Wulf the Saxon

Wulf the Saxon

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Title: Wulf the Saxon A Story of the Norman Conquest
Author: G. A. Henty
Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8745] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 9, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WULF THE SAXON ***

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WULF THE SAXON
A Story of the Norman Conquest
By G. A. HENTY

PREFACE.
Although the immediate results of the Battle of Hastings may have been of less importance to the world than were those of some other great battles, the struggle has, in the long run, had a greater influence upon the destiny of mankind than any other similar event that has ever taken place. That admixture of Saxon, Danish, and British races which had come to be known under the general name of English, was in most respects far behind the rest of Europe. The island was, as it had always been,--except during the rule of two or three exceptionally strong kings,--distracted by internal dissensions. Broad lines of division still separated the North from the South, and under weak Kings the powerful Earls became almost independent. The enterprise that had distinguished their Saxon and Danish ancestors seems to have died out. There was a general indisposition to change, and except in her ecclesiastical buildings, England made but little progress in civilization from the time of Alfred to that of Harold. Its insular position cut it off from taking part in that rapid advance which, beginning in Italy, was extending throughout Europe. The arrival, however, of the impetuous Norman race, securing as it did a close connection with the Continent, quickened the intellect of the people, raised their intelligence, was of inestimable benefit to the English, and played a most important part in raising England among the nations. Moreover, it has helped to produce the race that has peopled Northern America, Australia, and the south of Africa, holds possession of India, and stands forth as the greatest civilizer in the world. The Conquest of England by the Normans was achieved without even a shadow of right or justice. It was at the time an unmixed curse to England; but now we can recognize the enormous benefits that accrued when in his turn the Englishman conquered the Norman, and the foreign invaders became an integral portion of the people they had overcome. For the historical details of the story, I have only had to go to Freeman's magnificent History of the Norman Conquest of England, which I hope will be perused by all of my readers who are able to obtain it.
G. A. HENTY

CONTENTS.
CHAP.
I. A QUARREL
II. COUNTRY LIFE
III. AT COURT
IV. A STORM
V. ROUEN
VI. RELEASE OF THE EARL
VII. THE OATH
VIII. TROUBLE WITH WALES
IX. IN THE WELSH VALLEYS
X. PORTHWYN
XI. THE SECRET PASSAGE
XII. EDITH
XIII. HAROLD, THE KING
XIV. WULF'S SUSPICIONS
XV. A MEETING BY THE RIVER
XVI. A VOYAGE NORTH
XVII. AN ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION
XVIII. THE NORTHERN INVASION
XIX. STAMFORD BRIDGE
XX. THE LANDING OF THE FOE
XXI. HASTINGS
XXII. THE LORD OF BRAMBER
ILLUSTRATIONS
THE LAST STAND AT HASTINGS
THE YOUNG THANE COMES BACK TO STEYNING
WULF AND HIS FOLLOWERS STORM LLEWELLYN'S STRONGHOLD
WULF LEAPT FORWARD AND CAUGHT THE UPLIFTED WRIST
WULF THE SAXON.

CHAPTER I.
A QUARREL.
The great Abbey of Westminster was approaching its completion; an army of masons and labourers swarmed like bees upon and around it, and although differing widely in its massive architecture, with round Saxon windows and arches, from the edifice that was two or three generations later to be reared in its place,--to serve as a still more fitting tomb for the ashes of its pious founder,--it was a stately abbey, rivalling the most famous of the English fanes of the period.
From his palace hard by King Edward had watched with the deepest interest the erection of the minster that was the dearest object of his life. The King was surrounded by Normans, the people among whom he had lived until called from his