The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Britain

The Danish History, > Book Two

• attribution: The British king warned his men not to be distracted by the scattered treasure, recognizing it as a deliberate trap

  "they should know that the plunder had been abandoned by the enemy of set purpose, and that the gold had been scattered rather to betray them than to profit them"

• attribution: The British knight argued that the scattered treasure was their own property stolen by the Danes, not enemy spoils

  "We recognise these as the treasures of our own homes, and having done so, shall we falter to pick them up?"

• attestation: The Britons broke ranks to grab the scattered gold, resulting in infighting and domestic discord over the plunder

  "the hands of all were loosed upon the booty and everywhere plucked up the shining treasure"