The Evening and the Morning

Ragna is nervous as she approaches Shiring. There are no stone buildings, and she remembers that the English have a reputation for weakness in their fortifications. She tells her guards to loosen their circle around her, thereby making the people more welcoming. She smiles and blows kisses to the peasants and finally reaches Wilf. They embrace and kiss as people cheer.

Ragna meets Wilf’s brother, Wigelm, who makes her uneasy. She also meets Gytha, Wilf’s stepmother. Gytha shows Ragna around the compound, where Wilf is building an army. After the wedding, he will deal with Southern Welsh raiders.

Ragna learns that she will have a separate house from Wilf. She hopes that she and Gytha will not be rivals. Then she enters Wigelm’s house, against Gytha’s wishes. He is inside with friends. He squeezes her breasts and comments on their size. Gytha smirks and takes Ragna to her new home; it is undecorated and smaller than the other two houses nearby. There are no blankets or pegs to hang clothes on. With so little space, Ragna’s helpers will have to lodge elsewhere.

Ragna dismisses Gytha just as Wynstan enters to collect her dowry. She says she will give it to Wilf after they are married, and he leaves in obvious frustration.