His authority over the whole island was paramount and supreme.

But, either from a natural sense of justice toward the rightful heir, or from a dread of the danger which always attends the usurping of the royal name by one who is not of royal descent, he made no attempt to take the crown.

He convened a great assembly of all the estates of the realm, and there it was solemnly decided that Edward should be invited to come to England and ascend the throne.

A national messenger was dispatched to Normandy to announce the invitation.
It was stipulated in this invitation that Edward should bring very few Normans with him.

He came, accordingly, in the first instance, almost unattended.