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.