The Battle of Maldon

Ron's Thoughts and Background on this

Here are some of my thoughts........

In England, the Vikings began serious raids just before the year 800 ce. The date commonly held for the start of the Viking age is 793 ce with a Viking assualt on a Christian abbey at Lindesfarne. In Northumbria, I believe. Northumbria is the northeastern part of England . It lies on the western part of the North Sea, and thus exposed to the many sea routes used by the Germanic peoples. These sea roads weaved a huge web of trade , communication and warfare between the Scandinavian lands, Denmark, Frankland (France), Friesia, Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland etc etc.

After this attack, raids on England increased in frequency and size each year. In the year 865 ce, what is known as the 'Great Army' landed in East Anglia. The Great Army was Danish in orgin, with handfuls of other Germanic folks thrown in. Hey, it is a big invasion, think of the booty and land to be gotten! East Anglia, one of the most ancient of the Anglo Saxons Kingdoms in England fell to the invaders. 10 years later, by 875 ce, Wessex was the only portion of England still not under the Vikings yoke. In 878 ce the Vikings pushed even farther west to try to complete their conquest of England. The Cyning of Wessex was Alfred. Known to us as Alfred the Great. He stemmed the invasion, turned it around and forced the invaders east,(that is a tale in itself!) reclaiming much land. He got the invaders to swear oaths of peace to him. Roughly, the Danish invaders settled in eastern England and the Anglo Saxons retained the rest. That is where the term Danelaw comes form. It was up to Alfred's heirs to reclaim the Danelaw, which they did, and lay it under Anglo Saxon rule again. The year 955 ce saw Alfred's great grandson Eadred rule over a united England.

It is extremely interesting to note when the Danes settled there, they did so in a different manner than when the Anglo Saxons took England. When the Anglo Saxons took England, they forced the British people(Romanized Celts) out of the land into Scotland and Wales. When the Danes settled, there was no depopulation of the Anglo Saxon folk in the conquered areas. I'm sure some people left the Danelaw for English land, but on the whole the local people stayed local, and gradually merged with the Danes, who by know had families brought from home and were settlers instead of conquerers.

Back to our tale. By 991 ce Ethelred the Unready, Eadred's heir and the next Anglo Saxon Cyning, was under attack by fresh rounds of new Viking invaders. Ethelred got the name of 'unready' because he was unprepared to deal with the invaders like his ancestors were. He paid off the invaders, which encouraged more pirates to invade!

In August of 991 ce, Byrhtnoth, Earl of Essex, mustered up part of the fyrd to deal with a large band of Vikings at Northey Island in Maldon. He, unlike his king was ready to deal with them.

You read the tale below and know the outcome. The Vikings demanded payment, Byrhtnoth refused. When the narrow causeway became exposed at low tide, 3 of the Anglo Saxons held the whole Viking army at bay. The Vikings in turn asked for permission to come across, so equal battle could be joined. As it were, the fyrd was in a seemingly undefeatable position. Bravely Byrhtnoth let them across to join battle. Unfortunatly, the English fyrd was defeated. What could have been an important rallying victory for the English Cyning, became a reinforcement of his practice of paying off the invaders.

The tale is an example of some of the best of Anglo Saxon behaviour, undeniably Heathen and common to all the Germanic people. From Lombard(Longobard) and Goths in Italy to the Franks, to the Saxons and Norse.

Byrhtnoth has been criticized for letting the Viking come across and join battle on an equal footing. I say the opposite is true. If they were not let across, I feel the Vikings would have hopped in their longships and sailed off to another unsuspecting town. Byrhtnoth stood his ground and made a stand for his folk and Cyning. Thus, he has been immortalized in the manner of Sigurd, Beowulf, Hengest,Theoderic, Alaric and Herman. What more can one ask for?

Frith!

