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from their camp。 Having formed up in regular order； they
advanced towards the castle。 They divided into four bands；
three of these wheeled round to opposite sides of the fort；
the fourth； which was as large as the other three together；
advanced towards the entrance。 The Saxons all took the posts
previously assigned to them on the walls。 Edmund strengthened
the force on the side where the gate was by posting
there in addition the whole of his band。 Altogether there
were nearly 350 fighting men within the walls； of whom the
greater part had fought against the Danes in the battles of
the previous year。 The attack commenced simultaneously
on all sides by a discharge of arrows by the archers of both
parties。 The Saxons； sheltered behind the parapet on the
walls； suffered but slightly； but their missiles did
considerable execution among the masses of the Danes。 These；
however； did not pause to continue the conflict at a distance；
but uttering their battle…cry rushed forward。
Edmund and Egbert had but little fear of the attack on
the other faces of the fort proving successful； the chief
assault was against the gate； and it was here that the real
danger existed。
The main body of the Danes covered themselves with
their shields and rushed forward with the greatest
determination； pouring through the gap in the outer bank
in a solid mass； and then turned along the fosse towards
the inner gate。 Closely packed together； with their shields
above their heads forming a sort of testudo or roof which
protected them against the Saxons' arrows； they pressed
forward in spite of the shower of missiles with which the
Saxons on the walls assailed them。 Arrows； darts； and great
stones were showered down upon them； the latter breaking
down the shields； and affording the archers an opportunity
of pouring in their arrows。
Numbers fell； but the column swept along until it gained
the gate。 Here those in front began an attack upon the
massive beams with their axes； and when they had somewhat
weakened it； battered it with heavy beams of timber until it
was completely splintered。 While this was going on the Saxons
had continued to shoot without intermission； and the
Danish dead were heaped thickly around the gate。 The Danish
archers； assisted by their comrades； had scrambled up on
to the outer bank and kept up a heavy fire on the defenders
of the wall。 The Saxons sheltered their heads and shoulders
which were above the parapet with their shields； and between
these； as through loopholes； their archers shot at the Danes。
Edmund and Egbert had debated much on the previous days
whether they would pile stones behind the gate； but
had finally agreed not to do so。 They argued that although
for a time the stones would impede the progress of the Danes；
these would； if they shattered the door； sooner or later pull
down the stones or climb over them； and it was better to
have a smooth and level place for defence inside。 They had；
however； raised a bank of earth ten feet high in a semicircle
at a distance of twenty yards within the gate。
When it was seen that the gates were yielding Edmund
had called down his own band from the walls and formed
them in a half…circle ten yards from the gate。 They were four
deep； as in their usual formation； with the four lines of spears
projecting towards the gate。 The mound behind them he
lined with archers。
At last the gates fell； and with an exulting shout the Danes
poured in。 As they did so the archers on the mound loosed
their arrows； and the head of the Danish column melted like
snow before the blast of a furnace。 Still they poured in and
flung themselves upon the spearmen； but they strove in vain
to pierce the hedge of steel。 Desperately they threw themselves
upon the pike…heads and died there bravely； but they
were powerless to break a passage。
The archers on the mound still shot fast among them；
while those on the wall； turning round； smote them in the
back； where； unprotected by their shields； they offered a sure
and fatal mark。 Soon the narrow semicircle inside the gate
became heaped high with dead； impeding the efforts of those
still pressing in。 Several of the bravest of the Danish leaders
had fallen。 The crowd in the fosse； unaware of the obstacle
which prevented the advance of the head of the column and
harassed by the missiles from above； grew impatient； and after
half an hour of desperate efforts； and having lost upwards
of three hundred of his best men； the Danish king； furious
with rage and disappointment； called off his men。
On the other three sides the attack equally failed。 The
Danes suffered heavily while climbing the steep side of the
inner mound。 They brought with them faggots； which they
cast down at the foot of the wall； but this was built so near
the edge of the slope that they were unable to pile sufficient
faggots to give them the height required for a successful
assault upon it。 Many climbed up on their comrades' shoulders；
and so tried to scale the wall； but they were thrust down
by the Saxon spears as they raised themselves to its level； and
in no place succeeded in gaining a footing。 Over two hundred
fell in the three minor attacks。
There were great rejoicings among the Saxons； on whose
side but twenty…three had been killed。 A solemn mass was
held； at which all save a few look…outs on the walls attended；
and thanks returned to God for the repulse of the pagans；
then the garrison full of confidence awaited the next attack
of the enemy。
Stones were piled up in the gateway to prevent any sudden
surprise being effected there。 The Danes in their retreat
had carried off their dead； and the next morning the Saxons
saw that they were busy with the ceremonies of their burial。
At some little distance from their camp the dead were placed
in a sitting position； in long rows back to back with their
weapons by their sides； and earth was piled over them until a
great mound fifty yards long and ten feet high was raised。
Three jarls and one of their kings were buried separately。
They were placed together in a sitting position； with their
helmets on their heads； their shields on their arms； and their
swords by their sides。 Their four war…horses were killed and
laid beside them； twenty slaves were slaughtered and placed
lying round them； for their spirits to attend them in the
Walhalla of the gods。 Golden drinking…vessels and other
ornaments were placed by them； and then a mound forty feet
in diameter and twenty feet high was piled over the whole。
The whole force were occupied all day with this work。
The next day numbers of trees were felled and brought to
the camp； and for the next two days the Danes were occupied
in the manufacture of war…engines for battering down
the walls。 Edmund and Egbert utilized the time in instructing
the soldiers who did not form part of the regular band；
in the formation of the quadruple line of defence which the
Danes had found it so impossible to break through； so that if
more than one breach was effected； a resistance similar to
that made at the gate could be offered at all points。 The
skins of the oxen killed for the use of the garrison were
carefully