Harold himself feels the obligation far more than anyone else, and had
there been any other Englishman who could have united the people as well as
he could himself, he would gladly have stood aside; but there is none such,
and he had no choice but to accept the decision of the Witan, and, for the
sake of England, to lay aside his own scruples. The late king, too,
nominated him as his successor, and although his voice had no legal weight,
he is now regarded as almost a saint among the people. The fact, therefore,
that he, full of piety and religion as he was, should have held that
Harold's oath in no way prevented the people from choosing him, has gone
very far to satisfy any scruples that might have been felt."
"Edward at one time named me as his successor," the duke said shortly.
"So I have heard, my lord duke; but as he grew in years and learned more of
English feeling and character he became fully aware that the people would
accept no foreign prince, and that only the man who had for thirteen years
governed in his name could be their choice."
"And the great earls and thanes are likewise of that opinion?"
"Assuredly in Anglia and Wessex they are so. I know not the minds of Earls
Morcar and Edwin, but they were at the Witan and stood by his side at the
coronation, and doubtless felt that they could not rely upon their own
people if they attempted any open opposition to Harold."
"And you will support this usurper against me, Wulf?"
"I shall fight, my lord duke, for the king chosen by the people of England.
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