Nevertheless there is more than mortal in what has happened to you by way of trial." Now came the time when Guthrum and his thirty comrades should seek the king, and I have no words to tell of that time when in the peaceful church we heathen stood white-robed and unarmed altogether at the font, while Sigehelm, with a wonderful gathering of priests, enlisted us as warriors of the Cross.

It was, as all men think, the most mighty victory that Alfred had ever gained.
At that time he chose Guthrum as his own son in the faith, and named him Athelstan {xviii}, as the first and most noble stone of the new building up of the church among the Danes.

Neot would not have our names changed, for he said we had wronged the faith in them not at all.

Odda stood for Osmund, as Neot for us.
After that was joyous feasting, and the loosing of the chrism bands at Alfred's royal town of Wedmore, whither we went in bright procession through the long summer day.

Four days we bided there, till we knew that the great Danish host was on its march homewards, and then Guthrum and his comrades must join it.