 Early in the year 985, a royal council was convened at Cirencester and Ælfric was driven out of the country on account of treason.The nature of the accusation is unknown, but it may be related to allegations that he had appropriated estates in Gloucestershire from a widowed "matrona" called Eadflæd, possibly Ælfhere's widow.These allegations are known from two royal diplomas which were issued around the turn of the century in favour of Abingdon Abbey.