about certain Englishmen who cut their hair in the Danish fashion (long in front, short behind) at a time

when the English were fighting the Vikings (ca A.D. 1000).

From a letter by lfric, Abbot of Eynsham, to an unidentified 'Brother Edward' complaining

Ic secge ac , brer adweard, n m isses bde, t g d

I say also [to] thee, brother Edward, now you me [of ] this asked, that ye do

unrihtlce t g Engliscan awas forlta e owre fderas

unrightly that ye those English customs abandon that your fathers

holdon, and henra manna owas lufia e ow s lfes ne unnon.

held, and [of ] heathen men's customs [ye] love who[for] you [of ] that life not care*

And mid m geswutelia t g forso ower cynn and owre yldran

and with that [ye] reveal that ye despise your kin and your elders

mid m unawum, onne g him on tonan tyslia ow on Denisc,

with those vices when ye [to] them as injury dress you[rselves] in Danish**

bleredum hneccan and blendum agum.

[with] bared neck and blinded eyes.

*MnE who do not allow you life, who wish you ill **MnE in Danish fashion