Beorhford, Oxnafordscir, 750 AD
The Miercian army, led by its standard bearers, crossed the River Wenrush and halted before the hill where the settlement of Beorhford loomed over them. Æthelbald stared up, perplexed. Based on the information provided by his scouts, the West Seax force ought to be lined up on the crest of the hill. Instead, it appeared the enemy had abandoned the heights. With due caution, the king ordered a steady advance to the village and beyond, as far as the top of the ridge. Thence, he gazed down on the plain where the West Seaxa deployed their host. It troubled him they had forsaken the heights. It was a tactic he would never use. Could it be the West Seax, and Cuthred in particular, were inept in battle? His experienced warrior"s eye swept over the enemy formation
