[Sidenote:  Edward the Confessor, A.D. 1041.]

[Sidenote:  A.D. 1053]

[Sidenote:  A.D. 1066.]

This prince was educated in a monastery, where he learned piety, continence, and humility, but nothing of the art of government.  He was innocent and artless, but his views were narrow, and his genius contemptible.  The character of such a prince is not, therefore, what influences the government, any further than as it puts it in the hands of others.  When he came to the throne, Godwin, Earl of Kent, was the most popular man in England; he possessed a very great estate, an enterprising disposition, and an eloquence beyond the age he lived in; he was arrogant, imperious, assuming, and of a conscience which never put itself in the way of his interest.  He had a considerable share in restoring Edward to the throne of his ancestors; and by this merit, joined to his popularity, he for some time directed everything according to his pleasure.  He intended to fortify his interest by giving in marriage to the king his daughter, a lady of great beauty, great virtue, and an education beyond her sex.  Godwin had, however, powerful rivals in the king’s favor.  This monarch, who possessed many of the private virtues, had a grateful remembrance of his favorable reception in Normandy; he caressed the people of that country, and promoted several to the first places, ecclesiastical and civil, in his kingdom.  This begot an uneasiness in all the English; but Earl Godwin was particularly offended.  The Normans, on the other hand, accused Godwin of a design on the crown, the justice of which imputation the whole tenor of his conduct evinced sufficiently.  But as his cabals began to break into action before they were in perfect ripeness for it, the Norman party prevailed, and Godwin was banished.  This man was not only very popular at home by his generosity and address, but he found means to engage even, foreigners in his interests.  Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, gave him a very kind reception.  By his assistance Godwin fitted out a fleet, hired a competent force, sailed to England, and having near Sandwich deceived the king’s navy, he presented himself at London before he was expected.  The king made ready as great a force as the time would admit to oppose him.  The galleys of Edward and Godwin met on the Thames; but such was the general favor to Godwin, such the popularity of his cause, that the king’s men threw down their arms, and refused to fight against their countrymen in favor of strangers.  Edward was obliged to treat with his own subjects, and in consequence of this treaty to dismiss the Normans, whom he believed to be the best attached to his interests.  Godwin used the power to which he was restored to gratify his personal revenge, showing no mercy to his enemies.  Some of his sons behaved in the most tyrannical manner.  The great lords of the kingdom envied and hated a greatness which annihilated the royal authority, eclipsed them, and oppressed the people; but Godwin’s