The widow of the Confessor surrendered Winchester to the Duke.

The bishops gathered at London inclined to submission.

The citizens themselves faltered as William, passing by their walls, gave Southwark to the flames.

The throne of the boy-king really rested for support on the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria, Eadwine and Morkere; and William, crossing the Thames at Wallingford and marching into Hertfordshire, threatened to cut them off from their earldoms.

The masterly movement forced the Earls to hurry home, and London gave way at once.