Toste was made chief of the English king's army, and was his land-defence man when the king began to grow old; and he was also placed above all the other earls.His brother Harald was always with the court itself, and nearest to the king in all service, and had the charge of the king's treasure-chamber.It is said that when the king was approaching his last hour, Harald and a few others were with him.Harald first leans down over the king, and then said, "I take you all to witness that the king has now given me the kingdom, and all the realm of England:" and then the king was taken dead out of the bed.The same day there was a meeting of the chiefs, at which there was some talk of choosing a king; and then Harald brought forward his witnesses that King Edward had given him the kingdom on his dying day.The meeting ended by choosing Harald as king, and he was consecrated and crowned the 13th day of Yule, in Paul's church.Then all the chiefs and all the people submitted to him.Now when his brother, Earl Toste, heard of this he took it very ill, as he thought himself quite as well entitled to be king."I want,"said he, "that the principal men of the country choose him whom they think best fitted for it." And sharp words passed between the brothers.King Harald says he will not give up his kingly dignity, for he is seated on the throne which kings sat upon, and is anointed and consecrated a king.On his side also was the strength of the people, for he had the king's whole treasure.
81.EARL TOSTE'S EXPEDITION TO DENMARK.
Now when King Harald perceived that his brother Toste wanted to have him deprived of the kingdom he did not trust him; for Toste was a clever man, and a great warrior, and was in friendship with the principal men of the country.He therefore took the command of the army from Toste, and also all the power he had beyond that of the other earls of the country.Earl Toste, again, would not submit to be his own brother's serving man; therefore he went with his people over the sea to Flanders, and stayed there awhile, then went to Friesland, and from thence to Denmark to his relation King Svein.Earl Ulf, King Svein's father, and Gyda, Earl Toste's mother, were brother's and sister's children.The earl now asked King Svein for support and help of men; and King Svein invited him to stay with him, with the promise that he should get so large an earldom in Denmark that he would be an important chief.
The earl replies, "My inclination is to go back to my estate in England; but if I cannot get help from you for that purpose, Iwill agree to help you with all the power I can command in England, if you will go there with the Danish army, and win the country, as Canute, your mother's brother, did."The king replied, "So much smaller a man am I than Canute the Great, that I can with difficulty defend my own Danish dominions against the Northmen.King Canute, on the other hand, got the Danish kingdom in heritage, took England by slash and blow, and sometimes was near losing his life in the contest; and Norway he took without slash or blow.Now it suits me much better to be guided by my own slender ability than to imitate my relation, King Canute's, lucky hits."Then Earl Toste said, "The result of my errand here is less fortunate than I expected of thee who art so gallant a man, seeing that thy relative is in so great need.It may be that Iwill seek friendly help where it could less be expected; and that I may find a chief who is less afraid, king, than thou art of a great enterprise."Then the king and the earl parted, not just the best friends.
82.EARL TOSTE'S EXPEDITION TO NORWAY.
Earl Toste turned away then and went to Norway, where he presented himself to King Harald, who was at that time in Viken.
When they met the earl explained his errand to the king.He told him all his proceedings since he left England, and asked his aid to recover his dominions in England.
The king replied that the Northmen had no great desire for a campaign in England, and to have English chiefs over them there.
"People say," added he, "that the English are not to be trusted."The earl replied, "Is it true what I have heard people tell in England, that thy relative, King Magnus, sent men to King Edward with the message that King Magnus had right to England as well as to Denmark, and had got that heritage after Hardacanute, in consequence of a regular agreement?"The king replied, "How came it that he did not get it, if he had a right to it?""Why," replied the earl, "hast thou not Denmark, as King Magnus, thy predecessor, had it?"The king replies, "The Danes have nothing to brag of over us Northmen; for many a place have we laid in ashes to thy relations."Then said the earl, "If thou wilt not tell me, I will tell thee.