by M J Porter
It hadn’t appeased Leofric’s growing unease to be sat with men the king deemed treasonous whereas Earls Siward, Thuri and Hrani had been highly honoured. To either side of the English men, had sat the Danish men, Lord Otto, Beorn, Hakon, Erik and Gundulf. Leofric had spoken little during the feast.
Harthacnut’s demand for a hefty geld to finance his ship-army, who’d brought him to England, peacefully, in the end, was well known. Although the ship-army had been assembled as a military operation to wrench England from King Harald’s grasp, it had not been needed. Not after Harald’s death. Little else of the king’s real thoughts had been shared outside his close circle of Danish allies.
But all that would change now that the witan had been called. The king couldn’t keep his silence forever. Harthacnut would need to disclose his decisions with the men and women of the witan, and more, for some of his plans, he’d need the agreement of the witan to progress. Anything not already agreed with Harthacnut in Bruges would need to be assessed.
Leofric was beyond surprised when, following the king’s procession into the hall, wearing his regal crown from the day before, as well as a thick cloak encrusted with jewels, trimmed with fur, despite the warm weather outside, Harthacnut’s first action was to call for a trial.
Leofric almost missed the words, so focused was he on trying to calculate how much Harthacnut’s cloak was worth. It seemed Harthacnut shared his father’s love of conspicuous display. Leofric began to listen, only when a rustle of unease swept through the assembly.
“A trial, for those who committed treason against the body of the rightful king of England’s brother.”
Who, Leofric thought, did the king wish to punish? He swept his gaze around the hall, somehow unsurprised when his gaze settled on Earl Godwine.
Earl Godwine looked furious. No doubt Godwine had thought his involvement in the coronation service had meant the king had forgiven him. It seemed he couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Earl Godwine was instrumental in bringing about the murder of my half-brother. Earl Godwine, Bishop Lyfing and Archbishop Ælfric must all be tried for treason.”
“My Lord King,” it was Archbishop Ælfric who stood first, his face white with shock. “The actions of holy men are not for the king to adjudicate over. If there must be a trial, it will be conducted by the other holy men and women of England.”
“It will be conducted by the King of England, as is my right,” Harthacnut persisted, his voice as flat as always. He gave away none of his emotions, and Leofric admired the poise while decrying the actions.
What, Leofric considered, could Earl Godwine and the two holy men offer as a defence for their new king? The actions of a past reign were precisely that, in the past.
Archbishop Eadsige stood next, inclining his head toward Harthacnut. Eadsige had conducted the coronation ceremony the day before. There was no doubt that he was high in the favour of the new king, despite his tacit, and private, agreement that Harald should become king, but he too seemed unaware that the king would call for the trial of two of his holy men.
“My Lord King, Archbishop Ælfric is correct when he says the holy men must be tried by a church court. I’ll arrange for it to convene as soon as the witan has concluded.”
Harthacnut’s face didn’t so much as flicker at hearing the impossibility of his wishes from a man who’d remained publicly loyal to him. Yet, the king paused, clearly considering the words with the respect they’d been spoken.
“If that is the way it must be done, then that is the way it must be done. But I will attend. I wish to hear everything the two men offer in their defence.” This seemed to settle Archbishop Eadsige who inclined his head and gracefully retook his seat.
“But Earl Godwine, you don’t have the option of being heard before a church court. Instead, you will stand trial, before the witan. I’ll pronounce on your guilt.”
Earl Godwine had yet to stand, and Leofric was uneasy. What could he do to remedy the awkwardness of the situation? He had no love, at all, for Earl Godwine, but of all the earls, it had been Godwine who’d stayed loyal to Harthacnut for the longest.
Did this mean that the king was going to force him to stand trial as well? Worry fogged his mind, and it took him a moment to realise that Earl Godwine had slowly gained his feet, and stood, his head bowed, facing the king.
“My Lord King, I’ll know exactly what I’m accused of before I speak further.”
