His Incitements for Invading of England.
HE was now growne about fifty yeares old: an Age that might well have ar∣rested all ambitious thoughts in him, but who can thinke himselfe too old for a Kingdome; when Galba for attaining the Romane Empire, was contented to buckle on Armour, being fourescore yeares old? The D••ke in his time of peace came over into England to visite his cousin King Edward, who besides his Princely entertainment, made him at that time (as some thinke) a promise to leave him his Successour in the Kingdome; & Harold after this, going over to the Duk•• in Norman∣dy, for procuring some friends of his to be released, the better to effect it, tooke his solemne Oath to assist him for obtaining the Kingdome. So as having the word of Edward, and the oath of Harold, he had now sufficient obligations to expect it. But hearing of the death of King Edward, and that Harold was Crowned King, he thought himselfe not more forgotten by Edward, then wronged by Harold; and therefore sent messengers to him to put him in mind of K. Edwards P••omise, and his owne Oath: but Harold puffed up with the conceit of being a King, as though that very name were enough to expiate all breach of Oathes, and that nothing could binde him, who had now the fetters in his owne hand; returned onely sleight an∣swers, that his Oath was forced, and voyd in it selfe, as being made without con∣sent of the Kingdome. Whereupon the Duke thus sleighted by Harold, endevours to make him an honest man by force, assuring himselfe, he should find him the wea∣ker Enemy, for finding him a perjured Friend.