All Godwine's better nature withstood Eadward when the king angrily bade him exact vengeance from the town for the affront to his kinsman; and he claimed a fair trial for the townsmen.

But Eadward looked on his refusal as an outrage, and the quarrel widened into open strife.

Godwine at once gathered his forces and marched upon Gloucester, demanding the expulsion of the foreign favourites.

But even in a just quarrel the country was cold in his support.

The earls of Mercia and Northumberland united their forces to those of Eadward at Gloucester, and marched with the king to a gathering of the Witenagemot at London.