no little alteration; the nobles, by degrees, uſurped an authority which the laws had not entitled them to; they limited the prerogative of the King; and invaded the rights of the people, ſo that the government in England continually approached towards an Ariſtocracy. The inſolence of earl Goodwin to Edward the Confeſſor probably occaſioned that cautious monarch, who had good reaſon to ſuſpect that the earl had intentions of aſpiring to his crown, to invite over to his court William of Normandy. This viſit, furniſhed that enterprizing nobleman ſome years after with a pretence to inherit the throne, for on Harold’s being nominated ſucceſſor to King Edward, William inſiſted that he had been promiſed the crown by the late King, and that Harold himſelf had taken an oath to aſſiſt him in obtaining it; and ſubmitting his cauſe to the judgment of Pope Alexander II. Harold was declared an uſurper by that pontiff.
In conſequence of this deciſion, William invaded England with a powerful army, and ſlew Harold in the memorable battle of Haſtings; and, by that act, ended the government of the Saxons in England, two hundred and thirty ſeven years after the union of the Heptarchy, and ſix hunded and ſeventeen after the landing of Hengist.
