This rumour was too much for Egfrid. He wanted to show his childhood hero his new-found strength, and test his skills against him. He also wanted to make sure that no one thought he was a weakling under the thumb of his wife.
Against Etheldreda’s advice he took his men south, and Lindsey once more became a pawn in the game of power between Mercia and Northumbria.
Wulfhere was not expecting an attack, all his advisers and spies having told him that Egfrid was useless at everything except drinking, womanising and playing at soldiering. He was occupied on his western borders when the attack on Lindsey came, and Egfrid won an instant victory.
Beside himself with excitement at his achievement he rode back to Bamburgh. On his arrival he did not go straight to Eormenburh as he normally would h
