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KING ATHELWOLD of England dies, leaving
his baby daughter, Goldborough. The appointed
King, Godrich, Earl of Cornwall, takes care of
Goldborough, and promises to fulfil the dead
King's wish - to marry Goldborough to the
strongest man in England when she is of age.
Meanwhile, King Birkabeyn of Denmark dies,
and Earl Godard is given the job of caring for the
baby Havelock and his two sisters. But Godard,
wishing to rule, kills the King's daughters and
instructs a local warrior and fisherman, Grim, to
drown Havelock at sea. Grim tries to follow the
Earl's instructions, but he cannot face killing the
baby; he takes him from the water and goes home.
Grim and his wife decide to bring the baby up as
one of their own.
That night they see a ray of light shining out of
the baby's mouth as he sleeps, and they discover
a royal birthmark on his shoulder. Realising the
baby's royal heritage and the danger they may
be in, Grim and his family pack their belongings
and set sail for England. When they land on
British soil they found the town of Grimsby.
Havelock grows up and goes to work in Lincoln.
While there, he wins a shot-put competition.
(The stone he threw still lies within the walls of
Lincoln Castle). Havelock gains the reputation
of being the strongest man in England.
Godrich, Earl of Cornwall hears of Havelock,
and introduces Goldborough to him to keep the
dead King's wish. Goldborough and Havelock
marry in Lincoln and return home to Grimsby.
That night, Goldborough dreams about Havelock
becoming King and sees the light shining from his
mouth in slumber. The next day Grim confirms
Havelock's birthright and Havelock returns to
Denmark to claim his throne. Havelock returns
in victory, and he and Goldborough become
King and Queen of Denmark and England. They
have fifteen children and reign happily together
for 60 years.
A copy of the 13th-century text of 'The Lay of
Havelock the Dane', a 3001-line rhyming poem
telling the legend, can be found in Grimsby
public library.