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Updated: June 15, 2025
In the excitement of the last hour Alfgar had almost forgotten the meeting before him, but now it occupied his thoughts fully, and he began to expect the arrival of Anlaf each moment. He learned from the conversation around him that he and a portion of the band had gone to reconnoitre the position of the prey.
But of one thing we all feel sure; Anlaf cannot be alive, or revenge would lead him here. December 1013. Ethelred has fled to Normandy. He sent Queen Emma and her children before him. Sweyn, the Dane, is now King of England. There seems no resource but submission. We are told Edric Streorn is in high favour in the Pagan court; and still is ealdorman of Mercia. Alas! what a Christmas!
In this ship Anlaf himself had his place, in deference to his descent, and Alfgar accompanied him. It may easily be imagined he would sooner have been elsewhere. Scarcely a fishing boat belonging to the English could be discerned: the Danes made a desert around them. Eight years before, in the year 998, they had wintered on the island, and since that time had regarded it as a Danish colony.
"That was long ago; if you go back far enough these English were sea kings before they were spoiled by becoming Christians." "Hush; I think I hear steps." "Who comes?" cried one of the guards, challenging a newcomer. "I, Anlaf, your chief." And the father of Alfgar appeared on the scene.
The Chronicle simply adds, "A.D. 937. This year King Athelstan, and the Etheling Edmund, his brother, led a force to Brimanburgh, end there fought against Anlaf, and, Christ helping them, they slew five kings and seven earls." v Murder of Edmund.
"Would," he added, "I could be all to you which Edmund would have been had he lived; that, perhaps, is not possible; but I know, Alfgar," he added, "how to esteem faithfulness, even when it has been sometimes exercised at my expense, for one once a rival, now only thought of as a brother." Then he turned to Anlaf.
Agriculture revived; golden corn covered the bloodstained scenes of warfare; men lived once more in peace under the shadow of their homes, none daring to make them afraid. Anlaf was the first of the group we have introduced to our readers to leave this transitory world for a better one. He died a few years after the accession of Canute.
"It is well," said the king; "but it was the insult of a Christian, and shall be washed out in Christian blood. Anlaf, produce thy son." "Nay, nay, not now," cried Sidroc and others, for they saw that Sweyn was already drunk, and consideration for Anlaf made them interfere. "Not now; tomorrow, tomorrow." "Nay, tonight, tonight."
And while he slept he was wakened, yet but partly wakened, by a voice which seemed to belong to the borderland 'twixt sleep and waking. "Alfgar, son of Anlaf, sleepest thou?" "Surely I dream," thought he, and strove to sleep again. "Alfgar, son of Anlaf, sleepest thou?"
Elfwyn, Hilda, Herstan, Bertha, and Hermann, with his sisters indeed all the kindred of the bride were there. Of the kindred of the bridegroom but one, so far as we know, is living his father Anlaf. It has been a warlike race, and nearly all the members of the family have found a warrior's grave.
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