But when we went back to the abbey, the bishop sent for us, and we were taken into a room we had not seen before, and there on the table were laid out three suits of mail, helmets, and arms.

“Now,” said Ealhstan, as he saw our eyes go, as a man’s eyes will, straight to these things, “if you thanes are not too proud to accept such as I can give, let me arm you, and tell you where you shall bear these arms.”

And that was what we longed for, for as yet we had no post in the levy, and we told him as much.

“That is well,” he answered.  “See, Wislac, here is bright steel armour and helm and shield for you.  Sword also, if you need it, for maybe you will scarce part from your own tried weapon?”

But Wislac smiled at that, and took hold of his sword hilt, loosening the strings which bound it to the sheath.  There were but eight inches of blade left, and these were sorely notched.

“Aha!” quoth the bishop, “now know I why Wislac thought well to stop fighting the other day,” which pleased the Mercian well enough.

“Then, Wulfhere,” went on Ealhstan, “here is this black armour and helm and shield for you, and sword or axe as you will.”

And Wulfhere thanked him, taking the axe, as his own sword was good.

“Now, Heregar, my son, this is yours,” said the bishop, looking kindly at me.

And as I looked I thought I had never seen more beautiful arms.  No better were they than the other two suits, for all three were of good Sussex ring mail as to the byrnies, [x] while the boar-crested helms were of hammered steel.

But mine was silver white, with gold collar and gold circles round the arms.  Gold, too, was the boar-crest of the helm, and gold the circle round the head, and to me it seemed as I looked that this was too good.  And Ealhstan knew my thoughts and answered them.

“Black for the man of dark counsel, bright steel for the warrior, and silver-bright armour for the man who brings back hope when all seems lost.”

“That is good,” said Wislac.  “Now read us the meaning of the gold thereon also,” for he seemed to see that the bishop had some meaning in that, whereat the bishop smiled.

“Gold for trust,” he said, “and for the man who shall be honoured.”

“That is well also,” said Wulfhere, and Wislac nodded gravely.

“Now,” said the bishop, “I will put Heregar out of my council for a minute, so that he may not speak nor hear.  Tell me, Thanes both, if it will be well to give Heregar the place whereto men shall rally in need?”

“Aye, surely,” they said.  “We know he can fill that place.”

“Then shall he bear my standard,” said the bishop, “and none will gainsay it,” and so he turned to me.

“Now, Heregar, may you hear this decision.  Standard bearer to me shall you be, and I know you will bear it well and bravely.  And these two, your friends and mine, shall stand to right and left of you, and six stout carles may you choose from the levy to stand before and behind you.  And whom you choose I will arm alike, that all may know them.”