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Updated: June 18, 2025
Godrich let him talk, but his face was gloomy and he answered nought. But, though his tongue was silent, his heart was base and his thoughts were evil. 'Have I toiled all these years for nothing? he said to himself, 'and shall England be ruled by a fool, a maiden? I have a son, a full fair knave; he shall have England and be king.
Then Godrich for the first time in six years felt that he was indeed King of England. 'You are a wise maiden, cried he, his face glowing with joy; 'and, to show you how well I love you, I will give you much gold, and you shall have an archbishop to bless your marriage. And so it was done.
After the earl had sworn to fulfil what the king required of him, Athelwold made his will, and gave England into the keeping of Godrich. This done, he lay back in his bed, and that same morning he died in the arms of his daughter. But bad indeed was the choice which king Athelwold's vassals had made when they proclaimed earl Godrich as the fittest guardian for the young princess.
Then the king bade the priest bring the holy vessels, and earl Godrich swore on them that he would be faithful and true in peace and in war to Goldborough; and, further, that he would seek out a man who was better and fairer and stronger than all others to be her husband, so that the land might have peace, as in the days of Athelwold.
And when Earl Godrich had so sworn, the King shrived him clean of all his sins. Then having received his Saviour he folded his hands, saying, "Domine, in manus tuas;" and so he died. There was sorrow and mourning among all the people for the death of good King Athelwold. Many the mass that was sung for him and the psalter that was said for his soul's rest.
He lifted the mighty stone to the height of his shoulder, and sent it spinning through the air. 'Measure the cast, said the cook proudly; and when it was measured it was found to be twelve feet beyond the cast of any other man. Little was talked of that day but the wonderful throw of the young scullion, and soon it reached the ears of the knights at court, and in time, Godrich himself.
The bells were ringing next day when Havelok woke, and before he was dressed a message came ordering him to go at once to the earl's presence. He wondered for what cause he was wanted, for never yet had he had speech of the earl, and still more surprised was he to find Godrich clad in his most splendid robes, as if for a festival.
So Godrich, Earl of Cornwall, was chosen to guard the Princess. For he was a true man, wise in council, wise in deed, and he swore to protect his lady until she was of such age as no longer to have need of him. Then he would wed her, he swore, to the best man in all the land.
Then Havelok smote him to the earth with a blow upon the helm; but Godrich arose and wounded him upon the shoulder, and Havelok, smarting with the cut, ran upon his enemy and hewed off his right hand. Then he took Earl Godrich and bound him and sent him to the Queen.
My little daughter that after me shall be your queen; tell me in whose charge I may safely leave both her and England till she be grown of age to rule?" And with one accord they answered him, "In the charge of Earl Godrich of Cornwall, for he is a right wise and a just man, and held in fear of all the land. Let him be ruler till our queen be grown."
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