Perhaps it is better as it is; for now that William
is victorious he will soon receive large bodies of reinforcements, and as
resistance would be vain, it were best that no resistance were made. Duke
William has shown himself a wise and just ruler in Normandy, and will
doubtless prove himself the same in England if he be not angered by revolts
and risings. It is hard that Englishmen should be ruled by a foreigner, but
it is no new thing for us. We Saxons conquered the Britons, and in turn
Danish kings have ruled over us; but Saxon and Dane have become almost one,
and the old grudges have died out. Maybe in time you Normans also may
become English."
"You would take the oath of allegiance to William then, Wulf?"
"Not now, my lord, but when England accepts him as her king I should be
willing to hold my lands from him as I have held them before from our
kings, that is, if the lands remain mine."
"They will remain yours," Lord de Burg said confidently. "The duke's
promise was publicly made, and he will certainly adhere to it; even if he
wished it, he could not, after charging Harold with perjury, break his own
promise."
The sun was sinking when they reached Pevensey, for the search for Harold's
body and the building of his cairn had occupied many hours. They went at
once on board one of the ships De Burg had himself furnished for the
expedition, and two days later landed at Rouen. They had brought horses
with them, and the two young thanes at once rode with the baron to his
chateau, leaving Osgod to be brought after them in his litter.
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