What they might they did, and my heart turned to them in gratitude for a little, though Matelgar's treachery had seemed to make it a stone within me.
They ended, and the silence came again.

It seemed long, and weighed on me like a thunderstorm in the air, nor should I have started had the whole assembly broken into one thunderclap of hatred of me.

But instead of that, came the calm voice of Ealhstan the Bishop: "Eanulf and freemen of Somerset, there is one who witnesses for this Heregar more plainly than all these.

That witness is himself, in his youth and inexperience.

What are the wild words a boy will say?
Who will plot against a mighty king with a boy for partner?
What weight have his words?
What help can come from his following?
It seems to me that Matelgar the Thane and these friends of his might well have laughed away all these foolishnesses, rather than hoard them up to bring before this solemn council.