"
The Welsh campaign had terminated at the end of August, and it was a month
later that Wulf had returned to Steyning. Just a year afterwards he
received a message from Harold to come up to London, and to order his
housecarls to hold themselves in readiness to start immediately on
receiving an order from him. Somewhat surprised, for no news had reached
him of any trouble that could call for the employment of an armed force,
Wulf rode for London alone, bidding Osgod follow with the housecarls as
soon as he heard from him. When he reached the palace he heard news that
explained the cause of his summons. Northumbria had risen in rebellion
against Earl Tostig. He was accused of tyranny and oppression, and had
been continually away from his earldom, leaving it to be governed in his
absence by a thane.
The country north of the Humber had for a long period of years been
independent, appointing their own rulers, who owed no allegiance whatever
to the kings of the West Saxons. Although now incorporated in the kingdom
of England the Northumbrians regretted their lost independence, and this
all the more, that the population were for the most part Danish, and viewed
with an intense feeling of jealousy the preponderance gained by the West
Saxons. Tostig at the time the revolt declared itself was hunting with the
king--who had a great affection for him--in the forests of Wiltshire, and
had not arrived in town when Wulf reached the capital.
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