This included Hastein's own wife and sons.[8] Hastein re-established his combined force at a new fort at Shoebury further north in Essex,[2] and received reinforcements from the settled Danes of East Anglia and York. Shortly after, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Hastein held talks with Alfred, possibly to discuss terms for the release of his family.[9] Whatever the discussion, it seems Hastein had his two sons returned to him. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us that it was because Alfred and Alfred's son-in-law Aethelred of Mercia, had stood sponsor to Hastein's sons at their baptism in early 893, before Hastein had arrived at Benfleet.