They were not sustained by the strong assurance of victory, nor by the desperate determination which animated the Saxons.

The flight soon became general.

They could not gain the fortification on the hill, for Alfred had forced his way in between the encampment on the plains and the approaches to the hill.

The Danes, consequently, not being able to find refuge in either part of the position they had taken, fled altogether from the field, pursued by Alfred's victorious columns as fast as they could follow.
Guthrum succeeded, by great and vigorous exertions, in rallying his men, or, at least, in so far collecting and concentrating the separate bodies of the fugitives as to change the flight into a retreat, having some semblance of military order.

Vast numbers had been left dead upon the field.