ed holy, and that
priests might there sing dirges over her.

There is a curious and picturesque account of the two days' journey to
Skilholt, and the adventures that befell the funeral cortege;
including the incident of the corpse cooking the supper of the convoy
at an inhospitable farmhouse where they had sought refuge and received
no entertainment.

On Harold's return home after the funeral, he proceeded to carry out
the wishes of Thorgunna, who had warned him that the ownership of her
embroidered hangings would cause trouble, and therefore she had
desired they should be burned. Thurida, however, could not bear to
lose them, and persuaded Harold to spare them. "After this followed
many signs and portents, and deaths of men and women, and apparitions
of ghosts, until Kjartan (Thurida's son) brought out all Thorgunna's
bed-hangings and furniture, and burned them in the fire."

APPENDIX X., TO PAGE 365.

Aelfled or Athelfleda was the founder of a race of embroiderers. Their
pedigree is as follows:--

BRITHNOD, === ATHELFLEDA.
a Northumberland | She embroidered the
Chief or Alderman. | daring deeds of her husband.
|
LEOFLEDA. === KING OSWIC.
| Oswic's sister Aedelfleda was
| adopted by Hilda, Abbess of Whitby.
| She succeeded Hilda, and died 713.
| She was a great embroiderer.
___________|___________
| | |
AELFWIN. AELSWITH. LEOFWED.
|
AELSWITH.

Leofwed made her will in the time of King Cnut; dividing her revenue
between her daughter Aelswith and the Abbey of Ely. Aelswith accepted
the residence of Coveney, a small property belonging to the convent,
and there she embroidered with her maidens. See Liber Eliensis, ed. D.
J. Stewart, "Anglia Christiana," vol. i., 1848.

APPENDIX XI., TO PAGE 377.

In the Statutes at Large there is the following in vol. i. p. 526 (in
old French):--

2 Henry VI.

A penalty on deceitful workers of gold and silver embroidery.

Item. pur ceo que diverses defautes sont trovez en loveraigne de
diverses persons occupiantz le mestier de brouderie. Ordonnez est &
assentiez, que tout loveraigne & stuff de brouderie d'or ou d'argent