Sunday, July 28, 2019

Part 11: Harefoot and Harthacnut


Peace and Brotherhood

Harthacnut made peace and brotherhood with ere his father’s other sons. Aptness came to him through Emma and Canute in weal and equal parts. So sprought a scheme, this Harthacnut, to well protect his birthright fairly given, but unfairly taken from those brothers of his half. In ways to keep the grimness of foul envy of a brother ‘gainst his brother, Harthacnut gave stewardship of Anglish woes to his half-brother he deposed, whose name be Harold Harefoot now. There sat Harold Harefoot up upon the throne in savvy Harthacnut’s wære stead, and busy would he fill in mootcraft wrought about the aitland[1] thed. So had he Swein, by half of blood, be at his flank up on the Norse, and Harefoot to the paltry west in English throes, but weal in course.

Some say though he loved his brothers eft by half, and gave them each the best he had. A clever family: ruled they hap above most Viking shores.

Unrest on the Island

The Witan back in England wrought the turn what’s following. They well preferred this Harefoot and his manner eft above the king who, absent, did not earn their loyalty. Quickly, Harefoot, would he issue orders based upon the banter of his men. When paraverunt duces locales advised the regent resident, he harkened well and many times would do what they suggested then. Also was he excellent at sport, and fleet of foot, from which they got his nickname Harefoot from. Thencewhen, all the Witan a Gemot met when, and made this Regent of the highest chair unto a chieftain King, for they were mighty irritated by the absent king who wouldn’t come to live among his people, Harthacnut, called in this land Cnute III.

Lo call this back unto your brain: Edward and his brother Ælfred, they of Emma, were they elevated; Swein and Harefoot, they Ælfgifu’s, deprecated. But above both pairs of boys was situated Harthacnut in great Canute’s own voy.

Each of Harthacnut, the favored of the former well-loved king, and Harefoot, he beloved too and there in situ home, had martial allies that could nary be dismissed. There were two Earls: Leofric of Mercia supported claim of Harold Harefoot; and then Godwin, he of Wessex, who supported Harthacnut.

During this uncertain time, when no-one could predict who might find upper hand, the priest of Canterbury, Æthelnoth, refused to crown the regent, Harefoot, over Harthacnut. In ’37, finally, he did relent, as all the Witan men declared to him this Harefoot would be king, and they would find a priest to do it if this Æthelnoth would well decline.

Harefoot had now machinants to wright his scheme to sire those to rule this land. He begged his Norman brothers-half to cross the Channel and to break some bread with him, and feast. All would be put past and would they make together plans dynastic, some for each. So withacht their father’s reckless game it would be Harefoot’s throne aswain! After though, this Harefoot king be raised up by the Witan to the station he would right assume by right Divine upon right island nation’s mains!



[1] Kingdom, land or homeland

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