Edmund commanded at one of the breaches, Egbert at another, and Oswald, an old and experienced warrior, at the third.
At each point the scene was similar.

The Danes struggled up the mounds only to fail to break through the hedge of spears which crowned them, fast numbers dying in the attempt, while as many more fell pierced with arrows.

For an hour the Danes continued their desperate efforts, and not until fifteen hundred had been slain did they draw off to their camp, finding it impossible to break through the Saxon defences.
Loud rose the shouts of the triumphant Saxons as the Danes retired, and it needed all the efforts of their leaders to prevent them from pouring out in pursuit; but the events of the preceding year had taught the Saxon leaders how often their impetuosity after success had proved fatal to the Saxons, and that once in the plain the Danes would turn upon them and crush them by their still greatly superior numbers.
Therefore no one was allowed to sally out, and the discomfited Danes retired unmolested.
The next morning to their joy the Saxons saw that the invaders had broken up their camp, and had marched away in the night.

Scouts were sent out in various directions, and the Saxons employed themselves in stripping and burying the Danes who had fallen within the fort, only a few of the most distinguished having been carried off.

The scouts returned with news that the Danes had made no halt, but had departed entirely from that part of the country.