1066

by G. K. Holloway

  ‘He was one of the Bamburgh family, wasn’t he?’

  ‘Yes, he was. Since his death, relationships between the Bamburghs and the court have been a little frosty.’

  ‘I think that’s common knowledge.’

  ‘In the winter of 1014, Knut, who was in Dorset, took advantage of a sudden change in the weather to lead an attack on Northumbria. Uhtred rushed north to save his earldom but by the time he got there it was too late to put up any effective opposition and he agreed, through intermediaries, to submit to Knut. Earl Uhtred arranged to meet him in the great hall at Wighill and when the earl arrived, Knut welcomed him as though he were the prodigal son, personally greeting him and escorting him into the hall; the tables were laid out with gold plates and goblets and from the walls hung the finest tapestries. The smell of meat being roasted hung in the air. Uhtred felt both relieved and flattered to be subject to his new lord’s protection.’

  ‘Understandably.’

  ‘It was a mistake. Once Uhtred and his guard were seated, a gang of about forty assassins led by Thurbrand, one of Knut’s local henchmen, appeared from behind the wall hangings and chopped them all to pieces. They dumped the bodies outside and before the blood had dried on the floor, Knut was feasting with his brother-in-law, Eric of Hlathir, whom he had just made Earl of Northumbria. But Eric was a fool and was really nothing more than the Earl of Deira, while Eadwulf, Uhtred’s son by Sige, his second wife, became Earl of Bernicia.’

  ‘Did Eadwulf look for revenge?’

  ‘No. He was a fat, lazy coward. He had no fondness for Knut but it made no difference what he felt because he was dead within a couple of years; murdered by one of Knut’s men.’

  ‘Siward?’

  ‘Yes, Earl Siward! Though he wasn’t an earl at the time; the earldom was a reward for the murder. Eadwulf was succeeded as Earl of Bernicia by his nephew Ealdred, who was Uhtred’s son by his first wife, Ecgfrida. Ealdred was not as easy-going or as forgiving as his uncle. To avenge his father’s murder, he killed Thurbrand, the leader of the assassins who had killed Uhtred all those years before.’

  ‘What became of Ealdred?’

  ‘Well, Thurbrand had a son called Carl who became Earl of Deira after Eric Hlathir died, oddly enough of natural causes.’

  ‘So the son of Thurbrand, the murderer of Uhtred, has the earldom neighbouring Ealdred, the son of Uhtred, Thurbrand’s victim?’

  ‘That’s right. How complicated it all is. They spent some time trying to kill each other but eventually Carl killed Ealdred.’

  ‘Now you will tell me Ealdred had a son who killed Carl?’

  ‘No. It’s not as simple as that. Ealdred had no sons but he did have daughters.’

  ‘I know! Aelflaed, Siward’s wife, is one of them.’

  ‘That’s right. Siward had impressed Harthacnut with his demonstration of loyalty but to make his position as Earl of Northumbria appear more legitimate, he married Aelflaed.’

  ‘So when he murdered Eadwulf he killed his future wife’s uncle. What did she have to say about that?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Nothing?’

  ‘Well, perhaps she saw the wisdom of silence. When I became King I left Siward to govern Northumbria with a free hand. It suited us both. He resented any kind of interference and I had to consolidate my position in the South.’

  Tostig nodded in agreement. ‘So that was the end of the feud?’

  ‘No. What do you know about Cospatric?’

  ‘I know more or less what everyone at court knows about him and that is Uhtred’s third wife was Aelfgifu, the daughter of King Ethelred, so therefore your half sister. Uhtred and Aelfgifu had a daughter called Edith, who is Cospatric’s mother. That makes him King Ethelred’s grandson. I know when he was a child he was kept away from court in case anything should happen to him. He was a claimant to the throne, one that King Knut might have liked to see out of the way. I understand he was made Earl of Cumbria at Siward’s request, in order to buy off any claim he might have made to Northumbria.’

  ‘Cospatric is one of the last surviving males in the line of the great Earl Uhtred.’

  ‘And in the line of Cerdic.’

  ‘Yes,’ Edward replied uneasily.

  ‘So why not offer him Northumbria?’

