It will be best to send orders to the ealdormen and thanes to send hither privately the smiths, armourers, and shield-makers in the villages and towns.

They cannot work with the Danes ever about, but must set up smithies here.

They must bring their tools and such iron as they can carry; what more is required we must buy at the large towns and bring privately in carts to the edge of the morass.

The utmost silence and secrecy must be observed, that the Danes may obtain no news of our preparations until we are ready to burst out upon them." A fortnight later Athelney presented a changed appearance.

A thousand men were gathered there.