The host was quiet in winter quarters in Mercia, and the Danes in our country grew friendly with us, harming no man.
These men, I could see, would fain bide in peace, settling down, being tired of war, and liking the new country, where there was room and to spare for all.
In early spring Guthrum went to the host on the Wessex borders, taking command in Ingvar's place.
For Hubba went to Northumbria, there to complete his conquests, and Halfden was on the western borders of Wessex.

And before he went Guthrum took great care for the good ordering of our land--and that he might leave it at all at that time was enough to show that he feared no revolt against him.
Now as I sat in our hall, listless and downcast, one day in July, Cyneward came in to me.
"Here is news, master, that I know not what to make of." "What is it ?" I said.

"Is the war to be here once more ?" "The war is no nearer than Ashdown Heath; but it seems that the Wessex men have found a leader." Then he told me of the long fighting round Reading, and how at last Halfden had cut his way through Wessex and joined forces with Guthrum after many victories.

But that then Ethelred and Alfred the Atheling had made a great effort, winning a mighty victory on Ashdown Heath, slaying Bagsac the king and both the Sidracs, Harald and Osbern the jarls, Frene, and many more with them.

Nine battles had they fought that year and last.
"How hear you of this ?" I said.
"There has come a messenger from Guthrum with the news, and even now the Danes march in all haste from the towns to fill up the gaps in the ranks of the host, and he says that ships must go back to Jutland to Ingvar for more men from overseas." Now this news was nothing to us East Anglians for the most part, and to me it was but a turn of the fight between Dane and Saxon for the overlordship of all England.