The optimism that Asculf felt on his return to Winchester was short-lived. As the weeks turned into months, King Egbert’s problems became the ealdorman’s. He soon realised that for reasons of state, he was a virtual prisoner at the court of the King of Wessex. A vague suspicion turned into certainty when Egbert commanded, “Send for the fyrd of East Kent, Ealdorman, we must prepare for war.”
Thegn Etheric received the same order, also without further explanation.
Later, when the two noblemen met alone, Asculf sought information.
“The king has commanded me to raise the fyrd.”
“Ay, he ordered the same of me.”
“Did he give a reason?”
Thegn Etheric’s smile, an ambiguous curl of his lip, revealed his thinking.
“A king does not need to explain his orders, Ealdorman. Since his decisions inv
