The Earl Harold
A month later, Harold Godwinson, the new Earl of East Anglia, was out hunting in the Cambridgeshire countryside, accompanied by half a dozen of his men, a hawk and a couple of dogs. His friend Ansgar, a powerful landowner, had been instructed by King Edward to act as guide and mentor for the new earl. Ansgar too was fond of hawking and introducing the new earl to the county was more enjoyable than he had hoped.
Harold was also looking for a place to live, ideally not far from London, with easy access to the sea and with good hunting. This was not the place. He never intended it to be but it was close to someone he was contriving to meet. While he prepared his bird for the hunt, two of his men approached on horseback.
‘Well, what did she say?’ asked Harold, sensing from the look on the rider’s faces all was not as it should be.
‘She said she would be pleased to come, but it would have to be another time.’
Harold mulled things over for a moment and then looked pleased with himself. ‘Let’s try another field where we might find better hunting,’ he said, moving off.
Half an hour later, Harold and his companions arrived at West Wickham. ‘Let’s see how good the sport is here,’ said Harold, pointing his horse into the light breeze. Searching around for a few moments, he spotted a couple of rooks in a small blackthorn tree. Checking his dogs had also seen them, he signalled to make chase. The two hounds raced, barking and yapping, towards the tree. Harold’s men, on horseback, cantered after them. With about ten yards to go the rooks took flight.
With expert skill, Harold removed the hood from his falcon’s head and pulled the leash. By the time the rooks had left their shelter his bird was ready to fly. Taking a second to adjust to the situation, she saw the rooks in flight and took off from Harold’s leather-gloved fist.
The rooks rose from the tree and turned to head downwind as they climbed. They saw the falcon and wheeled round, back into the wind. By now the falcon was already above them, climbing fast so as to make her first stoop. She had already singled out her intended victim. As she dived the rooks shifted, twisting and turning in the air to avoid the deadly sharp talons of their hunter. Succeeding, they turned back downwind to gain more speed and head back to the rookery. The falcon came back up above them and stooped again, this time coming much closer to its ducking, diving, dodging quarry. The rooks evaded two more stoops before the final attack, just yards away from the shelter of their home, but they were too late. The falcon took her prey, ripping her target out of the sky and down to the ground in an instant; then bobbing up and down in some grim parody of mating, she kneaded her victim with her talons.
Beneath the birds, racing on horseback, the men followed the scene as they chased across the fields in pursuit. They approached the falcon and Harold dismounted, producing some meat from one of his saddlebags which he offered to the bird. The falcon climbed back on his glove and took the titbit. When she had finished, Harold hooded her and remounted.
Sitting astride his horse he spotted two riders approaching at the gallop, their long winter cloaks trailing in the air behind them. One was a man, the other a woman. He was tall and powerfully built and wore a quilted leather-studded tunic, and from his belt hung a sword and a long dagger. The woman was dressed for riding, wearing loose-fitting linen breeches, a thigh-length tunic and a long cloak; her long chestnut hair was tied back in a single tight plait. Harold recognised her the instant he saw her.
The riders brought their mounts to a halt facing Harold’s party. They were both red-faced and out of breath. Harold could not help noticing the way the woman’s chest heaved.
‘Good morning, Lady Edyth, what a surprise it is to see you here!’
‘Really? And why is that?’
‘Well, I didn’t expect to find you wandering in the country.’
‘I’m not wandering in the country. This is my land. It would seem it is you who are wandering.’
‘My Lady, please accept my most profound apologies,’ said Harold, with a broad grin. ‘I thought I was on common land. I can assure you I made a genuine mistake and meant no harm by it. Perhaps I can make amends by offering you a place at my table this evening?’
‘Your table?’
‘Yes, I have been made a gift of Sawston.’
‘It’s beautiful; I trust you like it. You must have done something very special to have been given so fine a place. So, will you be living there now?’
‘Not permanently. I have business in Cambridge tomorrow and thought I might do well to make the acquaintance of my neighbours. It’s such a piece of good luck to find you like this.’
