had come Siward the earl [Of
Northumbria] and Leofric the earl [Of Mercia], and much people
with them, from the north, to the king; and it was made known to
the Earl Godwin and his sons, that the king and the men who were
with him, were taking counsel concerning them: and they arrayed
themselves on the other hand resolutely, though it were loathful
to them that they should stand against their royal lord. Then
the peers on either side decreed that every kind of evil should
cease: and the king gave the peace of God and his full friendship
to either side. Then the king and his peers decreed that a
council of all the nobles should be held for the second time in
London at the harvest equinox; and the king directed the army to
be called out, as well south of the Thames as north, all that was
in any way most eminent. Then declared they Sweyn the earl an
outlaw, and summoned Godwin the earl and Harold the earl, to the
council, as quickly as they could effect it. When they had come
thither, then were they summoned into the council. Then required
he safe conduct and hostages, so that he might come, unbetrayed,
into the council and out of the council. Then the king demanded
all the thanes whom the earls before had: and they granted them
all into his hands. Then the king sent again to them, and
commanded them that they should come with twelve men to the
king's council. Then the earl again required safe conduct and
hostages, that he might defend himself against each of those
things which were laid to him. Then were the hostages refused
him; and he was allowed a safe conduct for five nights to go out
of the land. And then Godwin the earl and Sweyn the earl went to
Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themselves beyond
sea, and sought Baldwin's protection, and abode there all the
winter. And Harold the earl went west to Ireland, and was there
all the winter within the king's protection. And soon after this
happened, then put away the king the lady who had been
consecrated his queen [Editha], and caused to be taken from her
all which she possessed, in land, and in gold, and in silver, and
in all things, and delivered her to his sister at Wherwell. And
Abbot Sparhafoc was then driven out of the bishopric of London,
and William the king's priest was ordained thereto. And then
Odda was appointed earl over Devonshire, and over Somerset, and
over Dorset, and over the Welsh. And Algar, the son of Leofric
the earl,