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Updated: June 24, 2025


And in that trial I myself took little part by word or motion, standing there and listening as though the words spoken of me concerned another, as indeed, they might well have done. But first Eanulf spoke to me, bending his brows as he did so, and frowning on me. "Heregar, son of Herewulf the Thane, you are accused by honourable men of speaking evil of our Lord the King, Ethelwulf.

"Truly, I know not, Lord Eanulf," I answered, "for no man may say these things of me, save he lies." "Have you enemies?" he asked. "None known to me," I told him truthfully, for I had, as my father, lived at peace with all. "Then is the testimony of those against you the heavier," said the ealdorman.

But up and down among them went Eanulf the Ealdorman, watching ever. Then fled I, as it were, to that hill where lay the Danes, and on the road thither I saw Osric and twenty men, looking up at the fires that burnt where the enemy lay. And then I looked on those fires, and there were no men round them. One shook me by the shoulder, and my dream went.

And then he told us in burning words such a tale of what must be were these heathen to have their way, such things that he himself had seen and known after Charnmouth fight, that we would fain at last be up and drive them away without waiting for the levy. And at last he said: "Eanulf, this will I do.

Then Eanulf spake, very plainly: "I am for raising the levy of Somerset again, and stronger, and driving them out; but I cannot do it without your help."

Now after that there was talk of nothing but of making the levy as soon as might be, and Eanulf, thanking everyone, and most of all the bishop, straightway gave his orders; and before that night the war arrow was speeding through all Somerset and Dorset likewise, and word was sent to Osric and the other sheriffs that the gathering place named was at the hill of Brent.

Then Eanulf signed to my guards, and they led me away and over the brow of the hill, that the Moot might speak its mind on me. There my guards bade me sit down, and I did so, resting head on hands, and thinking of nought, as it seemed to me, until suddenly rose up hate of Matelgar, and of Eanulf, and of all that great assembly, and of all the world.

Maybe this is not so wonderful, for the doom was the doom of the Moot, and spoken by Eanulf as its mouthpiece, and that passed on my body only. And Matelgar had found a new place in my thoughts, but Wulfhere was my friend, and the bishop had spoken to my heart, so that his words and looks abode there. Then the servant cut short my thoughts, and led us to the bishop, bidding me unhelm first.

But come with me to the hall and I will right you with the thanes there." At that I thanked him, knowing that things were going right with me, and the bishop smiled, as well pleased, but said nothing, as Eanulf took me by the arm, and we went together to the great hall, where the thanes, some twenty of them, were talking together.

Then said the bishop that after a while he would take the force to the woods that overhung the roadway, and so wait for the Danes as Eanulf and Osric drove them back; but that it was not more than midnight yet. Then came a little silence, and in that I seemed to hear the sound of footsteps coming up the hill from Combwich, and bade the others listen.

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