‘So, you’re not living here?’
‘I regret it is too far from the centre of things. Waltham in Essex is where I’ll probably live.’
‘Oh, I see. Well, while you’re here and as you’re new to the area, I should offer you hospitality. You will be my guest. I insist, and you too, Ansgar.’ Edyth turned to her companion, who had remained quiet but observant the whole time. ‘Come, Finn, I’ll race you back.’
The two turned and immediately their horses took off at a gallop, leaving Harold to continue his sport. As he watched them ride away he could not help but admire her horsemanship. She rode well and with obvious pleasure. He watched her until she disappeared over the brow of a ridge, enjoying the sight of the back of the saddle slapping her buttocks, the slight wobble caused by the shock accentuating their firmness.
It was dark that evening when Harold, Ansgar and their men arrived at Edyth’s home in West Wickham. The stars twinkled brightly in the cold clear sky and a wolf howled in the distance. Edyth’s companion of earlier that day stepped out from the house, greeted them and showed them where to put their horses before escorting the guests to through to a modest hall.
As he entered, Harold was surprised to find quite a few other guests. Although he had had no introductions, it was evident that he was known to everyone there because they all rose when he entered and called out in greeting. Harold made his way to the top table, one of five being used for the evening; he smiled and acknowledged everyone present. His men were offered places on the bench at a lower table. Skalpi joined Harold and Ansgar with Edyth at the top table. A huge scar ran in a crescent round the right side of Skalpi’s face. It started in his hairline and ran across the edge of his temple, just missing his ear, then down the edge of his jaw to his chin. It was a fearsome thing to behold but for the most part was covered by his hair and walrus moustache.
The hall, though modest, was warm and cosy. Shutters kept out the cold winter night and the fire provided warmth and added light to that provided by the candles. There were about thirty guests in all. As far as Harold could tell, they were local thanes, with their wives and families. Apart from Ansgar and Skalpi, with him on the top table were Finn, Edyth and an older couple. He recognised the man as Edyth’s uncle, Magnus. He sat down and was offered a goblet of mead.
‘Welcome, Earl Harold.’
‘Good evening, Lady Edyth.’ Harold took her hand and kissed it.
‘Welcome to you too, Ansgar,’ she said with a smile and nodded a welcome to Skalpi. ‘You remember my uncle Magnus.’
‘It is a great pleasure to meet you again, Magnus.’
‘The pleasure is all mine,’ said the old man, greeting his guest with a hug. ‘Ansgar, what a pleasure it is to see you again,’ and subjected him to the same treatment.
‘And this is my aunt Wulfgith,’ Edyth continued with the introductions. ‘Welcome to our home, Earl Harold, it’s a privilege to have you and your companions with us tonight.’
‘Thank you, Lady Wulfgith, but the privilege is mine,’ responded Harold, before kissing her hand.
‘Harold, would you grant us the favour of a few words before we continue with the evening?’
Magnus turned to face the hall and requested everyone’s attention for Harold, Earl of East Anglia. To enthusiastic applause, the new earl rose as though he had been born to public speaking. He thanked his
audience and complimented them on their industry, their abilities in agriculture and commerce, their renowned seafaring skills, the quality of their products and their fine reputation at home and abroad as virtuous God-fearing people. What is more, he sounded absolutely sincere in everything he said. All were convinced that now Anglia had its own earl to represent it at court, its people would be so much closer to the King. They were happy to welcome their new earl but most importantly for Harold, Lady Edyth was impressed. He knew it and this thrilled him more than the cheers and acknowledgement of his audience.
He sat down and the food was served. The ideal guest, Harold gave kudos to the house and the assembled guests, making conversation easily with anyone, on his or her own level. He joked and laughed but listened as well as he talked. He spent a considerable amount of time talking to Magnus and Wulfgith and had a positive impact on them both.
