The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls by Mercedes Rochelle

Author:Mercedes Rochelle [Rochelle, Mercedes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Published: 2016-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

TOSTIG REMEMBERS

I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say the death of our father shocked the whole nation. It's too bad his glorious return from exile was marred by my brother Swegn. It was always Swegn with him. Even in his absence Swegn had an undue influence on father, who rarely smiled that last year and aged visibly before our eyes. When word came back that Swegn had died on his pilgrimage, well that was the end of father, too. Or rather, the beginning of the end.

But in some ways, father's passing was a bit of a blessing for us, because King Edward needed Harold and me more than ever. And for some reason, the king chose to let his ill feelings die with our father. I always wondered whether he felt some guilt over the way he treated our family. It was very foolish to send us into exile, although he could never admit it. A king doesn't ask anyone for forgiveness.

Nonetheless, he made Harold Earl of Wessex at once, and because it was Easter he convened the Witan to confirm his appointment. I thought there might be some grumbling about Harold's new status, but the king took care of that. He gave Harold's vacant East Anglian earldom to Aelfgar, Leofric's son.

The only person disappointed was me! But nobody cared about my feelings. Harold, who was overwhelmed by his new honors, never thought to champion his little brother.

Though I admit, Aelfgar was given the earldom during our family's exile, and he lost it again when Harold returned. I always wondered how he felt about that. I know I would have stirred things up if it had been me! But I suppose it was only proper for the king to give it back to him and keep the peace.

So I bided my time. Since I had no earldom to keep me busy, I brought my wife to court and made myself useful to King Edward. My sweet Judith is a godly woman, and the king couldn't help but love her. She often attended mass in his company, and spent many hours with my sister Editha; her needlework is exquisite, and the Queen often asked her help with the most difficult pieces.

Harold's wife, on the other hand, was distasteful to the king. They were never properly married by the Church, and Edward couldn't abide that. I don't think the king liked Harold all that much, but my brother proved himself an able administrator and he kept his earldom in good order. There was no rancor between them, but I noticed Harold spent much of his time while in London at his own chancery, located near but separate from the king's palace. He was rarely seen at the king's side unless he had specific business.

King Edward loved to hunt, and I went with him almost every time he ventured out. I think his pleasure during those heady days even exceeded his religious fervor. He always got the kill, and the rest of us stepped back, never interfering unless he looked like he was in danger.

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