The brothers march
January - June 867
So on the day following the great sacrifice Ivar did depart Jorvik for Northumberland, accompanied by brothers Bjorn and Sigurd. Halfdan Ragnarsson, with bastard son Ragnar and half-brother Ubbe did join them, as both armies need take an identical route north.
Finding no opposition, Ivar did continue, bidding Halfdan and Ubbe a curt farewell, whereas Halfdan did deploy his armies before the fortified town of Durham and entreat Earl Eardulf to surrender and accept overlordship. The overture was responded to with derision, and Halfdan did swear mighty oaths and order his men to lay siege.
It was mid-February when Halfdan received word Ivar had won a great battle in Northumberland over Earl Oswaine of Lancaster, investing Bamburgh immediately after. It was said Ivar sacrificed scores of prisoners to the Deep Ones in gratitude, so much so the beach was stained red and remained so for years after.
By April a messenger informed Halfdan an army from Wessex had invaded Jorvik and laid siege to his capital. Dividing his armies, he entrusted his son Ragnar with the task of relieving the siege and driving the invader from their lands.
As it was, with Spring near giving way to Summer, Halfdan enjoyed good news...
From 'Being the Secret History of Geoffrey Monmouth'
Halfdan stood defiant...
June 9, 867 - Gates of Durham
Halfdan stood defiant under a morning sun clad in a chainmail shirt over white tunic, iron helmet cradled in the crook of one arm, free hand toying with the haft of a battle-worn axe.
To his left was Ubbe, idly kicking at a tuft of grass as he warily eyed the Saxon defenders standing still on their battlements. Behind the brothers the armies waited, grim men clutching painted shields and brandishing axes, swords and spears.
Suddenly, and to their amusement, a distant raven took flight, chasing down a smaller red-backed shrike. As the aerial pursuit drew increased attention, the men began urging the raven on. And when the predator finally caught its prey, the men let out a cheer, pleased with what they believed was a fine omen.
Ubbe glanced over his shoulder at the men and nodded approval. Looking askance at Halfdan he said, "A good sign from Father Odin, brother, for we are the raven and those Saxon dogs the prey. And not a Fishman-lover in sight to gainsay us."
Halfdan merely grunted, noting the gates of Durham's wooden fortifications creaking open. Four men tentatively stepped out and slowly approached.
"Should we go meet them?" Ubbe asked.
Halfdan shook his head. "They come to us." He motioned toward the battlements. "We will remain beyond bowshot."
Minutes later the small entourage stood before the brothers. They were haggard and withdrawn, their clothes threadbare and bodies thin from starvation.
These are Thanes, Halfdan thought.
They will have had the best of the food. What will the inhabitants look like?. "Well?" he demanded.
One stepped forward, his face a mask of resigned fear. In halting Norse he said, "We have suffered long enough, and no one has come to aid us. The town is yours. We offer ourselves as hostages. Please, bring no harm to the people. They have suffered enough."
The siege of Durham ends
Ubbe said, "And where is your Earl? Do you speak for him? Does he hide under a table?"
"He is gone, my Lord. He deserted us last night."
Halfdan's face flushed red, near to matching his fiery beard. "Gone, you say?" Turning, he shouted, "Einar! Hrolf!"
Two men, one short and thin, the other tall and stout, separated from the Viking formation and jogged over. They waited silently.
"Eardulf has fled Durham like some craven dog. Einar, take your cavalry and scour the countryside. Bring him back, alive."
The short man nodded sharply and ran off, shouting orders.
"Hrolf, take men and secure those gates before someone in town changes their mind. Then gather and disarm the garrison."
Moments later some fifty Vikings trotted past, following the dirt road toward the town entrance.
Ubbe eyed the four nervously waiting Saxons with disdain and said, "What about these?"
Halfdan shrugged. "Durham has a new liege now. We don't need hostages. As they did nothing to prevent Eardulf's escape, let them return to the earth."
Ubbe drew his dirk as several men rushed up to restrain the Thanes, ignoring their pleas as they were pushed whimpering to their knees, heads drawn back, exposing throats.
Halfdan waved his men forward, and led them into town.
To the victors the spoils
Amidst the screaming women and anguished cries of husbands and fathers, Halfdan felt little pity for the conquered. Though the town was his--and he had every intention of holding it--he understood the need of his men to vent their lust and exaltation. After all, Durham had denied them for six months, and they were owed
some reward for patience. It could have been worse, he reasoned. He could have been Ivar.
Sitting on an empty wagon under an evening sky, a horn of honey mead in one calloused hand, he watched a line of carts driven by thralls, pulled by oxen and laden with food pass through the gate. Halfdan decided he would give his men to morning before restoring discipline, and then distribute the food to the townsfolk. It would go some way to mollifying this night of terror. Victuals to a starving person was a welcome bargaining chip, a means of encouraging good will, and a way of shortening memories.
In two days time he would march on a town north of Durham, where there was said to be a shrine dedicated to St. Cuthbert. Halfdan understood it was important he take these holy places. For two reasons. The promise of spoils and the demoralising effect it had on Christians.
A rider trotted through the open gate, maneuvering his horse around a cart. It was Einar. Halfdan stood and raised an arm. The thin Viking saw him and nudged his mount over. Halfdan could tell the news was not good.
"He eluded you?"
Einar nodded. "My apologies, my Lord. We searched for several miles. He could have attempted the river instead of striking across land."
Halfdan sat heavily and growled into his beard. He motioned with his arm, honey mead sloshing over the rim of the horn. "Bring your men to town. Enjoy the night. We will talk in the morning."
Einar dipped his head. "Thank you, my Lord. One other thing. We met scouts from Ragnar's army. He defeated the enemy at Skardaborg and chased them to the border. Now he is coming, and should arrive by tomorrow noon."
Halfdan grunted his thanks, and Einar departed. In all it was a good day. Though Eardulf had escaped, his conquest of the county was well underway, and his son had proven himself in combat. Yes, it was a good day. He would arrange a sacrifice to Odin...