e a further display of force. In this he betrayed no haste, but made
his way through Kent in leisurely fashion, receiving on his way the
submission of Winchester and Canterbury, using no more force than was
absolutely necessary, and endeavouring to allay all fears, until at length
he reached the suburbs of London.(78)

He had been astute enough to give out that he came not to claim a crown,
but only a right to be put in nomination for it. To the mind of the
Londoner, such quibbling failed to commend itself, and the citizens lost
no time in putting their city into a posture of defence, determined not to
surrender it without a blow.

(M52)

Upon William's arrival in Southwark, the citizens sallied forth. They
were, however, beaten back after a sharp skirmish, and compelled to seek
shelter again within their city's walls. William hesitated to make a
direct attack upon the city, but hoped by setting fire to Southwark to
strike terror into the inhabitants and bring them to a voluntary
surrender. He failed in his object; the city still held out, and William
next resorted to diplomacy.

(M53)

The ruling spirit within the city at that time was Ansgar or Esegar the
"Staller" under whom, as Sheriff of Middlesex, the citizens had marched
out to fight around the royal standard at Hastings. He had been carried
wounded from the field, and was now borne hither and thither on a litter,
encouraging the citizens to make a stout defence of their city. To him, it
is said, William sent a private message from Berkhampstead, asking only
that the Conqueror's right to the crown of England might be acknowledged
and nothing more, the real power of the kingdom might remain with Ansgar
if he so willed. Determined not to be outwitted by the Norman, Ansgar (so
the story goes) summoned a meeting of the eldermen (_natu majores_) of the
City--the forerunners of the later aldermen--and proposed a feigned
submission which might stave off immediate danger. The proposal was
accepted and a messenger despatched. William pretended to accept the terms
offered, and at the same time so worked upon the messenger with fair
promises and gifts that on his return he converted his fellow citizens and
induced them by representations of the Conqueror's friendly intentions and
of the hopelessness of resistance, to make their submission to him, and to
throw over the young Atheling.

(M54)

Whatever poetic tinge there may be about the story as told by Guy of
Amien