It is noted for its departure from traditional Old English poetic metre, abandoning the alliterative verse form in favour of fairly consistently rhyming hemistichs.
[3]: 24 In this year, Ælfred, the innocent prince, son of King Æthelræd, came here, and desired to travel to his mother, who was in residence in Winchester.
Ne wearð dreorlicre dæd gedon on þison earde, syþþan Dene comon and her frið namon.
Nu is to gelyfenne to ðan leofan gode, þæt hi blission bliðe mid Criste þe wæron butan scylde swa earmlice acwealde.
Afterwards they buried him as was fitting, full honourably, as he was worthy, at the west end, right near the steeple, in the south porch; his soul is with Christ.