When the Earl of Rouen, William the Bastard, heard of his relation, King
Edward's, death, and also that Harald Godwinson was chosen, crowned,
and consecrated king of England, it appeared to him that he had a
better right to the kingdom of England than Harald, by reason of the
relationship between him and King Edward. He thought, also, that he
had grounds for avenging the affront that Harald had put upon him
with respect to his daughter. From all these grounds William gathered
together a great army in Normandy, and had many men, and sufficient
transport-shipping. The day that he rode out of the castle to his ships,
and had mounted his horse, his wife came to him, and wanted to speak
with him; but when he saw her he struck at her with his heel, and set
his spurs so deep into her breast that she fell down dead; and the
earl rode on to his ships, and went with his ships over to England.
His brother, Archbishop Otto, was with him; and when the earl came to
England he began to plunder, and take possession of the land as he came
along. Earl William was stouter and stronger than other men; a great
horseman and warrior, but somewhat stern; and a very sensible man, but
not considered a man to be relied on.