Note (40) — Chapter I
Reading edition
The distinction between Kings and Jarls comes out very strongly in the account of the battle of Ashdown (Æscesdune) in the Chronicles in 871. The Danes “wæron on twam gefylcum, on oþrum wæs Bagsecg and Healfdene, þa hæðenan cingas and on oðrum wæron þa eorlas.” It may be marked that in the English army King Æthelred is set against the Danish Kings, and his brother the Ætheling Ælfred against the Jarls. So in the Song of Brunanburh we read of the five Kings and seven Jarls who were slain.
“Fife lagonsweordum aswefede,
on ðæm campstedeswilce seofone eac
ciningas geonge,eorlas Anlafes.”
We may mark that the Kings were young, as if they had been chosen “ex nobilitate;” nothing is said of the age of the Jarls, who were doubtless chosen “ex virtute.”