Summary

Chapter 41 is dated September 1006. Ragna holds court. There are few problems because the crops are in and people are happy. Ragna is dismayed that people are throwing trash in the canal. She dismisses Dudda as headman and appoints Eanfrid, the alehouse keeper. Stone sales have fallen off since Edgar left, and Eanfrid says it is because Edgar was good at marketing. Ragna's conversation with Eanfrid is interrupted by Wigelm's arrival. Wigelm says Ragna's father complained to Ethelred about the divorce. Ethelred has fined Wigelm for doing so without his permission, but Wigelm has not paid. Wigelm and his men drink large amounts of ale all evening. Ragna arranges sleeping arrangements. She has a maid and a bodyguard with her, but the two slip out of her house during the night. Ragna wakes to Wigelm's drunken voice. She realizes her maid and bodyguard have...