Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/406

 398 CHRONICLE OF THE Chapter XXXIX. King Edward's answer to to King Magnus's letter. saga viii. out, as ye have no doubt heard, that I have taken the Danish dominions as my heritage after Hardacanute. But before he departed this life he had England as well as Denmark ; therefore I consider myself now, in consequence of my rights by this agreement, to own England also. Now I will therefore that thou deliver to me the kingdom ; otherwise I will seek to take it by arms, both from Denmark and Norway: and let him rule the land to whom fate gives the victory." Now when King Edward had read this letter, he replied thus : " It is known to all men in this country that King Ethelred, my father, was udal-born to this kingdom, both after the old and new law of inherit- ance. We were four sons after him ; and when he by death left the throne, my brother Edmund took the government and kingdom ; for he was the oldest of us brothers, and I was well satisfied that it was so. And after him my stepfather, Canute the Great, took the kingdom, and so long as he lived there was no access to it. After him my brother Harald was king as long- as he lived; and after him my brother Hardacanute took the kingdoms both of Denmark and England; for he thought that a just brotherly division that he should have both England and Denmark, and that I should have no kingdom at all. Now he died, and then it was the resolution of all the people of the country to take me for king here in England. So long as I had no kingly title I served my superiors, in all respects, like those who had no claims by birth to land or kingdom. Now, however, I have received the kingly title, and am consecrated king. I have established my royal dignity and authority, as my father before me ; and while I live I will not renounce my title. If King Magnus come here with an army, I will gather no army against him ; but he shall only get the opportunity of taking England when he has