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INDEPENDENCE OF ALDREd's CHARACIER.
I05
submitted to his rule ; but before he placed the
crown upon his head, he exacted from him an oath
that the rights and liberties of the church should be
respected, that he .would govern according to the
laws of England, and that no undue preference
should be shown to his Norman followers. William
was politic enough to see the wisdom of conciliating
his new subjects by acceding to the request of the
ablest and most independent prelate in the dominions
he had acquired. And he doubtless intended to keep
his word. For a time all went well. " His soldiers
were kept in strict order. No change was made in
law or custom. The privileges of London were recognised
by a royal writ which still remains, the
most venerable of its muniments, amongst the city's
archives. Peace and order were restored.
This tranquility, however, was not lasting. Northumbria
ill brooked submission to the new sovereign.
An insurrection took place under Edwin and Morcar,
in which the men of York joined, regardless of the
advice and entreaties of their Archbishop. It was
soon quelled by the presence of William, who fortified
a castle in the city to overawe the inhabitants.
Another revolt took place, with a similar result.
But
preparations for a more decisive blow at William's
power were making in another quarter. Sweyn, the
king of Denmark, was fitting out a fleet for a descent
upon the shores of Northumbria. The news proved
a fatal blow to Aldred. He had striven earnestly for
the promotion of peace, and he saw that this irruption
Green's " History," i. p. 116.