midday
No such playmate had the Lincoln children before Havelok came . Three weeks after we came the Witan -LSB- 8 -RSB- began to gather , and that was a fine sight as the great nobles of Lindsey , and of the North folk of East Anglia , came day by day into the town with their followings , taking up their quarters either in the better houses of the place or else pitching bright-coloured tents and pavilions on the hillside meadows beyond the stockades . Many brought their ladies with them , and all day long was feasting and mirth at one place or another , as friend met with friend . Never had I seen such a gay sight as the marketplace was at midday , when the young thanes and their men met there and matched their followers at all sorts of sports . The English nobles are far more fond of gay dress and jewels than our Danish folk , though I must say that when the few Danes of Ethelwald 's household came it would seem that they had taken kindly to the fashion of their home . Our housecarls grumbled a bit for a while , for with all the newcomers dressed span new for the gathering , we had had nothing fresh for it from the king , as was the custom , and I for one was ashamed of myself , for under my mail was naught but the fisher 's coat , which is good enough for hard wear , but not for show . But one day we were fitted out fresh by the king 's bounty in blue and scarlet jerkins and hose , and we swaggered after that with the best , as one may suppose .