King Magnus ruled then both over Denmark and Norway; and when he had got
possession of the Danish dominions he sent ambassadors over to England
to King Edward, who brought to him King Magnus's letter and seal. And in
this letter there stood, along with a salutation from King Magnus,
these words:--"Ye must have heard of the agreement which I and Hardaknut
made,--that he of us two who survived the other should have all the land
and people which the deceased had possessed. Now it has so turned out,
as ye have no doubt heard, that I have taken the Danish dominions as
my heritage after Hardaknut. But before he departed this life he
had England as well as Denmark; therefore I consider myself now, in
consequence of my rights by this agreement, to own England also. Now
I will therefore that thou deliver to me the kingdom; otherwise I will
seek to take it by arms, both from Denmark and Norway; and let him rule
the land to whom fate gives the victory."