502 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



in Normandy. Edward was married to Gyda, the daughter 

 of Godwin jarl, son of Ulfnadr. Gyda's youngest brother, 

 Harald, Godwin's son, was raised in the hird of Edward. The 

 king loved him very greatly, and looked on him as his son, for 

 he had no children " (Harald Hardradi's Saga, c. 77). 



The death of King Edward the Confessor is here referred 

 to:- 



" One summer Harald Godwinson had to go to Bretland 

 (Wales), and went there by ship ; when they got out they had 

 head winds, and drifted out to sea. They landed in Northmandi 

 after having experienced a dangerous storm. They sailed up 

 to the burgh of Rouen (Riida), and met William (Vilhjalm) 

 jar], who gladly received them ; Harald stayed there a long 

 time, in the autumn, well entertained, for it kept on stormy, 

 and they could not get to sea. Towards winter the jarl in- 

 vited Harald to stay there during the winter. Harald sat in 

 a high-seat on one side of the jarl, and on the other side sat 

 the jarl's wife ; she was a very handsome woman ; these three 

 often conversed, drinking and amusing themselves. The jarl 

 usually went to sleep early, but Harald sat up long in the 

 evenings talking to his wife. This went on for a long time. 

 One evening she said : ' The jarl has asked me what we have 

 been talking about so often, and now he is angry.' Harald 

 answered : ' As soon as possible we will let him know all our 

 conversation.' The next day Harald wished to speak to the 

 jarl, and they went into the speaking (malriim) room, where 

 were also the jarl's wife and the councillors. Harald said : 

 ' I must say, jarl, that there are more reasons for my coming 

 hither than I have as yet told you. I want to ask thy 

 daughter for my wife ; I have often spoken of this to her 

 mother, and she has promised to help me in this matter with 

 you.' When Harald had said this, all present thought it well 

 fit, and recommended it to the jarl ; at last the maiden was 

 betrothed to Harald, but as she was young the wedding was 

 to be delayed for some winters. In the spring Harald made 

 his ship ready and went away ; he and the jarl parted with 

 much love. Harald went to England to King Edward (Jat- 

 vard) and never came back to Valland to celebrate his wedding. 

 Edward was king over England for twenty-three winters, and 

 died in London the fifth of January (1066) ; he was buried 

 in St. Paul's Church, and the English call him a saint" 

 (Harald Hardradi's Saga, cc. 78, 79). 



"The sons of Earl Godwin were then the most powerful 

 men in England. Tosti had been made chief over the king's 



