The Heimskringla on Earl Toste
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 80. Harald Godwinson Made King Of England.
- attestation: Earl Toste resented his brother's coronation, believing himself equally entitled to be king, and demanded the principal men choose the most fitting candidate.
"his brother, Earl Toste, heard of this he took it very ill, as he thought himself quite as well entitled to be king. "I want," said he, "that the principal men of the country choose him whom they think best fitted for it.""
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 81. Earl Toste'S Expedition To Denmark.
attestation: Toste refused to serve under his brother and went into exile, traveling to Flanders, Friesland, and then Denmark to his kinsman King Svein.
"Earl Toste, again, would not submit to be his own brother's serving man; therefore he went with his people over the sea to Flanders, and stayed there awhile, then went to Friesland, and from thence to Denmark to his relation King Svein."
attestation: Toste departed angrily, telling Svein he would seek help elsewhere from a chief less afraid of great enterprises.
"It may be that I will seek friendly help where it could less be expected; and that I may find a chief who is less afraid, king, than thou art of a great enterprise."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 82. Earl Toste'S Expedition To Norway.
attestation: Earl Toste traveled from Denmark to Norway and presented himself to King Harald Sigurdson in Viken, asking for military aid to recover his English domains.
"Earl Toste turned away then and went to Norway, where he presented himself to King Harald, who was at that time in Viken."
attestation: Toste argued that King Magnus had claimed right to England through an agreement with Hardacanute, challenging Harald to match his predecessor's ambition.
"Is it true what I have heard people tell in England, that thy relative, King Magnus, sent men to King Edward with the message that King Magnus had right to England as well as to Denmark"
attestation: Toste pointed out that Magnus conquered Denmark only because all the country's chiefs helped him, whereas Harald failed because all were against him.
"Magnus subdued Denmark, because all the chiefs of the country helped him; and thou hast not done it, because all the people of the country were against thee."
attestation: Toste promised that most English principal men would support Harald's claim, and taunted him for fighting fifteen years for Denmark while England lay open.
"Wilt thou take England now? I will bring the matter so far that most of the principal men in England shall be thy friends, and assist thee"
attestation: Toste called Harald the greatest warrior in the northern lands, and his flattery combined with strategic argument convinced the king.
"All men allow that there never was such a warrior in the northern lands as thou art; and it appears to me extraordinary that thou hast been fighting for fifteen years for Denmark, and wilt not take England that lies open to thee."
attestation: Earl Toste sailed west to Flanders in spring to gather his English and Flemish followers.
"Earl Toste sailed in spring west to Flanders, to meet the people who had left England with him, and others besides who had gathered to him both out of England and Flanders."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 89. Of Earl Toste.
- attestation: Earl Toste joined King Harald upon his arrival in England and participated in all the early battles, bringing friends and relations who swelled the Norwegian forces.
"Earl Toste had come from Flanders to King Harald as soon as he arrived in England, and the earl was present at all these battles."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 91. Of Earl Toste'S Counsel.
- attestation: Toste advised retreating to the ships to get reinforcements and weapons, but Harald rejected this, instead sending three riders to summon the ship-guard.
"The first counsel is to turn about as fast as we can to our ships to get our men and our weapons"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 94. Of The Troop Of The Nobility.
attestation: Toste refused the offer, declaring the Northmen would never say he abandoned King Harald Sigurdson to join his enemies, and they would all die with honor or win England.
"go now and tell King Harald to get ready for battle; for never shall the Northmen say with truth that Earl Toste left King Harald Sigurdson to join his enemy's troops"
attestation: Toste justified not revealing his brother's identity during the parley: he would rather be murdered by Harald Godwinson than be his murderer.
"I would rather he should be my murderer than I his, if one of two be to die."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 96. Fall Of King Harald.
- attestation: After Harald's death, Earl Toste took charge of the king's banner and both sides reformed their lines, pausing the fighting.
"Earl Toste had taken charge of the king's banner. They began on both sides to form their array again, and for a long time there was a pause in fighting."