Leofric wasn’t sure if Harthacnut was going to answer, and then, when he did, his voice was still flat.
“You’re accused of waylaying my brother when he was legitimately invited to England by my Lady Mother. You killed his warriors, and then willingly handed him to King Harald. His death was the result of your actions.”
Leofric wavered in his thoughts, considering how Lord Godwine might respond. Would he deny the allegations, when they were so blatantly true? Certainly, Godwine had never gone out of his way to deny the truth while King Harald lived.
It was telling that Harthacnut didn’t accuse Lord Godwine of allowing Harald to become king when the throne should have passed to Harthacnut directly. This was more a personal attack, and Leofric could understand Harthacnut’s need to ensure someone paid for his brother’s murder, but the real culprits were both dead.
Leofric decided that Harthacnut had been forced to carefully consider his actions toward Godwine. He didn’t want to be accused of being as rash as his father had been when he’d ordered the executions of Northman and Ealdorman Eadric for treason. But it seemed he was unable to forgive the earl for his part in Lord Alfred’s death.
Harthacnut was out for revenge, in whatever form he could take it.
“Then, My Lord King, I would call witnesses to assure you that I acted on the wishes of the previous king. I didn’t make the decisions myself, but rather, I was compelled to do so by King Harald.”
Harthacnut’s cold eyes gazed at Godwine, and Leofric wished he could read his new king better. But Harthacnut had perfected the art of showing none of his real emotions.
“Then I would listen to these witnesses, and then make my decision. You have three days to bring them before me,” the king announced, his clipped tone indicating that the discussion was at an end.
Earl Godwine bowed and reclaimed his seat, but the gaze he directed at Leofric was filled with icy fury when he was caught looking at him. Leofric refused to look away, undaunted by Godwine’s annoyance.
Who, Leofric considered, would speak for the earl? Leofric hadn’t been at court when Lord Alfred had come to England. Indeed, he and Earl Godwine had come closer than ever before to taking weapons against each other on the night that Lord Alfred had been captured.
Would Lord Godwine rely on his warriors, or his children to speak for him? Would he implicate other men within the witan for also being involved? Leofric had never given much thought to how Harald had managed to convince Earl Godwine to act against Lord Alfred.
It had been a difficult time, with no true king of England, only two men who’d wanted to be, and one who’d been acknowledged as the king of Mercia. Or rather, Leofric considered a man who’d wanted to be king, and another, absent from England, who’d assumed that England would be his when he finally decided the time was right to arrive in England.
Lady Emma had been desperate for one of her children to secure England in their name. She’d been unable to tolerate the physical embodiment of her husband’s first marriage that Harald had represented, and it was she who’d invited her sons with King Æthelred to England. Even now, Leofric could find no reason for her actions that weren’t steeped in self-interest.
While Leofric’s thoughts revolved inside his mind, he tried to listen to the king’s words, but he found it impossible to concentrate while he spoke of matters in Denmark. Denmark was no longer relevant to England. Lord Svein ruled in Denmark, in his cousin’s name, and with Lady Estrid to assist him. The matter of Denmark’s safety, or not, from the reach of King Magnus of Norway, was
no concern for England. Not now the two kingdoms had separated.
While there were still Danish who held land in both England and Denmark, that number had become smaller and smaller as Cnut’s reign had continued, and really, there was no need for those people to demand the same king ruled both kingdoms. They’d survived well enough when Harthacnut had been king of Denmark, and Harald, king of England.
Earl Godwine was to be put on trial for the murder of the king’s half-brother. But the story truly began when Godwine had apprehended Lord Alfred and handed him over to Lord Ufegat. One thing was sure, Lord Godwine would need to think carefully about who he called to speak for him as a witness, and more, he’d need to be lucky to escape the wrath of Harthacnut. Every argument that Leofric could think of would only serve to infuriate the king further.
And Leofric was also sure that any attempt Lord Godwine made to involve his wife’s nephew in his trial would end badly. If anything, Beorn seemed even angrier with Godwine than Harthacnut. Leofric knew there’d be interesting times ahead.
