Chapter 51 - Of Olaf king of Scots.
Olaf the Red was the name of the king in Scotland. He was Scotch on his father’s side, but Danish on
his mother’s side, and came of the family of Ragnar Hairy-breeks. He was a powerful prince.
Scotland, as compared with England, was reckoned a third of the realm; Northumberland was
reckoned a fifth part of England; it was the northernmost county, marching with Scotland on the
eastern side of the island. Formerly the Danish kings had held it. Its chief town is York. It was in
Athelstan’s dominions; he had set over it two earls, the one named Alfgeir, the other Gudrek. They
were set there as defenders of the land against the inroads of Scots, Danes, and Norsemen, who harried
the land much, and though they had a strong claim on the land there, because in Northumberland
nearly all the inhabitants were Danish by the father’s or mother’s side, and many by both.

Bretland was governed by two brothers, Hring and Adils; they were tributaries under king Athelstan,
and withal had this right, that when they were with the king in the field, they and their force should be
in the van of the battle before the royal standard. These brothers were right good warriors, but not
young men.

Alfred the Great had deprived all tributary kings of name and power; they were now called earls, who
had before been kings or princes. This was maintained throughout his lifetime and his son Edward’s.
But Athelstan came young to the kingdom, and of him they stood less in awe. Wherefore many now
were disloyal who had before been faithful subjects.

Chapter 52 - Of the gathering of the host.
Olaf king of Scots, drew together a mighty host, and marched upon England. When he came to
Northumberland, he advanced with shield of war. On learning this, the earls who ruled there mustered
their force and went against the king. And when they met there was a great battle, whereof the issue
was that king Olaf won the victory, but earl Gudrek fell, and Alfgeir fled away, as did the greater part
of the force that had followed them and escaped from the field. And now king Olaf found no further
resistance, but subdued all Northumberland.

Alfgeir went to king Athelstan, and told him of his defeat. But as soon as king Athelstan heard that so
mighty a host was come into his land, he despatched men and summoned forces, sending word to his
earls and other nobles. And with such force as he had he at once turned him and marched against the
Scots. But when it was bruited about that Olaf king of Scots had won a victory and subdued under him
a large part of England, he soon had a much larger army than Athelstan, for many nobles joined him.
And on learning this, Hring and Adils, who had gathered much people, turned to swell king Olaf’s
army. Thus their numbers became exceeding great.

All this when Athelstan learned, he summoned to conference his captains and his counsellors; he
inquired of them what were best to do; he told the whole council point by point what he had
ascertained about the doings of the Scots’ king and his numbers. All present were agreed on this, that
Alfgeir was most to blame, and thought it were but his due to lose his earldom. But the plan resolved
on was this, that king Athelstan should go back to the south of England, and then for himself hold a
levy of troops, coming northwards through the whole land; for they saw that the only way for the
needful numbers to be levied in time was for the king himself to gather the force.

As for the army already assembled, the king set over it as commanders Thorolf and Egil. They were
also to lead that force which the freebooters had brought to the king. But Alfgeir still held command
over his own troops. Further, the king appointed such captains of companies as he thought fit.