  ‘Because he embodies the worst of the North and I want you to change all that. I want you to bring the North properly into the Kingdom: the same laws, the same taxes. You must have heard the stories; Northumbria is lawless. If a party of travellers makes a journey there without the protection of an earl they’re likely to be robbed. Any women amongst them will probably be raped and perhaps murdered. It’s well known that local notables are corrupt; most of them are involved in petty crime in one way or another. It can’t go on. I want Northumbria to be like the rest of the country. That’s why I need you, a God-fearing man with more loyalty to the crown than to his pocket, a man who has respect for the law and who takes his office seriously. It will be a difficult path to follow, Tostig. Do you have the strength for it?’

  ‘Yes, I have the strength for it, if I’ve your full support, my Lord.’

  ‘That you do, Tostig. That you do.’

  ‘Then I’m adamant in my resolve to root out corruption and I’ll deal with perpetrators fairly but mercilessly.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘You said Cospatric was one of the last surviving males. Who are the others?’

  ‘There are two: Gamel Ormson - not only is he the son of Orm, he is also the son of Aelflaed’s sister. His grandfather was Ealdred and so he is great-great grandson of Ethelred. Not so close to the throne or the earldom. Then there is Oswulf, son of Eadwulf.’

  ‘So, when I’m Earl of Northumbria, I’ll have to keep an eye on them?’

  ‘You will, Tostig. Beware: in the North; whatever their differences, no matter how much they feud with one another, if you move against one, they’ll close ranks and move against you. It would be like attacking a pack of fighting wolves; they’d be on you in an instant.’

  In London, at the great mid-Lent council, Edward called on the court to help him deal with the problem of succession to the earldom of Northumbria. Their participation in the invasion of Scotland, which he had so readily sanctioned, had brought about the situation Edward had hoped for. Earl Siward and his eldest son were dead and Tostig would fill the vacancy and learn how to wield power effectively, before being handed the crown.

  The council deliberated and Edward announced his decision. ‘My friends, never before can any king have been better advised by his court and I thank you sincerely. I will keep you waiting no longer; the new Earl of Northumbria is to be Tostig Godwinson.’

  ‘But my Lord, surely you jest?’ protested Earl Cospatric, up on his feet in an instant.

  ‘Why would I jest, Cospatric?’

  ‘No doubt Tostig is a worthy man, but he’s a West Saxon. Would he understand our ways?’

  ‘I’ve no doubt of that,’ Edward replied, meaningfully.

  ‘But surely the earldom is mine by right?’

  ‘No, the earldom is not yours by right but I do recognise the reason for your misapprehension.’

  ‘Then why not choose Gamel Ormson? Or am I to take it that you think there is no one in Northumbria worthy of the title of earl? Do you think none of us man enough?’

  ‘I think it’s time the winds of change blew across Northumbria …’

  ‘The winds of Godwin, you mean,’ shouted Aelfgar, looking the worse for drink.

  ‘Aelfgar, if you have an opinion to express, do so in the proper manner.’

  ‘What do you call the proper manner? You want to set your catamite up in Northumbria and you expect everyone here to agree to it!’

  ‘You had better rephrase that remark, Aelfgar,’ Edward snapped.

  ‘I’ll rephrase nothing.’

  Leofric had his head in his hands, hiding his shame and embarrassment.

  ‘Tell me you’re not going to offer Northumbria to Tost
ig, and then I’ll start rephrasing my remarks.’

  ‘I think you had better leave.’

  ‘If you’re not going to give the earldom to Waltheof because he’s too young, why not hand it to Cospatric?’

  ‘I’ve said all I intend to say to you on the matter, Aelfgar. Now leave my court.’

  ‘You can’t give Northumbria to Tostig! If not a Northumbrian, then why not give it to me? I’m already an earl. I have experience. If you’re not going to give Northumbria to Cospatric, why not give it to me and give Cospatric East Anglia? Wouldn’t that make sense?’

  Aelfgar’s remarks emboldened the northern faction, who rose out of their seats and stood as one.

  ‘I think we need a better explanation than the one we’ve had so far, my Lord,’ asserted Gamel Ormson. ‘Earl Aelfgar has put forward a very strong case.’

  ‘Here’s your explanation. Tostig Godwinson is to be the next Earl of Northumbria because I have chosen the best man.’

  ‘You’re allowing the Godwinsons to take over the country!’ shouted Earl Aelfgar, extremely agitated.

