During Blot, I decided to make a sacrifice to Wade at this opportune time and I gave 20 marks to Bumoth. He brought a white horse to the Spearhafoc, slit the horse’s throat over the bow, carved some runes and rubbed the blood into them.
The Wade priest noticed there were already runes carved there, but he could not understand them. I asked a few other denominations of priest, but all insisted they were not for their God. We would need someone rune wise to tell us their meaning. The Spearhafoc had always seemed unnaturally quick and its former Brimwisa was suspected of being rune wise, so maybe these runes were the reason for the ship’s speed.
Edwina had found a husband, Wighere, the son of one of the King’s under reeves. They were obviously much in love. Wihtburg handled the negotiations with the family for me. Cuthwyn would be part of the household. I provided a dowry for Edwina and a bride price for Cuthwyn and made sure they were suitably dressed for the occasion.
The ceremony took part in Hrethmonath, where Wighere was from. Before the ceremony, myself and Wihtburg were handfasted. Bumoth officiated and waived his fee as a gift. The ceremony passed off successfully. The wedding was officiated by a priestess of Frige provided by Wighere’s family. The couple looked radiant although the groom’s family looked like they might have reservations. I made a decent job of giving the bride away and everything went smoothly. The Queen gave great honour to us by making a brief appearance for the wedding and giving a substantial present to the bride and groom. At this point the groom’s family’s reservations melted away and they could be seen to calculate that this was actually an advantageous match for their son.
We set sail for Britannia early in the spring and almost a week sailing along through channels between islands and sometimes in more open water. We had tokens from the King allowing us to sail in these parts and were made welcome in different settlements each night. after three days spent most of the day getting out of the winding channels of the firth at Rorskilde. We spent the evening still in the shelter of the channel and next day emerged into wider water. There was a southerly wind just about fair for heading to Linfirth. We spent most of the time sailing north and towards the end of the day saw the island of Anholt ahead. I had tokens from King Hrothulf allowing us to sail in these parts and we were allocated booths overnight.
We arrived at somewhere that seemed familiar to us Geats; a low-lying marshy area like the Mallanmere with reed beds, people fishing and fowling, herds of cattle and a little wildlife – elk browsing in marshes. After another day’s sail we arrived at a settlement on the edge of a sizeable lake. Odard pointed at the lake and said that was where he was from. The following morning, there was a short row across the lake and Odard found us somewhere to stay. He took Beornmod with him and said he would return in a day or two, or maybe send word. It was one more day to Linfirth, where Lemsvic was the biggest settlement and where we would stock up on provisions and try to complete our crew. Wihtburg told me that this area was where her ancestors originated.
Saehild left us at Hals, the start of our journey through the waterways, seeking passage to an island called Clare. Bumoth raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The next day as we sailed away, the priest said he only knew stories about Clare, but it was said to be an island sacred to Aegir or Clare, the husband of Rann, and was said to be home to a band of women warriors who did not welcome men to their shores. It was said that Thunor had gone there and been beaten and belaboured with clubs by the women. It was an old story but he believed some kind of community of women warriors lived there.
Lemsvic was at the western end of Linfirth on the southern side of a lagoon with narrow entrances east and west. Odard returned after a couple of days. Beornmod had been fostered out to a family linked to his family, this was not a suitable voyage for a youth. Odard had sworn to him that he would return.
Odard said that he was happy to pilot the Spearhafoc to Hameberg and pay his respects to the Ealdorman, so that we could be granted free passage as far as Friesian coast. He said that the Saxons were at war with the Wends and Friesians but not currently at war with the Danes. They were usually at war with Franks.
We gained two new members of the crew. Eadgyth was quite tall, handily built, and reasonably strong nimble, but had surprising ability with anything thrown. She was a Dane from South Jutland, an inexperienced sailor, with basic war gear but no armour. Athelbert was a West Geat with studded leather, grimhelm, spear and war shield. He was a professional ship guard so had some sea experience.
Just before we were ready to leave a man came to us, Beornwulf, leading a man hobbling on a crutch by a chain to a slave collar a man. He told me that he had heard we were looking for a pilot across the dead sea. He told me that his slave was an Angle who claimed to be a great pilot, but he was no use as a smith and a bad slave. He’s a runner, he explained and I had to hamstring him, but he could still hold a tiller. The Angle had crossed the dead sea more than once and I could have him for three marks. Tohrwulf, Herewulf and I each put in a mark.
I had his chains struck off and told him he was free. I gave him some basic kit and showed him the tiller and got him a seat. Eadrid and he talked and found they knew people in common back in East Anglia and had both been captured on missions taking Angles from Anglia to Britannia. He said his name was Akka and asked if he was really free and could leave and I assured him that this was so.
