Sussex, 1019 ADI had been vague about the surprise awaiting her and she took it to be Cumtun and its surroundings. To see it for the first time with fresh eyes must be a wonderful experience, as was revealed in Gytha"s expression. With pride, I pointed out the places familiar to me since childhood, but with the joy of sharing the unimpaired freshness of her appraisal.
I commenced with the building which was to be her home.
“It is a vill, given by King Alfred to his nephew Aethelm who held it before my father. You see, there is a royal connection and now, my dear, you are Queen of the Farmstead.”
I led her outdoors and pointed to the rolling greensward of the downland.
“Many hundreds of years ago, these hills were covered in forest, but now they are given to sheep and corn farming.”
My
