第224章

That winter (A.D.1065) King Harald went up to Raumarike, and had many people with him; and he accused the bondes there of having kept from him his scat and duties, and of having aided his enemies to raise disturbance against him.He seized on the bondes and maimed some, killed others, and robbed many of all their property.They who could do it fled from him.He burned everything in the districts and laid them altogether waste.So says Thiodolf: --"He who the island-people drove, When they against his power strove, Now bridle's Raumarike's men, Marching his forces through their glen.

To punish them the fire he lights That shines afar off in dark nights From house and yard, and, as he says, Will warn the man who disobeys."Thereafter the king went up to Hedemark, burnt the dwellings, and made no less waste and havoc there than in Raumarike.From thence he went to Hadeland and Ringerike, burning and ravaging all the land.So says Thiodolf: --"The bonde's household goods are seen Before his door upon the green, Smoking and singed: and sparks red hot Glow in the thatched roof of his cot.

In Hedemark the bondes pray The king his crushing hand to stay;In Ringerike and Hadeland, None 'gainst his fiery wrath can stand."Then the bondes left all to the king's mercy.After the death of King Magnus fifteen years had passed when the battle at Nis-river took place, and afterwards two years elapsed before Harald and Svein made peace.So says Thiodolf: --"The Hordland king under the land At anchor lay close to the strand, At last, prepared with shield and spear The peace was settled the third year."After this peace the disturbances with the people of the Upland districts lasted a year and a half.So says Thiodolf: --"No easy task it is to say How the king brought beneath his sway The Upland bondes, and would give Nought but their ploughs from which to live.

The king in eighteen months brought down Their bonde power, and raised his own, And the great honour he has gained Will still in memory be retained."77.OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND.

Edward, Ethelred's son, was king of England after his brother Hardacanute.He was called Edward the Good; and so he was.King Edward's mother was Queen Emma, daughter of Richard, earl of Rouen.Her brother was Earl Robert, whose son was William the Bastard, who at that time was earl at Rouen in Normandy.King Edward's queen was Gyda, a daughter of Earl Godwin, the son of Ulfnad.Gyda's brothers were, Earl Toste, the eldest; Earl Morukare the next; Earl Walter the third; Earl Svein the fourth;and the fifth was Harald, who was the youngest, and he was brought up at King Edward's court, and was his foster-son.The king loved him very much, and kept him as his own son; for he had no children.

78.OF HARALD GODWINSON.

One summer it happened that Harald, the son of Godwin, made an expedition to Bretland with his ships, but when they got to sea they met a contrary wind, and were driven off into the ocean.

They landed west in Normandy, after suffering from a dangerous storm.They brought up at Rouen, where they met Earl William, who received Harald and his company gladly.Harald remained there late in harvest, and was hospitably entertained; for the stormy weather continued, and there was no getting to sea, and this continued until winter set in; so the earl and Harald agreed that he should remain there all winter.Harald sat on the high-seat on one side of the earl; and on the other side sat the earl's wife, one of the most beautiful women that could be seen.

They often talked together for amusement at the drinking-table;and the earl went generally to bed, but Harald and the earl's wife sat long in the evenings talking together, and so it went on for a great part of the winter.In one of their conversations she said to Harald, "The earl has asked me what it is we have to talk about so much, for he is angry at it." Harald replies, "We shall then at once let him know all our conversation." The following day, Harald asked the earl to a conference, and they went together into the conference-chamber; where also the queen was, and some of the councillors.Then Harald began thus: -- "Ihave to inform you, earl, that there lies more in my visit here than I have let you know.I would ask your daughter in marriage, and have often spoke over this matter with her mother, and she has promised to support my suit with you." As soon as Harald had made known this proposal of his, it was well received by all who were present.They explained the case to the earl; and at last it came so far that the earl was contracted to Harald, but as she was very young, it was resolved that the wedding should be deferred for some years.

79.KING EDWARD'S DEATH.

When spring came Harald rigged his ships and set off; and he and the earl parted with great friendship.Harald sailed over to England to King Edward, but did not return to Valland to fulfill the marriage agreement.Edward was king over England for twenty-three years and died on a bed of sickness in London on the 5th of January, and was buried in Paul's church.Englishmen call him a saint.

80.HARALD GODWINSON MADE KING OF ENGLAND.

The sons of Earl Godwin were the most powerful men in England.