  At this point, in an attempt to calm the atmosphere, Queen Edith interjected, ‘I think, Earl Aelfgar, you need to consider your words more carefully.’

  ‘And who is the King’s real consort in this hall, eh? Tell me that?’ Aelfgar leered as he spoke.

  ‘Earl Aelfgar, you are banished from the country forthwith.’ Edward spoke.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You heard me. In your place the new Earl of East Anglia shall be Gyrth Godwinson.’ Edward had made the choice out of sheer spite.

  ‘What? I told you! Godwinson and his bastards are taking over the country.’

  ‘Guards, escort this man out,’ ordered the King.

  ‘Watch, Father. Mercia will be next. Watch your back. Watch your back, especially if there’s a Godwinson about.’

  Even while Edward’s housecarls were dragging Earl Aelfgar out of the building, he could still be heard shouting. His wife, Lady Aelfgifu, left the hall, shamefacedly scurrying after her husband with her three young children, Edwin, Morcar and Aldytha, in tow.

  In the great hall an air of astonished silence had fallen over the council.

  ‘I’m sorry for my son’s behaviour,’ said Leofric, looking quite drained, ‘He’s not been well lately.’

  ‘Let’s hope he recovers soon,’ replied Edward, good-naturedly. He had got his way and he was happy.

  ‘Does anyone have any opinions they wish to add?’

  Nothing was said. With the approval of Queen Edith and Earl Harold, their brother Tostig was appointed to succeed Siward. Earl Aelfgar was outlawed and sought refuge in Ireland. In Earl Aelfgar’s place, Gyrth Godwinson was appointed Earl of East Anglia. But the ranting of Earl Aelfgar as he was dragged from council was not the last that would be heard of him.

  Within a few days of his appointment Tostig took Countess Judith and his sons Skuli and Kettle to York. From there he ruled Northumbria firmly from the outset and the changes he introduced were resented by the old ruling families. Earl Cospatric soon emerged as the leader of the malcontents. Gamel Ormson, Wulf Dolfinson and Oswulf were his staunchest allies. To make things worse, Tostig left his capable deputy Copsig in charge during his frequent absences from Northumbria. The Bamburghs hated Copsig even more than Tostig, who in their eyes was at least a nobleman, whereas Copsig was a jumped-up Saxon thane. They saw Earl Aelfgar’s banishment as an attempt by the House of Godwin to extend its power across the entire country, even though it was the King who had banished Aelfgar. Earl Leofric for his part had understood and supported Edward’s decision but although he would not miss his son much at court, both he and Lady Godiva pined for their grandchildren.

  Across the Irish Sea, Aelfgar was planning his return.

  The Welsh Problem

  It was a damp November morning when Harold arrived at Westminster in answer to the King’s summons. He found Leofwine and Gyrth already in attendance and Leofric sitting silently on his own. Edward looked a little flustered.

  ‘Harold, there is bad news. Gruffydd has allied himself with Aelfgar and they’ve ravaged Herefordshire. Last week Ralph met Gruffydd’s forces two miles outside Hereford and offered battle. It was a calamity. You know Ralph was so keen to try the European way of fighting on horseback?’

  ‘Using cavalry, yes.’

  ‘His men fled the field before a spear was thrown. Gruffydd’s saying the English fight on horseback the faster to run away. Afterwards the Welsh raced to Hereford and killed about five hundred people then put it to the torch. St. Aethelbert’s, the new minster, was looted and burned to the ground and the clergy defending it were butchered. The survivors were taken as slaves.’

  ‘Do you think they intend a full scale invasion?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘How is Ralph coping?’

  ‘Not very well. I’m putting you in command of the army, which has been summoned to report at Gloucester. I want you to lead a force to Hereford and destroy Gruffydd and Aelfgar if you can. Otherwise, secure the border. It’s too late in the year to mount a campaign now. You shall have men from all the corners of the kingdom.’

  ‘Very well.’

  Leofric looked alarmed by this. ‘My Lord, I beg you, please excuse the men of Mercia. They know Aelfgar well and it would be like brother fighting brother if they were called upon to help.’

  Harold was not sure he wanted Mercian help if they could not be relied on. The force led by Gruffydd and Aelfgar was relatively small and did not require all the resources at the King’s disposal.

  ‘I understand, Earl Leofric. You may be excused. Earl Harold, how long would it take you to get an army to Hereford?’

