But the timbers were high, and the ditch outside them full of water, and as it happened there was no attack thence.
Erpwald watched the back indeed, but all his force was bent on the gate.
It was not long before that fell, crashing inwards, and across it strode the heathen priest into the gap.

He was fully armed, and wore the great golden ring of the temple--all that was left him of his old surroundings since Ethelwalch the king, who sent Wilfrith to us, had destroyed the building that stood with the image of Woden in it hard by his house.

Men used to take oath on that ring, as do we on the Book of the Gospels, and they held it holier than the oaken image of the god itself.

I do not think that any man had seen it since that time until this night.
Now Erpwald stood for a moment in the gate, with his men hard behind him, expecting a rush at him, as it would seem.

But our folk stood firm in the line across the courtyard, shoulder to shoulder, with my father and Owen before them.