Having brought Duke Gorlois of Cornwall into line in 489, the talk at the Spring Court this year was inevitably about him - or to be more precise, his wife, the duchess, although being Cornish, much of the talk, although admiring her reputed beauty, tended to pour scorn upon her.
Of course, alongside talk of the Duchess, the impending battle was at the forefront of people's minds. With the Saxons King Octa and his cousin Eosa wreaking havoc to the North, time had come to put an end to their terror.
And so the British Army assembled in Lincoln, some 2000 knights and 5000 footmen, and battle commenced at Lindsey, a long hard fight lasting some 41/2 hours.The first 3 hours saw much movement back and forth. The fighting was brutal, with neither side really gaining the upper hand. This was soon to change as Duke Gorlois led a charge through the right flank of the Saxon hoard, bringing down the Giant Eosa! This would no doubt raise his previously tarnished reputation with the King! Sadly for Dylan, this moment of breakthrough was also to be his downfall with a wretched blow by a Saxon beserker crushing him, rendering him unconscious and rapidly approaching death…
Having been dealt this demoralising blow, it was no surprise when the central forces led by Uther, and containing Roderick and our knights caused the central force of the foe to collapse and rout. Having been trying hard to reach the Octa, suddenly the field opened up in front of them and Erec and Gaelavin had opportunity to reach either him or his banner. Reaching out for glory, they opted for the King himself. At first they had to face his fierce some Heorthgeneat, but these were ably dispatched. Grasping the opportunity with all the valour they could muster, they then faced Octa himself, wielding his axe with fire in his eyes. Although Erec and Gaelavin may not believe in him, Our Lord must have been smiling on them as they stood firm and dispatched this devil incarnate into unconsciousness, binding him and taking him as prisoner!
Before long the remaining foe were set to flight! Songs will be sung of this day for many years to come. The name of Gaelavin who fought with great strength especially in the opening hours of combat, and Sir Erec who grew in power as others around him weakened will be proclaimed throughout Salisbury as heroes. Should Dylan somehow come through his seemingly mortal wounds, he too will be held in great esteem.