Α.υ. 749. BATTUE AT BEREFOBB. 21 year of his reign, he was no longer able to endure the exactions and insolence of Ethelbald, king of Mercia, met him, with his troops ranged under their banners, at Bereford,68 having postponed all hopes of surviving to liberty. He also brought with him Edelhun, the above-named warlike earl, who was then reconciled to him, and relying on whose valour and counsel he was enabled to incur the hazards of war. On the other hand, Ethelbald, the king of kings, together with the Mercians, had brought the men of Kent, and the "West Saxons, and numerous forces of the Angles. The armies, therefore, being drawn up in battle array, marching straight onward, were drawing close to each other, when Edelhun going before, and bearing the standard10 of the king of "Wessex, which was a golden dragon, pierced the enemy's standard-bearer. On this, an outcry arising, the party of Cuthred was greatly encouraged, and immediately thereupon the hostile ranks closed, and rushed on to mutual slaughter, with dreadful blows and a terrific crash. In this battle, with all their pride, the Mercians were so humbled, that for a long series of succeeding years fortune rendered them subject to "Wessex. Anyone, who had just before seen the ranks shining with coats of mail, bristling with helmets, rough with lances, variegated with standards, and resplendent with gold, might shortly afterwards have seen them steeped in blood, with lances broken, scattered in ruin, bespattered with human brains, and Mghtful to look upon. "With determined obstinacy, and displaying the greatest bravery, they rallied beneath their standards, and waged the combat with swords and battle-axes, and with direful intent line rushed on against line, each side having an assured hope of victory. There was no thinking of flight ; the Mercians were urged on by the swelling pride of • their proud dominion, the men of Wessex were inflamed by the dread of slavery. But in every direction Edelhun, the above-named earl, penetrated the ranks, and a road lay open, strewed with ruin, while in the dreadful carnage his battle-axe was hewing through both bodies and armour. Ethelbald, the most valiant king of the Mercians, rushed on in every direction, and slaughtered the enemy, while to his 69 Burford. 70 Roger of Wendover makes a mistake in representing Edelhun (whom he calls Athelun) as the standard bearer of Ethelbald, the king of the Mercians.