Harold in reply sent back a full
answer to William's claims. He admitted that Edward had promised the crown
to William, but he said that according to the law of England a man might at
any time revoke his will, and this Edward had done, and had named him as
his successor. As to the oath he himself had sworn, he maintained that it
was an extorted oath, and therefore of no binding force. Finally, he
offered rich gifts to William if he would depart quietly, but added that if
he was bent on war he would meet him in battle on the coming Saturday.
It is probable that William's insolent message was meant to have the effect
of inducing Harold to march against him. The Norman position was a very
strong one, and had been carefully fortified, and he hoped that Harold
would attempt to storm it. Gurth urged his brother to remain in London,
while he himself went with the army to battle. A large number of the levies
had as yet not come in, and with these, should the first battle be
unsuccessful, another army could be gathered to continue the struggle.
Moreover, whether the oath Harold had sworn was binding or not, he had
sworn, and it were better that another who was perfectly free in his
conscience should lead the English to battle.
Then, too, Gurth urged, if he himself was slain, it would matter
comparatively little, while Harold's death would jeopardize the whole
kingdom. He prayed him therefore to stay in London, and to gather another
and greater force, and to lay waste the whole land between London and the
coast, so that the Normans, whether successful or not in their first
battle, would be starved into a departure from the land.
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