e--woe was the king alive! Then Hengest
grasped him with his grim gripe, and drew him to him by the mantle, so
that the strings brake. And the Saxons set on him, and would the king
kill, and Hengest gan him defend, and would not suffer it; but he held
him full fast, the while the fight lasted. There was many noble Briton
bereaved of the life! Some they fled quickly over the broad plain, and
defended them with stones, for weapons had they none. There was fight
exceeding hard, there fell many a good knight! There was a bold churl
of Salisbury come, he bare on his back a great strong club.

Then was there a noble earl, named Aldolf, knight with the best, he
possessed Gloucester, he leapt to the churl, as if it were a lion, and
took from him the club, that he bare on his back; whomsoever he smote
therewith, there forth-right he died; before and behind he laid them
to the ground. Three and fifty there he slew and afterwards drew
towards a steed, he leapt upon the steed, and quickly gan him ride, he
rode to Gloucester, and the gates locked full fast. And anon
forth-right caused his knights to arm, and marched over all the land,
and took what they found, they took cattle, they took corn, and all
that they found alive, and brought to the burgh with great bliss; the
gates they closed fast, and well them guarded.

Let we it thus stand, and speak we of the king. The Saxons leapt
towards him, and would kill the king, but Hengest called forth-right,
"Stop, my knights, ye shall him not destroy; for us he hath had much
care, and he hath for queen my daughter who is fair. But all his
burghs he shall deliver to us, if he will enjoy his life, or else is
sorrow given to him." Then was Vortiger fast bound, gyves exceeding
great they put on his feet, he might not ever bite meat, nor speak
with any friend, ere he had to them sworn upon relic that was choice,
that he would deliver them all this kingdom, in hand, burghs and
castles, and all his kingdoms. And all so he did, as it was deemed.
And Hengest took in his hand all this rich kingdom, and divided among
his people much of this land. He gave an earl all Kent, as it lay by
London, he gave his steward Essex, and on his chamberlain he bestowed
Middlesex. The knights received it, and a while they held it, the
while Vortiger proceeded over this land, and delivered to Hengest his
noble burghs. And Hengest forth-right placed his knights therein, the
while much of the baser people lay in Sussex,