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The two young Earls, whatever their ancestral renown, being yet new themselves to fame and to power, were submissive to the Anglo-Dane chiefs, by whom Morcar had been elected. And these, on recognising the standard of Harold, were unanimous in advice to send a peaceful deputation, setting forth their wrongs under Tostig, and the justice of their cause.
"What, against his own brother?" cried Edwin. "Against his own brother, if we convince but his reason," returned the Anglo-Dane. And the other chiefs nodded assent. Caradoc's fierce eyes flashed fire; but he played with his torque, and spoke not.
"Ha!" said he, "our worthy Anglo-Dane, how fares he?" This unceremonious salutation surprised all but him to whom it was addressed.
Nevertheless, I, in my degree, will testify my gratitude to this brave man; for where his exploits are mentioned in this history, I will cause to be recorded, 'This feat was done by Hereward the Anglo-Dane, whom it hath pleased his Imperial Majesty to call Edward. Keep this, good youth," she continued, bestowing at the same time a ring of price, "in token that we will not forget our engagement."
"Take treasure and ship, and go to Baldwin in Flanders," said Thorold, a great Anglo-Dane from Lincolnshire, "for even Harold's name can scarce save thee from outlawry." Tostig glared round on the assembly, and met but one common expression in the face of all. "These are thy henchmen, Harold!" he said through his gnashing teeth, without vouchsafing farther word, strode from the council-hall.
"Take treasure and ship, and go to Baldwin in Flanders," said Thorold, a great Anglo-Dane from Lincolnshire, "for even Harold's name can scarce save thee from outlawry." Tostig glared round on the assembly, and met but one common expression in the face of all. "These are thy henchmen, Harold!" he said through his gnashing teeth, without vouchsafing farther word, strode from the council-hall.
"What, against his own brother?" cried Edwin. "Against his own brother, if we convince but his reason," returned the Anglo-Dane. And the other chiefs nodded assent. Caradoc's fierce eyes flashed fire; but he played with his torque, and spoke not.
And without awaiting his answer, they strode from the hall. Around Northampton lay the forces of Morcar, the choice of the Anglo-Dane men of Northumbria. Suddenly there was a shout as to arms from the encampment; and Morcar, the young Earl, clad in his link mail, save his helmet, came forth, and cried: "My men are fools to look that way for a foe; yonder lies Mercia, behind it the hills of Wales.
Great was the slaughter, and ample the plunder; and the town, awed and depeopled, submitted to flame and to sword. Then the fleet sailed up the Humber and Ouse, and landed at Richall, not far from York; but Morcar, the Earl of Northumbria, came out with all his forces, all the stout men and tall of the great race of the Anglo-Dane.
"His news? his news?" cried the Earl, "with his own lips let him speak his news." The house-carle withdrew but to usher in the messenger, an Anglo-Dane. "The weight on thy brow shows the load on thy heart," cried Tostig. "Speak, and be brief." "Edward is dead." "Ha? and who reigns?" "Thy brother is chosen and crowned."
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