We discussed the plans for the journey, the Danes were unsure how this would benefit them, it wasn’t a trading or raiding voyage and they had nothing to visit in Britannia so were unsure of how they would benefit from the trip. They agreed to go as far as Hameburg and then make their decisions.
We set sail near the end of Hrethmonath with Akka steering us out of the small mouth to the lagoon taking advice from Odard. We soon emerged into the open sea and headed south or south west straight into a strong breeze and had to row hard. Some of the crew took a day or two to recover from sea sickness, but by the third only Eadgyth was still feeling queasy.
On the third day we navigated into a river estuary and Odard and Akka told us that there was hard rowing ahead and we wouldn’t make it to Hameburg that night. We pulled up on a strand with a palisaded burg above and shortly some armed men arrived to greet us.
Their leader was Albrand, the harbour guard of Cuxhaven. I told him we were headed to give our respects to Ealdorman Volkar. He carefully questioned each crew member. He complained about Danes being as common as fleas on a dog and then his eyes went wide when he saw Chidi. When he got to Osgyth he stopped in his tracks and said that they usually hung Friesians. Bertildis said that she stood for this woman and that she was as good a Saxon as he. Albrand raised his eyebrows, but moved on.
We beached the boat and were shown booths where we could rig an awning. I was invited to bring a few companions to the hall but not the Friesian. It was a larger settlement than Gefndene with a more military palisade and a reasonable hall. I introduced myself to Godsbrand the theign, and we were greeted courteously and space made for us. It was quite noisy and raucous; things had been much staider and more subdued in Hereot. Tohrwulf got drunk and ended snoring face down in his food.
There was a man stood by Godsbrand who banged his staff, asking for silence. I was given a chance to tell my tale and I managed to capture their interest. I was glad of the last few nights when I had taken the opportunity to refine my flyting. Someone mentioned someone else had been through recently and their tale was not at odds with mine. There seemed to be a feeling that the Geats had done well to free the Eowan slaves including Saxons rather than keeping them as slaves for themselves, so we felt welcome.
The following morning, we were offered the services of a river pilot to take us to Hameberg. The pilot was only a youth of around 15, named Ythil but he seemed to know the river. Akka and Odard probably didn’t need his service but he came into his own by guiding us to place where we had to moor the boat amidst a forest of other boats rather than beaching it on a strand. Ythil went off and returned shortly with Hygebryht the harbour guard. We were given a similar questioning to the one at Cuxhaven and the guard raised his eyebrow at Osgyth but made no great fuss. I told him we sought audience with the Ealdorman and he said he would send word, but it wouldn’t be tonight. We were told not to take armour and weapons into town and to guard the ship.
The two Angles, Osgyth, Bertildis and Herewulf stayed as a guard and the rest of us headed into the town to try to find accommodation for the night. It was a large place with maybe as many people as in Visby or Rorskilde but everyone seemed more cheek by jowl and the taverns seemed to be places where people set to with a will to consume ale, mead and even wine.
We didn’t start the brawl, but it was hard to avoid. Myself and Wihtburg along with Herefrith and Tohrwulf had gone into the same tavern and had found places at a couple of tables in different parts of the place. There were a lot of people drinking hard and we hadn’t been there long when fists were raised simultaneously in more than one part of the bar, and soon fists were joined by jars and benches as weapons. One of the drunken brawlers threw a punch at Herefrith who did not return the blow but tried to step back. He inadvertently bumped the person behind, who took exception. Tohrwulf went to his aid as he was now faced with two opponents. The man behind struck Herewulf a glancing blow with his jar, but Tohrwulf punched him and he turned on his assailant. Tohrwulf was joined by an ally and hit his opponent again but was then punched on the left arm. His ally picked something up and thumped down on the man’s head and he sank to the ground. Herefrith was hit by the man facing him, but he punched the drunk in the face and Tohrwulf hit him in the stomach and he threw up and staggered away.
Meanwhile another drunk tried to grab Wihtburg’s hair but just managed to knock her headdress askew as she ducked away. I punch him hard and he reeled away. We headed for the door and saw a large man bearing a heavy cudgel heading towards, so we stepped aside to let him deal with the ruckus. Tohrwulf and Herefrith saw a path to the door and we all met up outside and headed back to the boat to spend an uncomfortable and crowded, but at least peaceful, night in the ship.
In the morning all were accounted for bar Sperling, who hadn’t arrived by mid-morning. No-one remembered when he had disappeared. The Danes had been together but they had lost track of him at one bar. Ythil said he could make enquiries, so I gave him some silver and sent him to the last bar the Danes remembered his presence. Soon after a message arrived that Ealdorman Volkar awaited us.
