After he was wounded in battle in 679, defending Mercia against Northumbrian attack, royal thegn Imma was captured by the enemy. By concealing his true identity, Imma ensured he suffered no worse than being bound; but when the bonds would not hold, loosening themselves regularly and especially around nine in the morning, rumours flew that he had magical powers.

On learning that Imma was really a high-value enemy, the Northumbrian king sold him as a slave to London. His new master still could not keep Imma bound, so he allowed Imma’s friends to buy his freedom. Then Imma discovered that his bonds had fallen off whenever his brother Tunna, who thought he was dead, prayed for him during mass.

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