to speed well, so much the more should his praise be increased, he
determined to attempt the fortune of warre, and therevpon intimated
the same vnto Egbert, who supposing it should be a dishonor vnto him
[Sidenote: A battell fought at Ellendon.]
to giue place, boldlie prepared to méete Bernulfe in the field.
Herevpon they incountred togither at Ellendon, & fought a sore
battell, in the which a huge number of men were slaine, what on the
one part, and on the other but in the end the victorie remained with
Egbert, although he had not the like host for number vnto Bernulfe,
[Sidenote: Egbert won the victorie.]
but he was a politike prince, and of great experience, hauing chosen
his souldiers of nimble, leane, and hartie men; where Bernulfs
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ 826.]
souldiers (through long ease) were cowardlie persons, and
ouercharged with flesh. The battell was fought in the yeare of our
Lord 826.

King Egbert hauing got this victorie, was aduanced into such hope,
that he persuaded himselfe to be able without great adoo to ouercome
the residue of his neighbours, whose estates he saw plainlie sore
weakened and fallen into great decaie. Herevpon before all other, he
determined to assaile Edelvulfe king of Kent, whome he knew to be
a man in no estimation amongest his subiects. A competent armie
therefore being leuied, he appointed his sonne Ethelwulfe & Alstan
[Sidenote: Alstan bishop of Shireborn a warrior.]
bishop of Shireborne, with earle Walhard to haue the conduct therof,
and sent them with the same into Kent, where they wrought such
maisteries, that they chased both the king and all other that would
not submit themselues, out of the countrie, constreining them to
[Sidenote: The conquests of the Westsaxons.]