Three days later, the witan reassembled. In the intervening time, Harthacnut had busied himself with points of law and justice, with ensuring all understood when the geld, agreed before his arrival at Sandwich, needed to be collected, and how those who refused to pay their fair share would be punished. Leofric had winced at the fierceness of the king’s demands and his threats that if there were problems he would unleash the Danish shipmen on the tardy settlements.
Leofric could only foresee the potential for difficulties if the king proved so adverse to compromise and renegotiation, if, and when it was needed.
But in other ways, Harthacnut had shown more of how he imagined ruling England would happen. He’d relied on his Danish advisors, his cousin Beorn and Lord Otto the most prominent, when issuing his commands. Harthacnut had continued to exclude his mother from the witan, and he’d thought to make pronouncements rather than seek the agreement of the men and women of the witan. That was the way it worked in Denmark, but not in England.
It had been a stressful few days, and Leofric imagined the coming day would only prove to be even more difficult. He’d be pleased when he could retreat to his properties in Mercia.
Earl Godwine had been present for each and every sitting of the witan, and yet Leofric knew he’d also found time to pull together the witnesses that he needed to prove to the king that he was not guilty of kidnapping Lord Alfred on a whim.
Leofric was unsure if he wanted Godwine to successfully defend himself or not. It was, he’d decided, better to know a likely enemy well, and certainly, he had a great deal of experience of handling Godwine and his endless ambitions. Did he really wish to have to come to an accord with whomever Harthacnut raised in Godwine’s place if the king declared him banished from England?
It was not an easy question to ask.
Seated before the men and women of the witan once more, Harthacnut wore his usual unfathomable expression as he began the proceedings for the day, his crown discarded for the day, although his armbands still glittered on his arms. Harthacnut came not as a king, but a warrior, to do battle, not with swords and war axes, but with words.
Leofric thought the king just as good with his words as he was with his weapons.
“Earl Godwine, you know the accusations levied against you. I’m prepared to listen to your defence. Begin.”
With no more preamble, although a great deal of quill’s scratched on parchment at the words, Lord Godwine stood and bowed respectfully before the king.
As ever, Lord Godwine had chosen to wear his wealth in his clothes, and in the jewellery, he wore around his neck and along his arms. The arm rings were no doubt a reminder that Godwine had been a warrior with Harthacnut’s father, but Leofric doubted such a tactic would defuse the king’s desire for revenge. Harthacnut wore his arm rings because he was a warrior. Godwine had not been one for many years.
“I’ll call ten witnesses who will confirm that my actions resulted from an express command given by the previous king. They stem from all levels of society, and all were present when the king gave his orders.”
“I would hear them all,” Harthacnut commanded, his tone laced with ice, showing his fury at the earl’s ploy to clear his name.
“Bring them in,” Earl Godwine instructed his oldest son, Sweyn, seeming to wait for the instruction before marching from the hall.
A few moments later, Sweyn reappeared, leading the ten people that Lord Godwine had determined could assure him of walking free of the king’s allegations.
Leofric watched the collection of people enter the hall. As Lord Godwine had said, they stemmed from all classes of society, apart from that of slavery. Leofric recognised more than half of them from his time with King Harald.
There was one of his door-wardens, one of his warriors, one of the servants, one of the priests and even one of the women who’d routinely warmed Harald’s bed for him. She seemed much recovered since King Harald’s death. For a moment Leofric watched her suspiciously, wondering whether she’d been responsible for the king’s death. But quickly, he stopped himself. The decision had been made to accept his death as an action. It would only cause difficulties to ask more questions.
Although, well, the fact that she now spoke for Lord Godwine only added to his scrutiny of her. Was it possible it had been set up all along? If it had, even as far-fetched as it seemed, Godwine was being poorly repaid for trying to ease Harthacnut’s path to the throne.