As the evening progressed and the novelty of being at supper with a nobleman began to wane, people started to converse in their own little groups, always keeping an eye on the top table for any change of mood. Harold took advantage of the change of focus to turn his attention to Edyth. He told her that becoming an earl would entail big changes and that his parents expected him to take a wife, perhaps a noble lady from the continent.
She told him of the death of her parents from plague. She had no brothers or sisters; after giving birth to Edyth, her mother was never able to have any more children. The two relaxed and talked until it was late. The women and a few children retired to the bowers. The men were given blankets to wrap themselves up in when they chose to sleep, in whatever spot they could find in the hall. Edyth’s uncle and aunt let it be known they were about to retire for the night. After they left their guests, Edyth told Harold she too would be leaving him.
‘It is time, too, for me to go to bed. A room has been reserved for you, naturally.’
‘Thank you, but I had hoped we might have some time alone.’
‘Why?’
‘Well, to be honest, I thought tonight might have been a little more… ’
‘Intimate?’ she suggested with a smile. ‘I thought you were keen to meet people who live in the area.’
‘I am.’
‘You must be glad of this opportunity, then.’
‘I am.’
Edyth returned his look in silence. The upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her amusement at his predicament.
‘I am. I am. I’m very glad,’ he said, trying to sound earnest.
‘Good. I’m happy you’re glad,’ she replied with a grin.
‘Well, then I’m glad you’re happy,’ he laughed.
They both felt foolish.
Suddenly a serious-looking woman appeared, walked briskly over to Edyth, and whispered, ‘I’m sorry to interrupt, my lady, but Thorkell is upset. He’s had a very bad dream and can’t be calmed by anyone. He’s insisting on seeing you.’
Edyth nodded, ‘I’ll be along in a moment.’ Then turning to Harold she excused herself and bade him goodnight.
Harold asked Finn about the child. He discovered the boy was an orphan taken into care by Edyth after his parents had been killed in a pirate raid. He was touched by her kindness.
The next day, Harold and his men stepped out into the cold morning air. Their horses were already tacked up and waiting to go. As Harold was about to mount his horse, Edyth came out of the house towards him.
‘Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?’ she asked.
‘I have to attend to some business in Cambridge and we must make haste. I didn’t want to disturb your household.’
‘That’s considerate of you.’
‘Perhaps we will meet again. I will be in London for the King’s court at Easter. Perhaps I’ll see you there?’
‘Why would I be there?’
‘You were at the King’s wedding.’
‘Only to keep uncle Magnus company.’
‘Then come and keep me company.’
‘I don’t think it’s your place, grand though you are, to invite me to the King’s court,’ she replied.
Harold tried once more, ‘If you think it unseemly to attend the Easter court, will you agree to visit me at Whitsuntide? By then I should be at Waltham.’
‘I would have to ask my uncle and I’m not sure what he would think.’
‘I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a bit.’
‘You seem quite sure of that.’
‘Oh, I am. I invited him and your aunt last night. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to have you accompany them,’ he said, smiling that prepossessing smile of his that she found more attractive each time she saw it.
‘In that case,’ she replied, ‘who am I to argue?’ all the time wondering what she had let herself in for.
‘Good, until Whitsun, then. Farewell and God be with you.’
‘And God be with you too, Earl Harold.’
A Viking problem
Earl Godwin, having been summoned by the King, was in Edward’s private chambers. He and the king exchanged pleasantries before Edward enquired of Godwin, ‘I suppose you’ve been wondering why I asked to see you?’
‘Yes I have.’
‘King Magnus of Norway has sent me a letter in which he reminds me of the Gota River Agreement. He’s decided he, not I, should be the rightful King of England. I think we can look forward to an invasion attempt in the summer.’
The problem raised by the Gota River Agreement concerned Edward’s right to rule England. Several years before Edward had come to the throne, Harthacnut, King of England and Denmark, had agreed with Magnus that he would recognise the independence of Norway as a separate kingdom and it was agreed in a second compact that when one of them died, the other would inherit his kingdoms.
