The Golden Dragon had been unfurled.

On the fort in Athelney, and after crossing the marshes to the mainland it was carried in the centre of the phalanx.
On the 12th they reached the appointed place, where they found a great multitude of Saxons already gathered.

They had poured in from Devonshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire, from Dorset and Hants.

In spite of the vigorous edicts of the Danes against arms a great proportion of them bore weapons, which had been buried in the earth, or concealed in hollow trees or other hiding-places until the time for action should again arrive.
As they saw the king approaching at the head of his band, with the Golden Dragon fluttering in the breeze, a great shout of joy arose from the multitude, and they crowded round the monarch with shouts of welcome at his reappearance among them, and with vows to die rather than again to yield to the tyranny of the Northmen.

The rest of the day was spent in distributing the newly fashioned arms to those who needed them, and in arranging the men in bands under their own thanes, or, in their absence, such leaders as the king appointed.
Upon the following morning the army started, marching in a north-easterly direction against the great camp of the Danes at Chippenham.