it with favour. It may be that here it will come also. For your sake
I will listen if a teacher comes to me."

The thanes thought little of this boon, and they all answered that it
was freely granted. But they said that it was no boon to give, and bade
her ask somewhat that was better.

"Why then," she said, "if I must ask more, think no more of me as queen
save as that I am the wife of the king. Havelok is your ruler in good
sooth."

That pleased them all well, and they laughed and wished that all had
wives who had no mind to rule.

"Here is word that is going home to my wife," said one to his neighbour.
"If the queen sets the fashion of obedience, it behoves all good wives
to follow her leading."

"Maybe I would let some other than yourself tell the lady that,"
answered the other thane with a great laugh, for he knew that household
and its ruler.

So Goldberga had her will, and then began the long years of peace and
happiness to the kingdoms of which all men know. Wherefore I think that
my story is done. What I have told is halting maybe, and rough, but it
is true. And Goldberga, my sister, says that it is good. Which is all
the praise that I need.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far went Radbard, my friend, and then he would tell no more. So it is
left to me, Wislac the priest, who have written for him, to finish. He
says that everyone knows the rest, and so they do just now. But in the
years to come, when this story is read, men will want to know more. So
it is fit that I should end the story, telling things that I myself know
to be true also.

Sigurd's host went back in the autumn, rich with the treasure of Alsi
the king; and from that time forward no Danish host ever sought our
shores. Wars enough have been in England here, but they have not harmed
us. No host has been suffered to cross the borders of Lindsey or East
Anglia, save in peace, and in the wars of Penda of Mercia Havelok has
taken no part. Yet he has had to fight to hold his own more than once,
but always with victory, for always the prayers of the few Christians
have been with him.

They set Earl Ragnar to hold the southern kingdom for Havelok and his
wife; and presently, when he was left a widower, he wedded the youngest
daughter of Grim, Havelok's foster father. Eglaf was captain of the
Lincoln courtmen or housecarls, whichever the right name may be among
those who speak of them. One name is