The Vikings cross and the battle begins in earnest. For a while the English are doing well, with many individual acts of heroism but then Byrhtnoth is killed by a thrown spear. Wulfmaer the Young draws out the spear and throws it back at the Viking, killing him, but Byrhtnoth has received his fatal wound.
Byrhtnoth thanks God for all the blessings he has received on earth, but then the Vikings kill him and the men next to him. And with Byrhtnoth dead, some of the English flee the battle, most visibly the sons of Odda. Godric leaps on Byrhtnoth’s horse and rides away.
The hearth-companions do not give up, however, and continue to fight and inspire each other with speeches.
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