CHAPTER XXXIII

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REIGNS OF HAROLD HAREFOOT AND HARDICANUTE.

Sketch of Canute's reputed sons--The succession disputed-- Rise of earl Godwin--Refusal of the archbishop to crown Harold Harefoot--Harold crowns himself, and bids defiance to the church--Conduct of Emma of Normandy--Her letter to her son Alfred--He lands in England, with a train of Norman followers--His reception by earl Godwin--Massacre of the Normans at Guildford--Death of Alfred, the son of Ethelred --Emma banished from England--Her residence at Bruges-- Hardicanute prepares to invade England--Death of Harold Harefoot--Accession of Hardicanute--Disinters the body of Harold--Summons earl Godwin to answer for the death of Alfred --Godwin's defence--Penalty paid by earl Godwin--Character of Hardicanute--His Huscarls--The inhabitants of Worcester refuse to pay the tax, called Dane-geld--They abandon the city--Reckless conduct of Hardicanute--He invites Edward, the son of Ethelred, to England--Hardicanute, the last of the sea-kings, dies drunk at a marriage-feast in Lambeth p. 272

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