atteined so glorious a
victorie, and being now surprised with pride and couetousnesse
togither, he diuided the spoile of the field nothing equallie, but
[Sidenote: _M. West._ Vnequall diuiding of the spoile.]
to such as he fauored he distributed liberallie, and to other (though
they had much better deserued) he gaue nothing at all, reteining still
the best part of all to himselfe, by reason whereof he lost the fauor
of manie of his men, who for this his discourtesie, did not a little
alienate their good willes from him. This doone, he repaired to
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
Yorke, and there staied for a time to reforme the disordered state
of the countrie, which by reason of these warres was greatlie out of
frame.

¶ But Harold being more presumptuous and foole-hardie, than prouident
and wise in his enterprise; bending all his force to redresse
enormities in those quarters of Yorkeshire (much like vnto him, whom
the Comediographer marketh for a foole, "Ea tantùm quæ ad pedes iacent
contemplans, non autem ventura præuidens") neglected the kinglie care
which he should haue had of other parts of his realme, from the which
he had withdrawen himselfe, and (as it is likelie) had not left
sufficientlie prouided of a conuenient vicegerent to gouerne the same
by his warranted authoritie, and such fortifications as might expell
and withstand the enimie. Which want of foresight gaue occasion to the
enimie to attempt an inuasion of the English coasts, as in the next
chapt. shall be shewed.

* * * * *