United States or Malawi ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
When the party of Anlaf arrived at the northern gate, crossing the summit of the ascent on that side, they found it open and almost unguarded, so slight was the danger from the dispirited English now too accustomed to the idea of a foe in the heart of the land.
The spot was very interesting to Elfric, for here his ancestor Sebbald had fought by the side of the invading king, Cynric, the son of Cerdic, and had fallen "gloriously" on the field. "Look," said Anlaf, the guide, "at that sloping ground which rises to the northwest. In that hollow they placed their archers, and here their javelin men and cavalry were arranged after the old Roman fashion.
While we stood rooted by horror to the spot, a bright light arose, which rapidly increased, as a conflagration well might in such a wind, and soon the whole horizon was illuminated. I knew but one homestead in that direction the fortified house of Anlaf. I thought of the poor boy, with thankfulness that we had restrained him from returning home.
His name is Anlaf. Some say he boasts of being a descendant of that Anlaf who once ravaged England, and was defeated at Brunanburgh. He married an English girl, whose heart, they say, he broke by his cruelty. They had one child, Alfgar by name. The mother died a Christian.
Sithric died in a twelvemonth after; and his two sons by a former marriage, Anlaf and Godfrid, founding pretensions on their fathers elevation, assumed the sovereignty without waiting for Athelstans consent.
The old warrior was silent, and, in spite of his stoicism, Anlaf thought a tear stood in his eye. "So don't tell me I could not give up an only son," added Sidroc. Anlaf made no reply, but only sighed a sign of weakness he strove to repress the moment he betrayed it. They walked back together to the camp, and there they parted. Anlaf repaired at once to his tent, and found Alfgar seated therein.
"Yield, and I will ask King Anlaf to make thee a general in the Danish army. Castle and tower shalt thou have, and everything that thou canst desire, if thou but do as I counsel thee." "Better death than that," replied Guy, and still fought on. At last, taking his battle-axe in both hands, he gave Colbrand such a blow that his sword dropped to the ground.
Greater contrast in an interview than in this at Andover, between heroic Olaf Tryggveson and Ethelred the forever Unready, was not perhaps seen in the terrestrial Planet that day. Olaf or "Olaus," or "Anlaf," as they name him, did "engage on oath to Ethelred not to invade England any more," and kept his promise, they farther say.
"Have you seen Edric the sheriff?" asked Elfwyn. "Not lately. Has he been here?" "He has, and there was something in connection with his visit which troubled me. He had been telling me for a long time about the cruelties and insolence of the Danes, when he added, in a marked manner, that they might go too far, for hundreds of their countrymen, like Anlaf here, were living unprotected amongst us."
Stand forth, Edric Streorn, for thou art the man, and my sword shall prove it, if need be." "Edmund, thou ravest," cried the king; "produce thy witnesses." "Alfgar, son of Anlaf, answer; whom didst thou espy talking with Sweyn?" "Edric Streorn." "How didst know him?" "Because he threatened my life on St. Brice's night, and I had often seen him while dwelling in Mercia."
Word Of The Day