January 29, 1067
Setting up the household takes much of my time. The abbey has arranged several peasants for us, who will do the cooking and cleaning. Although Hunwald has grown into a close friend these past months, he still acts as my bodyguard and caretaker. I wonder if he wants to make a living on this island. Now that I think about it, I don’t even know much about his time before the flight.
February 5, 1067
I travelled to Purt Chairn, the other large village in Harold’s lands together with Sir Fitheal’s youngest son Mayl and a small entourage. The inhabitants, mostly Norse and Manx, were quite happy to see Mayl, it seems. Unlike his old, soft, unwitty father, Mayl seems like a truly heroic, even chivalric type. In Purt Chairn I placed an order of thirty bearded axes that we will need to equip the huskarls. The small town had no less than three blacksmiths, and a fairly large iron mine, and thus lives up to his name – Iron Port.
February 6, 1067
I make arrangements with Mayl to conscript a total of fifty huskarls for the men here on the island, in order to keep peace in our lands. Sir Fitheal doesn’t have official jurisdiction over Rosien and Langness. I think Hunwald will make a very good captain of the guard.
February 8, 1067
Mayl and I left Purt Chairn north along the coast, into the land of the Tynwald, the Norse ruling council. The Tynwald is supposed to be a ‘thing’, or an assembly of all able men, who govern is island together. Mob rule, as we called it in England, but it seems to be working very well in these remote Norse lands. The Tynwald is officially a subject to King Murdaich, but as in Veisafjord, the Norse live here autonomously. Mayl arranged a meeting with a chieftain called Rory.
February 10, 1067
Instead of staying at the inn in Purt ny hInshey, waiting for the audience, I decided to take a walk along the coast. It’s still very cold and windy, so I went packed in fur. My father used to say that it’s easier to think with your head in the cold than with your head near the hearth.
February 11, 1067
Today, Mayl and I met with three of the leading Norse chieftains on the isle, in the wooden fortress overlooking Purt ny hInshey. They were redundant to accept an infant as lord of Langness and Rosien. After the talk with these grumpy Norse, we left unfulfilled. Without the support of the Tynwald, who effectively controlled most of the island, there was little either Mayl or his father could do.
February 16, 1067
Back in Saint Mary, I found that the weapons and men had found their way to the homestead. Hunwald had claimed a large barn just outside the village, and now a dozen men were changing it into a garrison.
February 18, 1067
It has been a hundred days since we left Lunden. It seems like a lifetime. We drink to the future.
February 22, 1067
A message came from Dubh Linn, a letter from Caelin in Veisafjord. He wrote that ‘men from Mercia’ came and took Ulf away. He thinks it might have been Queen Aeldgyth, who wanted her child near her again. Could Mercia be safe? In any case, he and Hjalmar had been wounded in the fight, and he also worries for Ulf’s health. The boy was still somewhat ill. Furthermore, he writes that after the attack, King Dairmait’s army has camped outside the town, and might use the opportunity to seize it. He fears war, and wishes to come to Mann with Helena, and possibly the rest of Hjalmar’s household as well.
February 24, 1067
A ship arrived in Castletown, bearing two women and half a dozen huskarls, who I recognised as Queen Aeldgyth’s handmaiden. They claim to have been send by Aeldgyth to bring Harold to his mother in Mercia. I denied them access to the village, and ordered Hunwald and his men to keep on the lookout. This is exactly what I had feared after Caelin’s letter.
February 25, 1067
I meet with the handmaiden Elfwynn and Eadhild at the inn in Castletown, and tell them that I will not allow them to take Harold away from here. He is safe here, I told them, and he will have wealth and power of his own when he grows up. The women mocked this barren island as I thought they would, but eventually gave in. The fact that my men outnumber their bodyguards four to one might have helped.
February 28, 1067
When I learned the Mercian ship didn’t leave yet, I again hasted back to Castletown, this time backed with Hunwald’s guard and my young friend Mayl. The two women came forth and told us their task was to look over Harold, and they would not leave unless forced. I offered them into the household, and the huskarls into the guard. This would be beneficial for both sides, although we might have to extend the homestead if we are to accommodate these women.
March 1, 1067
Hunwald seems to be pleased to have more Saxon huskarls around. Most of them were part of Queen Aeldgyth’s entourage when we left Lunden. Most of them are Norse by birth.
March 3, 1067
I wrote a letter to Queen Aeldgyth, telling me of my choice to stay on the island, and inquiring her about the matters in England. The handmaiden told me that the queen lives in one of her brother’s burh’s now, in the town of Legacaestir.
March 9, 1067
Sir Fitheal presented us with wood and stone we need to extend and renovate the homestead and the garrison. Saint Mary looks quite a construction site these days, with three dozen huskarls and a sixty peasants working in the area. The weather is quite pleasant, in fact. Good weather to build. Eadhild hired a few peasant girls to take care of the livestock.