Then it changed wholly the feeling which prevailed among the Saxon soldiery, and also the Saxon chieftains, in respect to these enemies.

A great deal of the bitterness of exasperation with which they had regarded them arose from the fact that they were pagans, the haters and despisers of the rites and institutions of religion.
Guthrum's approaching baptism was to change all this; and Alfred, in leading him to the baptismal font, was achieving, in the estimation not only of all England, but of France and of Rome, a far greater and nobler victory than when he conquered his armies on the field of Edendune.
The various ceremonies connected with the baptism were protracted through several days.

They were commenced at a place called Aulre, near Ethelney, where there was a religious establishment and priests to perform the necessary rites.

The new convert was clothed in white garments--the symbol of purity, then customarily worn by candidates for baptism--and was covered with a mystic veil.

They gave Guthrum a new name--a Christian, that is, a Saxon name.