Note 782 — Chapter XII · HEATHENDOM. (continued 2)

William of Malmesbury (G. R. ii. 116) adds another peculiarity to the legend, which however he gives to Sceaf, Scyld’s father; he says, “Iste, ut ferunt, in quandam insulam Germaniae Scandzam, de qua Jordanes historiographus Gothorum loquitur, appulsus, navi sine remige, puerulus, posito ad caput frumenti manipulo, dormiens, ideoque Sceaf nuncupatus, ab hominibus regionis illius pro miraculo exceptus, et sedulo nutritus, adulta aetate regnavit in oppido quod tunc Slasvic, nunc vero Haithebi appellatur. Est autem regio illa Anglia Vetus dicta, unde Angli venerunt in Britanniam, inter Saxones et Gothos constituta.” Wendover (Flor. Hist.) copies Malmesbury, with the explanation of the name Sceafa, from Sceaf a sheaf of corn; others derived it from scúfan, trudere, “quia fortunae commissus.” Die Stammtafel der Westsachsen, p. 33.