  ‘A week. What of Cospatric, Orm, Gamel and Wulf?’

  ‘They say this is not a Northumbrian problem. You will have to manage without them.’

  ‘Very well, my Lord.’

  Harold and his brothers arrived in Gloucester to find Azur had organised food and accommodation for the army. Earl Ralph was there to greet them looking very ill at ease. The following day Harold quickly moved the army to Hereford. Although it was Harold’s first major campaign Gruffydd, rather than test him had retreated into the hills. Harold was completely unprepared for the devastation he found. Bodies lay in the street where they had been butchered. No one had been spared. Even the animals had been killed. But the worst sight to greet them was of hundreds of corpses that lay strewn in the ruins of the once fine minster of St. Aethelbert’s, fallen in the flames, trapped in the church where they had sought sanctuary. Charred roof beams lay scattered among the corpses. All around, the remains of buildings were scorched black as if in mourning. The stench of the slaughterhouse hung over the town.

  Harold gave orders for burial of the dead while he and his brothers, along with Ansgar and Azur, inspected what remained of the town.

  After fortifying Hereford against future attacks, Harold made arrangements to open negotiations with Aelfgar and Gruffydd, at a place outside the little town of Billingsley. The two armies of about equal size met in the fields just outside the town.

  Gruffydd, with Aelfgar at his side and a dozen of their men as escort, rode out to meet Harold and his brothers, accompanied by a small band of their housecarls. As they approached each other, Harold could make out Gruffydd’s features. Beneath his helmet curly brown hair emerged, spewing this way and that. His round, freckled face gave him an innocent, boyish appearance but his demeanour was betrayed by the trace of a sneer and a disdainful look in his eye. Aelfgar simply looked smug. Harold couldn’t help noticing how much like his father he looked: the same wide, thin-lipped mouth, square jaw and deep-set eyes but there was none of the humility of Leofric. Instead Aelfgar carried with him an air of recklessness.

  Both parties dismounted cautiously, alert to any unpleasant surprise that might be sprung upon them by the other. Considering the circumstances, though, the negotiations were quite relaxed.

  The terms reached at the meet
ing at Billingsley left Aelfgar restored to his earldom of East Anglia but at the price of accepting Tostig’s retention of Northumbria. Gruffydd gained some territory on the border, including Archenfield. In return, he swore never to raid English territory again and in return for his recognition as King of all Wales, Gruffydd recognised King Edward as his overlord. The deal done, the parties went their separate ways. As they rode away Earl Ralph could hear Gruffydd and Aelfgar laughing. The entire party felt angry and humiliated.

  ‘This seems a poor return to me,’ hissed Tostig to Harold, as they rode back to Hereford.

  ‘Patience, Tostig, patience,’ Harold remarked. ‘Things aren’t as bad as they seem. Gruffydd might still be a threat to England, but at least we’ve broken his alliance with Aelfgar. And your succession to Northumbria has been resolved peacefully.’

  ‘What about my succession?’ enquired Gyrth.

  ‘I’m afraid you’ll need to be patient for a while, brother.’

  As those on the border struggled to resume a normal life, the raid on Hereford continued to take its toll; later that winter Bishop Athelstan of Hereford died - many said it was the burning of his beautiful church that killed him. Harold persuaded the King to appoint his personal chaplain, Leofgar, from Waltham, as Bishop of Hereford in Athelstan’s place. The gentle giant would be killed a few months later in a Welsh raid.

  Rome

  Bishop Ealdred brought back news from Europe that Edward the Exile was happy to return to England and accompanied Harold across the cold winter continent to meet the future king. In Ragenburg, at Christmas, Harold met King Andrew I of Hungary and opened negotiations for the return of Edward. While awaiting a response, Harold accompanied Pope Victor, whom he had met in Cologne, on his return to Rome.

  The party passed through the snow-clad Alps and Dolomites in time to arrive in Rome for Easter. After weeks of hard travel, Harold and Ealdred were glad of the opportunity to rest and recuperate in their lodgings at the English College in the Borough. The Borough was a part of the Holy City, which the Italians called the Borgo, granted to the English in King Alfred’s time as a haven for tired pilgrims. Away from England for so long, they felt quite at home. They had a break of a week or so while the Pope presided over a council at the Lateran.