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.