 Dunstan soon became a favourite of the king and was the envy of other members of the court . A plot was hatched to disgrace him and Dunstan was accused of being involved with witchcraft and black magic . The king ordered him to leave the court and as Dunstan was leaving the palace his enemies physically attacked him , beat him severely , bound him , and threw him into a cesspool . He managed to crawl out and make his way to the house of a friend . From there , he journeyed to Winchester and entered the service of his uncle , Ælfheah , Bishop of Winchester . 
