Peering with difficulty down to the enemy front line, he noticed how well armed and uniform the Saxon shield wall presented itself. The right flank of the enemy advanced ahead of the main army coming towards the hidden Scots in the woods. Constantine sent a grandson with a message to alert Jarl Athils, the Viking commander King Olaf had foisted on the Scots in the field – yet another cause for resentment. Did Olaf not have faith in his allies? Constantine understood. For his part, he trusted no one, alliances and enmities interchanged with ease in his experience.
He picked out the banner of the Danish mercenaries led by one of the devious Icelandic brothers. Athelstan’s plan was clear, to send the ferocious Danes to turn and roll up the Norsemen’s shield wall. They would receive a warmer
