Now have Ceorle and I and my council spoken of this matter, and we have thought of rewards fitting for the shield wall of the standard." Then would we thank the king; but he bade us wait for a little, putting his hand on those great parchments with the seals.

One of these he took and gave to Aldhelm.
"This is to your father, confirming his rights of the land he holds of me to him and his heirs for ever, by reason of your good service.

Yet is there a little blame to you from the way in which you found a foremost place, though much praise for the holding thereof and in your manner of ending that quarrel." So Aldhelm took the deed and kissed the king's hand in token of homage, going to his place very glad, for this was what his father desired most of all.
Then the king beckoned Wislac and gave him also a deed like Aldhelm's, granting him the lordship of the manor of Goring on the Thames, and that was a good reward to the stout Mercian, who thanked the king, saying that he wotted not how his majesty knew what he would have most wished.
Whereupon the king laughed, saying that kings knew more than men gave them credit for, and so Wislac did homage, and sat down.
Then Ethelwulf looked at Wulfhere, and said; "Wulfhere, my old warrior, I know not rightly what to do with you, for you are a lonely man, and I think that a place in my court would not suit you.

Nor would you care to hold a manor in a strange place.

Wait a little, and we will think it over." Now at that Wulfhere looked glad, for I think he feared rather than desired reward.
Now came my turn, and my face flushed, and I was a little frightened, for there was but one thing I wanted, and I feared that that might not be.
But the king made a step towards me and took me by the hand, looking hard at me.
"Heregar," he said, "yours has been a strange story, and from beginning to end you have been first in this victory that will gain us peace for many years to come.