They were naked to the waist save for shield and helmet; below the waist each wore a short and tightly-fitting garment covered with plates of brass; the legs were naked, and each wore a pair of light sandals; their weapons were long straight swords.
The weapon Edmund had chosen was considerably lighter than that of his opponent, but was of toughest steel, on which were engraved in rough characters, "Prayers to Woden for victory." The difference in height between the combatants was considerable.
Edmund stood five feet ten, but looked shorter from the squareness and width of his shoulders.

Sweyn was nearly four inches taller, and he too was very strongly built.

His muscles indeed stood out in stronger development than did those of Edmund, and if pure strength was to win the day few of those who looked on doubted that the Dane would be the victor.
The combat was a long one.

For some time Edmund contented himself with standing upon the defensive and guarding the tremendous blows which Sweyn rained upon him.

In spite of the efforts of the Northman, he could neither beat down the Saxon's guard nor force him to fall back a single step.
Again and again the rattle of the spectators' arms clashed an approval of Edmund's steady resistance to his opponent's assaults.