Stirring events followed in quick succession.  General regret was felt among all patriotic Englishmen at the absence of Godwine.  The common voice of England soon began to call for the return of the banished earl, who was looked to by all men as the father of his country.  England now knew that in his fall a fatal blow had been dealt to her own welfare and freedom.  And Godwine, after sending many petitions to the king, vainly petitioning for a reconciliation, determined to return by force, satisfied that the great majority of Englishmen would be less likely to resist him than to join his banners.

Harold sailed from Ireland to meet his father by way of the English Channel.  Godwine sailed up the Thames, and London declared for him.  Panic reigned among the favourites of King Eadward.  The foreigners took to flight, among the fugitives being Archbishop Robert and Bishop Ulf.  The gemot met and decreed the restoration of the earl and the outlawry of many Normans.  The king yielded, and accorded to Godwine the kiss of peace, and a revolution was accomplished of which England may well be proud.

But a tragedy soon followed, in the death of the most renowned Englishman of that generation.  During a meal at the Easter festival Godwine fell from his seat, and died after lying insensible for three days.  Great was the grief of the nation.  Harold, in the years that followed, became so increasingly popular that he was virtually chief ruler of England, even before the death of Eadward, which happened on January 5, 1066.  His burial was followed by the coronation of Harold.  But the moment of struggle was now come.  The English throne had become vacant, and the Norman duke knew how to represent himself as its lawful heir, and to brand the king of the nation’s choice as an usurper.  The days of debate were past, and the sword alone could decide between England and her enemy.

William found one Englishman willing to help him in all his schemes, in the person of Tostig, Harold’s brother, who had been outlawed at the demand of the nation, owing to his unfitness to rule his province as Earl of Northumberland.  He had sunk from bad to worse.  Harold had done all he could for his fallen brother, but to restore him was impossible.  Tostig was at the Norman court, urging William to the invasion of England.  At his own risk, he was allowed to make an incursion on the English coast.  Entering the Humber, he burned several towns and slew many men.  But after these ravages Tostig repaired to ask help of Harold Hardrada, whom he induced to prepare a great expedition.

Harold Hardrada and Tostig landed and marched towards York.  A battle was fought between the Mercians and Norwegians at Fulford, in which the former were worsted, but Harold was marching northward.  In the fearful battle of Stamford Bridge both Harold Hardrada and Tostig were slain, and the Viking host was shattered.  The victorious English king was banqueting in celebration of the great victory, when a messenger appeared who had come at fleetest pace from the distant coast of Sussex.