The Danes have fallen in great numbers in every fight, but they are ever receiving reinforcements and come on in fresh waves of invasion; while the Saxons, finding that all their efforts and valour seem to avail nothing, are beginning fast to lose heart.

See how small a number assembled round my standard yesterday, and yet the war is but beginning.

Truly the look-out is bad for England." The king made strenuous efforts again to raise an army, but the people did not respond to his call.

In addition to the battles which have been spoken of several others had been fought in different parts of Wessex by the ealdormen and their followers against bodies of invading Danes.
In the space of one year the Saxons had engaged in eight pitched battles and in many skirmishes.

Great numbers had been slain on both sides, but the Danes ever received fresh accessions of strength, and seemed to grow stronger and more numerous after every battle, while the Saxons were dwindling rapidly.