Nevertheless, I suppose that in men's minds he always will be held answerable for what the other chiefs wrought of ill, because he bore the name of king from the first, and ruled East Anglia.

No Saxon, who is used to hold his king as over all, will understand how little power a host-king of the north has.
Now all this while my good ship lay at Bridgwater, and with her were fifty of my men, who were well quartered among the townsfolk, and helped to guard the bridge.

And, as I have said, two ships were being built there.

So one day in the third week in March I rode away with Kolgrim from Athelney, to see how all things were going on there, meaning also to go to Heregar's place for a time, having messages to give him from the king.
Harek was coming with me; but Alfred asked me to spare him for this time.
"I have to learn somewhat from the scald," he said.
"Wizardry, my king ?" I asked, laughing, for that was ever a jest at the scald's expense after it was known how we found out that Alfred was at Denewulf's house.
"Nay, but song," he answered.

"Now I see not why I should not tell you who put the thought into my mind; but I am going, as you did, to spy out the Danish camp.