43/145 And though the king's prudence, or his want of authority, made him confer almost all the civil and military employments on the natives, the ecclesiastical preferments fell often to the share of the Normans; and as the latter possessed Edward's confidence, they had secretly a great influence on public affairs, and excited the jealousy of the English, particularly of Earl Godwin.[*****] [** Ingulph.p. 80.] This powerful nobleman, besides being duke or earl of Wessex, had the counties of Kent and Sussex annexed to his government. |