Tame Weorth, 721 AD
The king of the West Seax, Ine, an old acquaintance of Æthelbald, had occupied the throne for thirty-three years. His powerful presence, allied to that of Wihtred of Kent, whose reign was of similar longevity, was a source of frustration for Æthelbald"s ambitions for the south. A debt of gratitude had curbed the King of Mierce"s aggressive impulses towards the West Seaxa on more than one occasion. Years before, when Æthelbald was a harried exile, Ine had lent his assistance against his tormentor and predecessor, King Coelred.
Standing before him now, a messenger from that southern land entreated his aid on behalf of the aetheling, Cynewulf, against King Ine. Sedition and rebellion! As he stared into the face of the message-bearer, an eager expression betrayed the wolf