A few years later, when King Harthacnut died, in accordance with the agreement Magnus claimed Denmark as his own. But King Swein and the Danes had other ideas. Magnus set out to take his new kingdom by force. To Edward he wrote that out of compassion for his harsh early life in exile, he would withhold his claim to the English throne for Edward’s lifetime but reserved his right to claim it on his death. Now a series of events had caused him to change his mind. He was engrossed in a war with Denmark and wanted Edward’s help. Edward had refused. Magnus was now preparing to invade England, believing that with the combined resources of England and Norway he would be able to deal Swein a fatal blow. In his letter, Magnus announced his intention to claim the English throne as his own. Should he acquiesce, Edward would be allowed to return to Normandy or any other country of his choice. On the other hand, should he fail to agree to the request, he could expect a Viking army to cross the North Sea before the end of the summer.
‘Well what do you think?’ enquired Edward, tentatively, knowing Godwin would support Swein, who was his nephew.
‘Have you replied to this letter, my Lord?’
‘No, I want to put it before the Easter Court.’
‘As you wish, my Lord.’
‘Another matter I wish to discuss with you concerns your son Sweyn. The Bishop of Worcester in particular is quite disturbed by his behaviour. He runs wild. There are stories about abuse of power and privilege, pocketing fines imposed on transgressors, running amok on hunting parties. They say he was out hunting a boar, which was eventually cornered but he’d used up all his spears so leaped off his horse and killed the beast with his bare hands. Broke its neck, apparently.’
‘That sounds like Sweyn,’ Godwin laughed, ‘but surely killing a boar with his bare hands is cause of celebration, not condemnation.’
‘But he did it in the grounds of Hereford Abbey on Sunday morning.’
‘Oh, oh I see,’ said Godwin, his laughter quickly subsiding. ‘Yes, he is spirited and sometimes a little thoughtless but he doesn’t mean any harm. I’ll have a word with him. Is there anything else, my Lord?’
‘No.’
‘Until next week then.’
‘Until next week.’
Around the tables in
the great hall sat the finest in the land. King Edward and Queen Edith, with the old dowager, Queen Emma, sat at the head table. Most of the earls were there: Siward of Northumbria, with his nephew Malcolm Canmore, the exiled claimant to the Scottish throne, Leofric of Mercia, Godwin of Wessex, Harold of East Anglia and Godwin’s nephew, Beorn of Hertfordshire. Of the earls only Sweyn was missing. He claimed to have urgent business in Wales.
Invited sheriffs and thanes were present, though few in number. Leofric and Siward were unhappy now the Godwin family outvoted them. Robert de Jumieges, the newly appointed Bishop of London, represented the clergy.
The meeting progressed more or less as Godwin expected. King Magnus would be informed that Edward was regarded by all as the rightful King of England and would not recognise Magnus’s claim to the throne. If Magnus were to recognise Edward, the English would send no help to Swein. The court expected a flat rejection of its offer and in anticipation of a Norwegian invasion would gather the English fleet at Sandwich.
There was dissension over the policy. Godwin wanted to aid his nephew against the forces of Magnus and stated his case. ‘If we help Swein and he is successful, we have an ally against Magnus should he make any future claim to the throne of England. If Magnus defeats Swein, then he will be able to use the resources of two countries to mount an invasion against us.’
Edward was not impressed with Godwin’s argument. ‘On the other hand, we might provoke Magnus even more and who knows, Swein might invade us once he has disposed of Magnus and tell me, where will we be then?’
‘We could make Swein a loan of a few ships and some fighting men.’ Godwin countered.
‘Isn’t that the same thing? I think we ought to let them fight it out and in the meantime guard our coast. What does the council think?’
With the exception of Godwin, Harold and Beorn, the council favoured Edward’s plan, if only because Godwin did not.
Next was the appointment of clergy, which went smoothly enough. The monk Herman was nominated by Edward as Bishop of Ramsbury and the appointment went through unopposed.
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