Accompanied by Herefrith, Herewulf, Tohrwulf and Wihtburg, I was led up the hill to an outcropping of rock where stakes had been hammered into the rock to make a substantial palisade. There was a large Hall, which was not as large or as fine as Hereot. It smelt of stale beer and vomit and there were still people lying on the floor. There was a red-haired man, with a foxy look, sitting at board, eating daintily and drinking a cup of wine out of a fancy glass vessel. There was a platter of titbits in front of him. He had someone bring up a bench opposite him and I introduced myself and my companions
He had heard of Osgar and his generosity he told me. He beckoned to a servitor and said something in his ear and the servitor left. I started to tell my tale and it soon became apparent that he was more interested in details than my flyting. He asked a number of questions concerning numbers and tactics, then follow up questions about Osgar and other principal people. The servant returned with somebody – a woman dressed as a walkyrie. Both Tohrwulf and Herewulf remembered her and told me that Frithigif had been freed from the Eowan army. She was surprised to have been recognized and confirmed that she knew us by sight even without Osgar’s presence. She was glad to have the opportunity to thanks us again in person. She obviously had some connection to Volkar.
Volkar said he was pleased to help us on our onward journey and we returned to the Spearhafoc.
It was late morning when I saw Hygebryht the harbour master pushing towards us along the busy quay. He had a couple of his men with him, armed with spears and another couple carrying a burden between them. As they draw level with our ship, I could see it was the body of Sperling.
Hygebryht said he heard that we had been making enquiries after one of our crew and asked me to confirm that it was indeed this man. He had been found in the space between two halls. His wounds were to the front and he had a witness that says it was not at least a knifing in the dark – though he wouldn’t be drawn on whether it was a fair fight. Sperling’s purse was still upon his belt.
Hygebryht said he would establish the full truth of the matter but asked in return for my pledge, that I would will allow the Ealdorman’s justice to take its course. Any feuds that arise from this matter must be pursued outside the Hameburg and not allowed to disrupt the Ealdorman’s Peace. His tone was apologetic and conciliatory but firm. He asked me to consider the wergeld appropriate to Sperling’s status.
As he was speaking, a modest-sized crowd formed to hear his words. There was anger against both Angles and Danes and Odard, Horsa and Ecglaf started to put on their armour and reach for weapons. Hygebryht turned away and his men tried to disperse the crowd. I asked the Danes in our crew not to draw their weapons and told Hygebryht that I was confident in the Ealdorman’s justice and would consider the wergeld due. Hygebryht and his men dispersed the crowd with cudgels and spear-butts. With the help of my fellow Geats calm was somewhat restored on the Spearhafoc.
The bier on which Sperling was brought to the Spearhafoc was still there on the quay. Wihtburg suggested that it should be brought aboard, cleaned up and prepared for funeral. The Danes agreed and they worked with her to strip him, clean his wounds and put him in his best clothes and byrnie. As Hygebryht had said, his wounds were all to the front – probably made by one or more scramasaxes. His own scramasax was in its sheath and proved to have been put away dirty – covered in blood and soil.
The Danes maintained that wergeld should be refused and the price paid in blood. Bertildis offered the information that the customary rate for a free man amongst the Saxons was about 20 marks. Sperling was the son of a thegn (though not a thegn himself) so we should be asking more, but she knew not how much, knowing little about his circumstances. Odard owned that Veyro whence came Sperling was a tiny island – smaller by far even than Samso – but he thought there were four other islands in his father’s holding. He had been wealthy enough to own a byrnie and a sword. Wihtburg suggested that I could lay the facts in front of Volker and bid him suggest a fair wergeld in accordance with Saxon law.
As we discussed this a messenger appeared and bad me come with him up to the burh to speak with Lord Volker. The Danes were keen to accompany me and pushed the view that they should bear Sperling’s body with them. Horsa said that if there were any question of guilt then the wounds of a dead man were said to bleed afresh in the presence of his killer. Bertildis said that if this was nonsense – as she strongly suspected – it seemed an excellent way of giving a guilty man the appearance of innocence. She did say, though, that Sperling did look noble laid out in his war gear and the sight of him might be more persuasive than any description of his virtues.
I thought it best to leave the Danes on the Spearhafoc, so I took Wihtburg with me along with Tohrwulf and Bertildis and left the others to keep the peace on the Spearhafoc. I decided to follow Wihtburg’s suggestion and present the facts to Volker and ask him to suggest the Wergeld.
We were treated with the utmost courtesy and ushered into the presence of Ealdorman Volker. He was at his chair on the dais and greeted me in a polite and friendly manner and offered his heartfelt condolences for the loss of our comrade. He asked whether I was content to accept a settlement and if so what Wergeld I sought.
I agreed to a settlement, gave a short account of Sperling and what I knew of his background and suggested Volker set an appropriate Wergeld in keeping with the status of the dead man and the customs of the Hameburg. Volker thanked me for my courteous response and assured me that he would seek a fair settlement he hoped I would find satisfactory.
