 Ælfric was among the leading advisers of King Æthelred and was described by the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" as 'one of those in whom the king trusted most'; this is perhaps seen in 991 when, along with Æthelweard and Sigeric, he advised the king to pay the Danes for peace, which he did.Though one of the king's most trusted men, Ælfric in 992 defected to a Danish fleet that he was supposed to attack.Though his defecting ship was captured, he escaped.