Note 301 — Chapter III · THE KING’S COURT AND HOUSEHOLD.
Reading edition
Florence of Worcester, speaking of the revolt of the Northumbrians against their duke Tostig, in 1065, says: “Eodem die primitus illius Danicos húscarlas Amundum et Ravensueartum, de fuga retractos, extra civitatis muros, ac die sequente plus quam cc. viros ex curialibus illius in boreali parte Humbrae fluminis peremerunt.” an. 1065. One manuscript of the Saxon Chronicle thus relates these events: “And sona æfter ðison gegaderedon ða þegenas hi ealle on Eoforwícscyre ⁊ on Norðhymbralande togædere, ⁊ geútlagedan heora eorl Tosti, ⁊ ofslógon his hírédmenn ealle ðe hig mihten tócumen.” But another says: “Tostiges eorles húskarlas ðar ofslógon, ealle ða ðe hig geáxian mihton.” Hírédmen are familiares, those who live in the house, or form part of the house or family; and this seems the original and strict definition of the húscarl.