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"I thought that Bishop Eahlstan stood by me as in the old days, and minded me of words that I spoke long ago, words that were taught me by a wise woman, who showed me how to trap the Danes, when the tide left their ships aground, so that they had no retreat.
Most of all I liked Ethered, the young ealdorman of Mercia, and Ethelnoth, the Somerset ealdorman, and Heregar, the king's standard bearer, an older warrior, who had seen every battle south of Thames since the long ago day when Eahlstan the bishop taught his flock how to fight for their land against the heathen.
We saw them land on the opposite shore, where the road comes down to the Combwich crossing, that can only be used at lowest tides; and they marched eastward, doubtless in search of cattle and plunder. Then Heregar's eyes shone, and he said: "Now has our time come, even as Eahlstan foretold to me.
Then suddenly Heregar rose up on his elbow from beside the standard, crying strangely: "Ay, Father Eahlstan when the tide is low. Somerset and Dorset side by side. What say you, father Somerset and Devon? Even so." The other sleepers stirred, and the lady turned and looked on the thane, but he slept even yet. "Worn out is the brave thane," said I. "Strange dreams come to one when that is so."
The bishop had mail under his robes, having been eager to join in the fight, as would Eahlstan, his great forerunner, have certainly joined; but Alfred would not suffer him to do so. Once more Guthrum tried to rally his men, when the flight bore him to his camp at the hill foot, on the way across the fens to the town.
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