It is presumed that this killing was done by or for King Æthelred, who had had Ælf and Ælfwine, sons of Ælfwald, killed the previous year, and had attempted to kill Eardwulf in 790.
Presúmese que este asasinato foi ordenado por ou para Æthelred, que fixera matar a Ælf e Ælfwine, fillos de Ælfwald, o ano anterior, e tentara matar a Eardwulf en 790.