A desperate fight ensued, but after a struggle, which continued for many hours, the Danes were completely defeated, the whole of their vessels were captured, and all on board put to the sword.
On the following day the army landed and ravaged the surrounding country and returned to the ships with much booty.

As they sailed out of the river they saw a vast fleet of the enemy approaching.

Athelstan had assembled his ships from all the ports of East Anglia, and had been joined by a large reinforcement of his countrymen from France.

The Saxons were greatly outnumbered, but a portion of the fleet fought with great bravery.

Some of the ships, however, being manned with newly-collected crews unaccustomed to naval war, lost heart, and made but a poor resistance.
Alfred was on board the Dragon, which sank several of the Danish galleys, and with some of her consorts continued the fight until nightfall, beating off every attempt of the Danes to board them.