The following events, described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle under the year AD 755, are a classic of warrior loyalty and it has been suggested that they may be a traditional story rather than a strictly accurate report.
The atheling immediately offered Cynewulf's men life and rewards; which none of them would accept, but continued fighting together against him, till they all lay dead, except one British hostage, and he was severely wounded.
The gates, however, were locked against them, which they attempted to force; but he promised them their own choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom; reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who would never desert him.
Then they continued fighting at the gates, till they rushed in, and slew the atheling and all the men that were with him; except one, who was the godson of the aldorman, and whose life he spared, though he was often wounded.
[1] The murder of Cynewulf is placed by modern historians, including the Rev G. H. Godwin, at Marten, a hamlet in the county of Wiltshire.