The first great battle that was fought was at Wilton.

This was within a month of his accession to the throne.

The battle was very obstinately fought; at the first onset Alfred's troops carried all before them, and there was every prospect that he would win the day.

In the end, however, the tide of victory turned in favor of the Danes, and Alfred and his troops were driven from the field.
There was an immense loss on both sides.

In fact, both armies were, for the time, pretty effectually disabled, and each seems to have shrunk from a renewal of the contest.