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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2000-03 > 0954348269


From: <>
Subject: Re: AngloSaxon Chronicle
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 11:44:29 EST


In a message dated 3/27/2000 4:08:25 PM, writes:

<< Isn't it strange that the chronicler says
three sons of Svein came but does not mention Harold's sons?
The 1068 entry ends with:
and the others, being small forces, escaped to the ships:
and Harold's sons went back to Ireland again.
and 1069 entry has:
Soon after this came from Denmark three of the sons of
King Sweyne with two hundred and forty ships, together
with Earl Esborn and Earl Thurkill, into the Humber
But we know from both Orderic Vitalis and Saxo Grammaticus that
the Danish invasion was caused by Harold's sons seeking help
from Svein Estrithson. It would be more logical if "three sons
of king Harold came from king Sweyne".>>

__________________________
Yet the text does not say this. Here is another translation from the Project
Gutenberg version, translated by James Ingram around 1835 and based on all
versions of the chronicle. It seems that it was the three sons of Swein that
were referred to.
- Ken
_____________________________
AD 1067: Amidst this came one of Harold's sons from Ireland
with a naval force into the mouth of the Avon unawares, and
plundered soon over all that quarter; whence they went to
Bristol, and would have stormed the town; but the people bravely
withstood them. When they could gain nothing from the town, they
went to their ships with the booty which they had acquired by
plunder; and then they advanced upon Somersetshire, and there
went up; and Ednoth, master of the horse, fought with them; but
he was there slain, and many good men on either side; and those
that were left departed thence.

AD 1068: After this came Harold's sons from Ireland, about
midsummer, with sixty-four ships into the mouth of the Taft,
where they unwarily landed: and Earl Breon came unawares against
them with a large army, and fought with them, and slew there all
the best men that were in the fleet; and the others, being small
forces, escaped to the ships: and Harold's sons went back to
Ireland again.

1069: Soon after this came from Denmark
three of the sons of King Sweyne with two hundred and forty
ships, together with Earl Esborn and Earl Thurkill, into the
Humber; where they were met by the child Edgar, and Earl
Waltheof, and Merle-Sweyne, and Earl Gospatric with the
Northumbrians, and all the landsmen; riding and marching full
merrily with an immense army: and so all unanimously advanced to
York; where they stormed and demolished the castle, and won
innumerable treasures therein; slew there many hundreds of
Frenchmen, and led many with them to the ships; but, ere that the
shipmen came thither, the Frenchmen had burned the city, and also
the holy minster of St. Peter had they entirely plundered, and
destroyed with fire. When the king heard this, then went he
northward with all the force that he could collect, despoiling
and laying waste the shire withal; whilst the fleet lay all the
winter in the Humber, where the king could not come at them. The
king was in York on Christmas Day, and so all the winter on land,
and came to Winchester at Easter. Bishop Egelric, who was at
Peterborough, was this year betrayed, and led to Westminster; and
his brother Egelwine was outlawed. This year also died Brand,
Abbot of Peterborough, on the fifth before the calends of
December.

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