Southern England, 1040 ADThe arrival of Harthacnut and his mother in Sandwich, seven days before midsummer, marked the onset of the darkest and most dangerous period for me since my father"s estates were confiscated and he was outlawed. Neither was Harthacnut living his most glorious moment. He arrived with sixty-two warships – hardly the act of a wise man, more that of a fool. The Witan and I had invited him to take the throne. Was there need to mobilise an invasion army that would require p*****t?
Emma, much more astute and hell-bent on vengeance for the murder of Alfred, settled her wrath on me and Bishop Lyfing of Worcester. Lyfing had been a close friend and trusted counsellor of King Knut who accompanied him on his pilgrimage to Rome. I had grown close to this capable prelate, one o
