498 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



dead, my brother Edmund got the realm and the kingship, 

 for he was the oldest of the brothers. I was well satisfied 

 \\hile he lived. After him, Knut, my stepfather, ruled ; it was 

 not easy to claim it while he lived. After him my brother 

 Harald was king while he lived ; when he died, my brother, 

 Horda-Knut, ruled over the Danish realm, and it was thought 

 the only right division between us brothers that he should 

 be king both over Denmark and England, and that I had no 

 realm to rule. When he died, it was the will of all the people 

 to make me king over England. While I had no king's name 

 I served my chiefs (hofding) not prouder than those who were 

 not born to rule. Now I have been consecrated as king, and 

 have got the kingship as fully as my father had it before me. 

 That name I will not give up while I live. If Magnus comes 

 hither with his host, I will not gather a host against him ; 

 he can then take England, and first put me to death. Tell 

 him these words of mine.' 



" The messengers went back to Magnus, and told him all. 

 He answered slowly : ' I think it is most just and best to let 

 Edward have his realm in peace for me, and keep this which 

 Gi-od has given me ' ' (Magnus the Good's Saga, cc. 38, 39). 



