[184] Wite was a fine to the King or state for the violation of law. In case of murder another fine also was imposed, called the wér. The wite was satisfaction rendered to the state, and wér to the family of the deceased.
[185] Sáwl-sceat, soul tribute, formerly paid at the open grave for repose of the departed soul.
[186] See [Note], page [58] above.
[187] It is remarkable that the writer says nothing about the loss of the Peterborough booty.
[188] Perhaps Osbeorn was banished more because he had taken a bribe of William than for his misfortunes at sea. The bribe had bought off the Danish aid to the English. Swend had hoped that his fleet in conjunction with the defenders of the Camp of Refuge would gain him the crown of England.
[189] Svend, sometimes written Sweyn or Swegen, retained his mother’s name. He is called Estrithson. His mother Estrith was the sister of Canute—his father was Ulf a Danish Earl, and this Ulf was brother of Gytha the wife of the great Earl Godwine; hence the ground of Svend’s asserted claim.
[190] This remark applies to the former expedition in 1070, under Osbeorn. The resources of the country could not meet such a demand upon them as would now be made for a hasty outfit, and when we read further on that thousands “flocked from all parts,” we take it that this extraordinary effort belonged to the same preparation of 1070. There were plenty of plunderous adventurers around the Baltic shores—men who would give their services in the hope of rich booty, but we have to consider how long it would take to make known the proposed invasion and to collect recruits.
[191] It is stated in the Peterborough Chronicle that king Svend did come to the Humber with the expedition in 1070; but if he did he returned very quickly.
[192] Gyda was the daughter of Harold, Godwine’s son; she took refuge at Svend’s court and was married to king Waldemar.
[193] His son Cnut accompanied the fleet under Osbeorn—so did his son Harold. The latter became king of Denmark in 1076, the former in 1081. The two princes gained some experience with their uncle Osbeorn. Our author has separated the events from one expedition and added them to another. This fleet of 200 Danish ships under Cnut (and also earl Hakon) was not prepared till the year before Svend’s death, that is, in 1075. The Camp of Refuge had been assailed by William and the defenders dispersed; therefore no envoy could have gone from Lynn to the Danish court. The reader must put the two tales into one, and remember that the Danes under Cnut’s command came to our shores in 1075, went up the Humber, robbed or damaged York Minster, and retired.