112. _Simon Dun._]
than his brother Edward, made this attempt, either for himselfe,
or in the behalfe of his brother Edward, being as then absent, and
gone into Hungarie, as some write: but other say, that as well Edward
as Alfred came ouer at this time with a number of Norman knights, and
men of warre imbarked in a few ships, onelie to speake with their
mother, who as then lay at Winchester, whether to take aduise with hir
how to recouer their right heere in this land, or to aduance their
brother Hardicnute, or for some other purpose, our authors doo not
declare.
But the lords of the realme that bare their good wils vnto Harold,
and (though contrarie to right) ment to mainteine him in the estate,
seemed to be much offended with the comming of these two brethren
in such order: for earle Goodwine persuaded them, that it was great
danger to suffer so manie strangers to enter the realme, as they had
brought with them. Wherevpon earle Goodwine with the assent of the
other lords, or rather by commandement of Harold, went foorth, and at
Gilford met with Alfred that was comming towards king Harold to speake
with him, accordinglie as he was of Harold required to doo. But now
being taken, and his companie miserablie murthered (as before ye haue
heard) to the number of six hundred Normans, Alfred himselfe was sent
into the Ile of Elie, there to remaine in the abbeie in custodie of
the moonks, hauing his eies put out as soone as he entered first into
the same Ile.
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