Note 4 — Chapter XI · THE ELECTION OF HAROLD.[1] January 5th–April 16th, 1066.

Ib. “Tunc mœror et luctus omnium, una vox plangentium.” This we can well believe; but the hagiographer is plainly writing with the help of his own fuller knowledge, when he goes on to say; “Præsentiebant plures ejus in morte desolationem patriæ, plebis exterminium, totius Anglicæ nobilitatis excidium, finem libertatis, honoris ruinam.” The moment was an anxious one, but no one who had not Eadward’s own gift of prophecy could foresee all this.