For some reason or other the life of one was spared.

Alfred himself was charged with having violated the peace of his country, and was condemned to lose his eyes.

The torture of this operation, and the inflammation which followed, destroyed the unhappy prince's life.
Neither Emma nor Godwin did any thing to save him.

It was wise policy, no doubt, in Emma to disavow all connection with her son's unfortunate attempt, now that it had failed; and ambitious queens have to follow the dictates of policy instead of obeying such impulses as maternal love.

She was, however, secretly indignant at the cruel fate which her son had endured, and she considered Godwin as having betrayed him.
After this dreadful disappointment, Emma was not likely to make any farther attempts to place either of her sons upon the throne; but Harold seems to have distrusted her, for he banished her from the realm.