Three men were brought in. They were ill-dressed and unkempt and one of them had a heavily bandaged arm in a sling. They were all Angles and a couple of them looked familiar. Bertildis whispered that the one called Arcil was one of the slaves freed at Ottenby – a notable warrior who fought in Eata’s eored and the one with the sling, Uhtraed, was also from Ottenby but had spent a lot of time in the infirmary recovering from the Seith-brew. The other was called Framric – none recalled him. There was also a woman in a red-hood – probably a prostitute – and a well-dressed man of middle years.
Volker asked the three Angles for their side of the matter. Uhtraed told how the three of them had encountered Sperling and the woman in an alley between two taverns. Sperling had clearly been very drunk and was being led by the woman. They had passed each other in single file and he was at the back and had suddenly recognised Sperling. He had greeted him as an old comrade but Sperling had complained about Anglian beggars. Uhtraed had grabbed him by the arm to get his attention, whereupon Sperling had whipped out his scramasax and had thrust it into him. His two companions had rushed back to help him, Framric had pulled Uhtraed to safety while Arcil had taken the brunt of the Dane’s assault. He had drawn his own scramasax to defend himself and in the ensuing scuffle Sperling, in his drunken rage, had more or less thrown himself upon Arcil’s blade. The woman had begun screaming and they had thought it best to depart the scene as quickly as possible and to seek the aid and advice of Master Daegbeorht (the well-dressed man nodded his head at this). Daegbeohrt had told them to give themselves up to the Harbour Master the next day.
The woman confirmed the gist of the tale but was unable to confirm who had struck the first blow – she had been leading Sperling to her hut and he had been a little behind her – though she did confirm that Sperling had spoken disparagingly of Angles. It had all happened very quickly.
Volker listened patiently to their accounts and asked a few questions. When all the witnesses were done, he pursed his lips and twiddled his thumbs while he contemplated for a while. He then rose from his seat and declared his judgement. It was a difficult case because there was clearly injury on both sides. Moreover, it was likely to inflame tensions within his burh for there were many Angles sheltering there after the loss of their lands to the Danes and many Danes who lived and traded here. It was important not only to be even-handed in justice but also to send a message to those who would cause disorder in the burh that there would be a price to pay if they did so.
Though Sperling was of thegnly rank, he was but the fourth son of a thegn who was not one of the foremost in the Danelands. Though a worthy man no doubt he was not one who had won great renown for himself. Thus, he set Sperling’s wergeld at 40 marks – twice that of a common man. He glanced at me to see if I had any complaint at this assessment.
However, it seemed that Sperling had had at least some hand in his own wyrd and seemed to have struck the first blow. Thus, in his judgement the wergeld levied upon his killers to be paid to his hlafod, Hrothgar, should be halved to 20 marks. However, there was also boht to be paid to the burh for the breaking of its peace and this he set at another 40 marks. 20 marks of this he would give to me, that I and my crew did not feel slighted by a low wergeld for their comrade. How I presented this to them was my business but he did expect my word that there would be no further trouble made in the Hameburg over this matter.
As to the killers, it seemed to him that the man Framric had drawn no blade nor struck no blow. The man Uhtraed by his actions had caused this trouble, but had himself sustained a wound. The man Arcil had freely admitted that he had engaged in the struggle with Sperling and had struck the fatal blow. Thus, Uhtraed and Framric would be bound over to keep the peace but Arcil would be served a sentence of minor outlawry.
He turned then to Daegbeorht and asked him whether as the spokesman for the Angle community in the Hameburg he and his kin would stand surety for the wergeld and boht – for he doubted that the three were able to do so. Daegbeorht sighed but agreed.
Finally, he turned to me and asked if I agreed to this judgement and accepted the offered wergeld as full settlement of the matter. I thanked Volker for his honest and wise judgment and accepted the wergeld as full settlement of the matter.
After about three hours we returned to the ship. I explained Volker’s judgment and told the Danes that I had accepted it. They formed a huddle and then went for a walk. I reminded them I had given my word that this would go no further in the Hameburg and they acknowledged that.
Eventually the Danes returned. They had discussed the judgment and accepted that I had given my word. They had considered the matter more widely. They had all been away from home a long time and none had realised quite how serious the situation with the Angles had become as they were not from that part of the Danemark. They had decided it would be madness for Danes to travel to Britannia and had decided to leave the Spearhafoc. They would take Sperling’s body with them. He had been in bad odour with his family and therefore they would not go to Varo. They wanted no share of the wergeld.
I decided to keep 20 marks to pay for the wergeld to Sperling’s family and would pay the other half myself. I would give a mark to each of the remaining crew. Eadgyth had not aligned herself with the other Danes and stayed with the Spearhafoc.