eatly
and eyed him ever as his own son, for the King was childless.

|| It befell one summer that Harald the son of Godwin had to go a journey
to Bretland (Wales) and fared he on a ship, but after they had set sail
sprang up a contrary wind & they were driven out to sea.[Sec.]

They made land westward in Normandy after undergoing a perilous storm.

And putting into the town of Rouen found they there Earl William, who
received Harald and his travelling companions joyfully, and Harald
tarried there in good cheer for long during the autumn, for the tempests
continued to blow and it was not weather for sailing out at sea. As
winter was approaching spoke the Earl and Harald together concerning the
dwelling of Harald there throughout the winter. Now Harald sat in the
high-seat on one side of the Earl and on the other side of him sat the
Earl's wife, and fairer was she than any other woman whom men had seen.

Harald and she would hold converse together all the time that the cups
were going round, and when the Earl retired to rest, as he did betimes,
Harald would sit long talking with the wife to the Earl, and so fared
things for a long time during the winter.

Once when they were talking together said she: 'Now hath the Earl spoken
with me hereon, and asked what it is we twain ever talk about, and now
is he wroth.' Harald answered: 'We will forthwith let him know all our
conversations.'

The day thereafter Harald called the Earl to speak with him, & went they
to the council-chamber where were also the Earl's wife and their
councillors.

Then Harald spoke the first and said: 'This must I inform thee, Earl,
that there is more in my coming hither than I have revealed to thee:
I desire to ask the hand of thy daughter, and have oft-times spoken of
this my wish to her mother, and she hath given me her word to support me
in this matter with thee.'

When Harald had made known his desire, all those who were present
received the news with gladness and supported it with the Earl, and this
matter was brought to end by the maid being betrothed to Harald; but
since she was young some winters' delay were agreed upon before the time
of bridal.

|| When spring came, equipped Harald his ship and sailed away, and he and
the Earl parted in full friendship.

And Harald fared to England, to King Edward, and returned no more to
Valland to claim the marriage. King Edward ruled over England for
twenty-four winters, & died a straw death