more generally supposed, from bare-sark,--or
rather from bear-sark, that is, whether this grisly specimen of the
Viking genus fought in his shirt or his bearskin, the name equally lends
itself to those mystifications from which half the old legends, whether
of Greece or Norway, are derived.

[68] Wace.

[69] See Note (E), at the end of the volume (foot-note on the date of
William's marriage).

[70] Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

[71] Some writers say fifty.

[72] Hovenden.

[73] Bodes, i.e. messengers.

[74] Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

[75] Or Fleur-de-lis, which seems to have been a common form of ornament
with the Saxon kings.

[76] Bayeux Tapestry.

[77] See note (F), at the end of the volume.

[78] The York Chronicle, written by an Englishman, Stubbs, gives this
eminent person an excellent character as peacemaker. "He could make the
warmest friends of foes the most hostile." "De inimicissimis,
amicissimos faceret." This gentle priest had yet the courage to curse
the Norman Conqueror in the midst of his barons. That scene is not
within the range of this work, but it is very strikingly told in the
Chronicle.

[79] Heralds, though probably the word is Saxon, were not then known in
the modern acceptation of the word. The name given to the messenger or
envoy who fulfilled that office was bode or nuncius. See Note (G), at
the end of the volume.

[80] When the chronicler praises the gift of speech, he unconsciously
proves the existence of constitutional freedom.

[81] Recent Danish historians have in vain endeavoured to detract from
the reputation of Canute as an English monarch. The Danes are,
doubtless, the best authorities for his character in Denmark. But our
own English authorities are sufficiently decisive as to the personal
popularity of Canute in this country, and the affection entertained for
his laws.

[82] Some of our historians erroneously represent Harold as the eldest
son. But Florence, the best authority we have, in the silence of the
Saxon Chronicle, as well as Knyghton, distinctly states Sweyn to be the
eldest; Harold was the second, and Tostig was the third. Sweyn's
seniority seems corroborated by the greater importance of his earldom.
The Norman chroniclers, in their spite to Harold, wish to make him junior
to Tostig--for the reasons evident at the close of this work. And the
Norwegian chronicler, Snorro Sturleson, says that Harold was the youngest
of all the sons; s