At Northampton, which had formed part of the government of
Tostig, Morcar was joined by his brother Edwin at the head of the forces of
Mercia, together with a large body of Welsh. They found the people of
Northampton less favourable to their cause than they had expected, and in
revenge harried the whole country, killing and burning, and carrying off
the cattle as booty and the men as slaves.
Harold bore the brunt of the trouble alone, for, regardless of the fact
that half the kingdom was in a flame, King Edward and Tostig continued
their hunting expeditions in Wiltshire, in spite of the urgent messages
sent by Harold entreating them to return. In the meantime, still hoping
that peace might in some way be preserved, Harold sent messages to all the
thanes of importance in Wessex, ordering them to prepare to march to London
with the whole of their retainers and levies, as soon as they received
orders to get in motion. But while he still tarried in Wiltshire the king
acceded to Harold's request that he might be empowered to go to Northampton
to treat in Edward's name with the rebels.
As soon as he received this permission Harold hastened to Northampton,
accompanied by only half a dozen of his thanes, among whom was Wulf. He was
received with respect by the rebels, but when their leaders assembled, and
in the king's name he called upon them to lay down their arms, to cease
from ravaging, and to lay any complaints they might have to make against
Tostig before the king or the National Gemot, he met with a flat refusal.
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