Egbert’s Stone, May, 878 AD
Egbert’s Stone, May, 878 ADThe seven weeks between settling at Athelney and the mustering date saw an intensive message campaign, with messengers travelling as far afield as Hamwic and back. The response to Alfred’s well-couched appeal was encouraging, although it remained to be seen how many thegns would honour their word. King Alfred did not allow the Danes to approach anywhere near our causeway. Well-prepared scouts informed us of their every move. Most Viking sorties aimed to gather food for the pagan army occupying the captured royal vill of Chippenham. Those straying too far south inevitably did not return as we intercepted and slaughtered them. The King’s reputation as an arch-enemy of the Norsemen, confined mostly to Wiltshire and Somerset, grew proport
