.

The Greatest Victory.
Now in a few days it was plain that Alfred held the Danes in the hollow of his hand as it were, and could do what he would with them.

At first we looked for messengers from the place, to treat with him for peace; but none came.

From the town at times we could hear shoutings and the noise of men who quarrelled, as if there were divided counsels among them that led to blows.

They were very short of food also, because all their stores of cattle were left outside the walls, as I have said, so that we fared the better for their plundering while we waited.
At the end of the first week, therefore, Alfred sent a message under flag of truce, and told the chiefs that he was willing to hear what they would say; and next day Guthrum asked that some chiefs might come and speak with him.