diff --git a/mode/html.py b/mode/html.py
index 0b95f56..9755c34 100644
--- a/mode/html.py
+++ b/mode/html.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import os
+import os, urllib
 import color, method, mode
 from lex import Grammar, PatternRule, RegionRule
 from mode.xml import TagGrammar
@@ -35,6 +35,28 @@ class HtmlViewPage(method.Method):
         else:
             w.application.run_external(*argv)
 
+class HtmlValidatePage(method.Method):
+    '''View the HTML data in a browser (curses or external)'''
+    args = [method.arg('url', dv=default.build_mode_var('url'), ld=True,
+                       h='')]
+    base = 'http://validator.w3.org/check?'
+    def _execute(self, w, **vargs):
+        w.mode.url = vargs['url']
+        viewcmd = w.application.config.get('html.viewcmd')
+        viewbg  = viewcmd.endswith('&')
+        if viewbg:
+            viewcmd = viewcmd[:-1]
+        urlarg = urllib.urlencode({'uri': w.mode.url})
+        argv = (viewcmd, self.base + urlarg)
+        if viewbg:
+            if os.fork() == 0:
+                try:
+                    os.execvp(viewcmd, argv)
+                except OSError:
+                    os._exit(1)
+        else:
+            w.application.run_external(*argv)
+
 class HtmlCheckSpelling(method.Method):
     """Check the spelling of the document via ispell -t"""
     def _execute(self, w, **vargs):
@@ -79,5 +101,6 @@ class HTML(mode.Fundamental):
         self.add_bindings('xml-create-tag', ('M-t',))
         self.add_action(HtmlViewPage())
         self.add_action(HtmlCheckSpelling())
+        self.url = None
 
 install = HTML.install