In his own court the King acted as interpreter to the Irish missionaries in their efforts to convert his thegns.

A new conception of kingship indeed began to blend itself with that of the warlike glory of AEthelfrith or the wise administration of Eadwine, and the moral power which was to reach its height in AElfred first dawns in the story of Oswald.

For after times the memory of Oswald's greatness was lost in the memory of his piety.

"By reason of his constant habit of praying or giving thanks to the Lord he was wont wherever he sat to hold his hands upturned on his knees." As he feasted with Bishop Aidan by his side, the thegn, or noble of his war-band, whom he had set to give alms to the poor at his gate told him of a multitude that still waited fasting without.

The king at once bade the untasted meat before him be carried to the poor, and his silver dish be parted piecemeal among them.