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Updated: June 19, 2025
Wherefore Streone sent for them in friendly wise, as if to recall his words, and they went, and came from his house alive no more. Then their men went to avenge their lords' deaths, and were driven into St. Frideswide's church, and that was burnt over their heads.
Now I thought, when we were fairly on the road, that we would go to Peterborough, to my good friend the Abbot Elfric, for I would fain tell him all this, thinking that he might warn Eadmund of Streone to more effect than could I. And inside the abbey walls would be a safe place for the night.
"Edric Streone is with King Ethelred," said Olaf; "he is not Cnut's man." "He has been Swein's man; and if it suits him will be Cnut's. I will not alter my saying of him." "Ethelred believes in him," answered Olaf, "and Eadmund the Atheling believes in him as in himself." "So much the worse for them," said the earl; "you will see if I am not right.
Streone the traitor is no more." I took him away to a quiet place, for this news was strange, and the thralls were listening wonderingly, and I asked him how this came about. "Master, I slew him myself," he said grimly. Then said I: "By subtlety after his own manner?" "Not so, master. But even in Cnut's own presence." So I was amazed, and bade him tell all.
Little had I done to deserve it; but who shall know what wins the love of rough souls like these? Strange news came with Streone, though I had heard rumours thereof before, as I have said. It was true that Cnut was to wed Emma the queen; and they had, as it seemed, already been betrothed, at the advice of the three great jarls.
"He did so," the Danes said, for they loved Egil, and Streone was a stranger of no great reputation, though high in rank. "Set him loose," said Egil. "I will have no man interfere with my captives." Then Streone hid his anger, and took Egil aside while the Danes and Thrand set me free. Presently Egil broke out into a great laugh. "Want you to hang him for slaying men of yours!" he cried.
It was in my mind to see Eadmund and leave him at once, before Streone knew that any man had come into the town, if I could. The bridge was barred, and the gates were too high to be leapt; but the guards were sleepy, and would not let me through, until I bade them open in the king's name. Then they did so, and we rode clattering up the street to the great hall.
And it was nothing more or less than that they would fall on Edric Streone and slay him when and where they met him. I would that they had not asked me, but had wrought the deed on their own account. But I said that I could not have this done, for it was too much after Streone's own manner of settling things.
I know Edric Streone over well, and he knows it, and hates me." "Come, therefore, and take Ethelred out of his hands," Olaf said. "Not I. Let him inlaw me again first. I will not go and ask pardon for what I have not done." And after that the earl would say no more on the matter, waxing wroth if Olaf would try to persuade him.
And when he had heard all, he said: "Let me send for Edric Streone, my foster father, and we will take counsel with him." "Send round the war arrow first, my prince," I urged, "then when the earl comes no time will be lost. He cannot but counsel you to raise men instantly." "Why," he said, "Cnut can but fall on the east coast.
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