He was very skilled in arms and horsemanship. On the march sometimes he went ahead of his soldiers on horseback, (but) more often on foot. He had no helmet whether there was sun or rain. He covered very long distances with incredible speed and completed one hundred miles in one day. If the rivers delayed (him), he crossed (them) by swimming or by rafts so that he often arrived at the camp before the messengers. He never led his army through treacherous territory unless he had thoroughly explored the territory and he did not cross over into Britain unless he had first explored the harbors, the course, and the approach to the island. In eloquence and military skill, he either equaled or surpassed the fame of the most outstanding men.

Copyright 1996