Wilton, Mary Margaret Stanley Egerton; Wilton, Mary Margaret Stanley Egerton [Editor]: The art of needle-work from the earliest ages: including some notices of the ancient historical tapestries (London: Henry Colburn Publishers, 1841)

102 THE bayeux tapestry.
saw them,, nor knew of their being there, for nought
was shown or told to him about it; and over all was
a phylactery, the best that he could select. When
Harold placed his hand upon it, the hand trembled
and the flesh quivered; but he swore, and promised
upon his oath, to take Ele to wife, and to deliver
up England to the duke ; and thereunto to do all in
his power, according to his might and wit, after the
death of Edward, if he should live, so help him God
and the holy relics there ! (meaning the Gospels,
for he had none idea of any other). Many cried
‘ God grant it!’ and when Harold had kissed the
saints, and had risen upon his feet, the duke led
him up to the chest, and made him stand near it;
and took off the chest the pall that had covered it,
and showed Harold upon what holy relics he had
sworn, and he was sorely alarmed at the sight.”