wife, a more malignant character, who caused shipwrecks, and drew to
herself, by a net, all that fell into the sea. The offspring of this
marriage were nine daughters, who became the Billows, the Currents, and
the Storms.

[137] Frilla, the Danish word for a lady who, often with the wife's
consent, was added to the domestic circle by the husband. The word is
here used by Hilda in a general sense of reproach. Both marriage and
concubinage were common amongst the Anglo-Saxon priesthood, despite the
unheeded canons; and so, indeed, they were with the French clergy.

[138] Hilda, not only as a heathen, but as a Dane, would be no favourer
of monks; they were unknown in Denmark at that time, and the Danes held
them in odium.--Ord Vital., lib. vii.

[139] Chron. Knyghton.

[140] Weyd-month. Meadow month, June.

[141] Cumen-hus. Tavern.

[142] Fitzstephen.

[143] William of Malmesbury speaks with just indignation of the
Anglo-Saxon custom of selling female servants, either to public
prostitution, or foreign slavery.

[144] It will be remembered that Algar governed Wessex, which
principality included Kent, during the year of Godwin's outlawry.

[145] Trulofa, from which comes our popular corruption "true lover's
knot;" a vetere Danico trulofa, i.e., fidem do, to pledge faith.--HICKE's
Thesaur.

"A knot, among the ancient northern nations, seems to have been the
emblem of love, faith, and friendship."--BRANDE's Pop. Antiq.

[146] The Saxon Chronicle contradicts itself as to Algar's outlawry,
stating in one passage that he was outlawed without any kind of guilt,
and in another that he was outlawed as swike, or traitor, and that he
made a confession of it before all the men there gathered. His treason,
however, seems naturally occasioned by his close connection with
Gryffyth, and proved by his share in that King's rebellion. Some of our
historians have unfairly assumed that his outlawry was at Harold's
instigation. Of this there is not only no proof, but one of the best
authorities among the chroniclers says just the contrary--that Harold did
all he could to intercede for him; and it is certain that he was fairly
tried and condemned by the Witan, and afterwards restored by the
concurrent articles of agreement between Harold and Leofric. Harold's
policy with his own countrymen stands out very markedly prominent in the
annals of the time; it was invariably that of conciliation.

[147] Saxon Chron