Sondwic, Kent, 1001 AD
Sondwic, Kent, 1001 ADAt anchor in Sondwic Bay, the English fleet made a fine sight. Folcwin had mixed feelings as he counted the vessels. Overriding his fraternal love was a deep resentment for the abandonment of Kent in its hour of need and he intended to vent his emotions as soon as his brother set foot on the quay. From the messages he had accumulated at the time, he already knew Aelfwynn’s line of defence, but the failings of the king, shortage of money and ill-humour of the crews, whilst all contributory factors, only served, in Folcwin’s eyes, to befog the truth. In his opinion, Aelfwynn’s leadership, once unquestioned, now lacked backbone.
They embraced but Folcwin let his brother feel his coldness until he could stand it no more and asked,
“Have I done so