The witnesses stepped before the king, some overawed, others furious at what was happening to them, apart from the whore, who merely eyed Harthacnut suggestively. Leofric suppressed a smirk of amusement at her actions. She was an attractive woman, with luxurious hair tumbling down her shoulders, but Leofric wasn’t aware that Harthacnut had any great affinity for being pleasured.
Certainly, there’d be no talk of marriage and no woman had accompanied him from Denmark, even though he was a young man, who, if he were like his father, would have appreciated the opposite sex.
The other five individuals were all strangers to Leofric. How, he considered, had these five people come to overhear the king’s word to Godwine? Only then he received his answer when he took in the colour of the cloth they wore. These five all served Earl Godwine.
Leofric was prepared to listen to all of the testimony, but he couldn’t dismiss the thought that Lord Godwine had overlooked something so crucial that Harthacnut never would.
Lord Alfred had been captured, wounded and imprisoned before Harald had been declared as king of all England. Before that, Harald had been proclaimed king in Mercia, not in Wessex. Lady Emma and Godwine had determined to hold Wessex for Harthacnut, but events had escalated quickly when Harald had marched on Winchester to claim his half of the royal treasury so that he could rule, as he needed to.
Lord Godwine and Lady Emma had offered little resistance to Harald, enabling him to claim the whole of the treasury, but even so, Harald had not been crowned as king of England until after Lord Alfred’s death. As such, Earl Godwine had not, at that time, accepted Harald as his king.
And where, Leofric thought, had the discussion even taken place between Harald and Godwine? It must have been in Wessex, for Godwine could never be enticed to leave the safety of his lands, and that would mean that it had to have come while Harald was in Winchester, long before he’d been proclaimed king of all England.
Leofric doubted the king would have forgotten such details.
Before the witan, and the king in all his splendour, the witnesses were asked to give an oath supporting Earl Godwine’s claim that he’d acted on the orders of King Harald.
Not all managed the oath as well as others. If anything, those who served Earl Godwine struggled the most, tripping over their words as though they didn’t come naturally to them, as though they lied on pain of death, and Leofric was sure he wasn’t the only one to notice. But the witnesses who’d once served Harald spoke well. That did go some way to mitigating the stumbled wor
ds of the other witnesses.
Who, Leofric considered, was more fearful for their lives? Was it those who knew what Earl Godwine was capable of, or those who feared what he was capable of? And was it those who feared the retribution of their new king, or those who feared Godwine more? It was far from a settling spectacle to be forced to witness, even though all ten professed to tell the truth.
Leofric turned his attention to Harthacnut. It was evident, even in his implacable stare, that the king had made his decision about Earl Godwine. But in the light of such overwhelming evidence, would Harthacnut still try and return a guilty verdict on the earl?
Harthacnut had expected to rely on Earl Godwine as his father’s favoured earl when his father had died. The events of the five years between his father’s death, and his eventual arrival in England, had seen a great many changes.
Harthacnut had been let down by his mother, and Earl Godwine. Whatever revenge Harthacnut was taking against his mother, it seemed to be as private as it could be. Earl Godwine however, was another matter entirely.
After all, Earl Godwine had played no part in making Harthacnut a king, unlike Lady Emma and Cnut, who’d given him the right of blood.
When the last of the ten witnesses had finished speaking and been led away by Sweyn Godwinesson, a heavy silence fell amongst those attending the witan. The witnesses that Lord Godwine had produced had confirmed Lord Godwine’s assertion that he’d apprehended Lord Alfred on the instructions of King Harald.
That, however, didn’t seem to be enough for Harthacnut, and he remained still, almost immobile apart from one of his fingers, while Lord Godwine cast determined looks his way, confident that he’d managed to refute the charges.
“My Lord, I congratulate you on finding witnesses who could testify as to your fateful actions concerning my brother. I appreciate that you acted as per the wishes of the previous king, who should never have been king.” Leofric turned slightly to see the effect the king’s words were having on Godwine. Leofric tried to ignore his bitter disappointment that the king had not refused the witnesses testimony.