Ron Branga

The Battle of Maldon
Ruth Lehman translation

                    ...would be broken.
     Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,
     driven afar and advance onward,
     giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
     Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
     that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
     for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
     falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.
     By this a man might understand that this youth would not
     prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
     Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,
     his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
     his spear to battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
     as long as he with hands might be able to grasp
15   shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
     that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
          Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
     riding and instructing, directing his warriors
     how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
20   and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
     with steady hands and be not afraid.
     Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,
     he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to
      be,
     there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.
25        Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
     a Viking messenger, making speech,
     menacingly delivering the sea-pirate's
     message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:
     "I send to you from the bold seamen,
30   a command to tell that you must quickly send
     treasures to us, and it would be better to you if
     with tribute buy off this conflict of spears
     than with us bitter battle share.
     No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;
35   we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
     If you believe which of these is the noblest path,
     and that your people are desirous of assurance,
     then pay the sea-farers on their own terms
     money towards peace and receive peace from us,
40   for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
     depart on the sea and keep peace with you."
          Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,
     brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
     wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:
45   "Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
     They desire to you a tribute of spears to pay,
     poisoned spears and old swords,
     the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.
     Sea-thieves messenger, deliver back in reply,
50   tell your people this spiteful message,
     that here stands undaunted an Earl with his band of men
     who will defend our homeland,
     Aethelred's country, the lord of my
     people and land.  Fall shall you
55   heathen in battle!  To us it would be shameful
     that you with our coin to your ships should get away
     without a fight, now you thus far
     into our homeland have come.
     You shall not so easily carry off our treasure:
60   with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,
     fierce conflict, is the tribute we will hand over."
          He then ordered their shields taken up, his soldiers
      advancing
     until on the river-bank they all stood.
     Because of the river they were not able this band of men to
     fight the other:
65   there came flowing the flood after the tide;
     joining in the tidal stream.  Too long it seemed to him
     until the time when they together with spears join in battle.
          There they on the Pante stream with pride lined the
      banks,
     East Saxon spears and the sea-raider army;
70   nor might any harm the other
     unless through an arrow's flight death receive.
          Then the tide went out.  The seamen stood ready,
     many Vikings eager for battle.
     Then the heroes' protector ordered that the causeway be held
75   by a warrior stern -- Wulfstan was his name --
     valiant with his people: that was Ceola's son,
     who the first man with his spear slain
     was one who boldly on the causeway stood.
     There fought with Wulfstan warriors fearless,
80   Aelfere and Maccus, two great in courage,
     who would not at this fjord take to flight,
     but stoutly against the enemy defended themselves
     while with their weapons they might wield.
     Then they understood and clearly saw,
85   that this guarding of the causeway was a fierce encounter,
     and so began to use guile, the hateful strangers,
     asked that passage to land they might have,
     to the shore and pass the fjord would this force lead.
          Then the Earl permitted in his great pride
90   to allow land many of these hateful people;
     and so then shouted on the shore of the cold water
     Byrhtelm's child -- and the warriors listened:
     "Now the way is open to you: come quickly to us
     you men to battle.  God alone knows
95   who on this field of honor may be allowed to be the master
      of."
          Then advanced the wolves of slaughter, for water they
     cared not for, this band of Vikings;
     west over the Pante's
     shining water shore they carried their shields,
     these men of the fleet towards land advanced their linden
     shields.
100  There against the enemy stood ready
     Byrhtnoth with his soldiers.  He with his shield commanded
     to form the battle ranks and that force of men to hold fast
     firmly towards the enemy.  Then was the fight near,
     glory in battle.  The time was come
105  that these doomed men would fall in battle.
     There came the loud clamor.  Ravens circled around,
     eagles eager for carrion.  On Earth was the battlecry.
          They then sent forth from their hands shafts hard as
      file,
     murderously sharpened spears flew.
110  Bows were busily at work, shields received spears.
     Fierce was that onslaught.  Warriors fell in battle
     on either side, young men lay slain.
          Wounded was Wulfmaer, meeting death on the battlefield,
     Byrhtnoth's kinsman: he with sword was,
115  his sister's son, cruelly hewn down.
     There were the Vikings given requital:
     I hear that Eadweard smote one
     fiercely with his sword, withholding not in his blow,
     so that at his feet fell a doomed warrior;
120  for this he of his people gave thanks for,
     this chamber-thane, when the opportunity arose.
          So stood firm of purpose
     these young men in battle, eagerly giving thought
     to who there with spear-points was first able
125  of doomed men's life destroy,
     warriors with weapons.  The slain in battle fell to Earth.
     Steadfast and unyielding, Byrhtnoth exhorted them,
     bidding that each young warrior's purpose to this battle,
     against the Danes a desire to win glory in war.
130       Advanced again to fierce battle, weapons raised up,
     shields to defense, and towards these warriors they stepped.
     Resolute they approached Earl to the lowest Yeoman:
     each of them intent on harm for the enemy.
     Sent then a sea-warrior a spear of southern make
135  that wounded the warrior lord.
     He thrust then with his shield such that the spear shaft
     burst,
     and that spear-head shattered as it sprang in reply.
     Enraged became that warrior: with anger he stabbed
     that proud Viking who had given him that wound.
140  Experienced was that warrior; he thrust his spear forward
     through the warrior's neck, his hand guiding
     so that he this ravager's life would fatally pierce.
          Then he with another stab speedily pierced the ravager
     so that the chainmail coat broke: this man had a breast wound
145  cut through the linked rings; through his heart stuck
     a deadly spear.  The Earl was the better pleased:
     laughed then this great man of spirit, thanking the Creator
      for
     the day's work which the Lord had given him.
     And so then another warrior a spear from the other side
150  flew out of hand, which deeply struck
     through the noble Aethelred's retainer.
     To him by his side stood a young man not fully grown,
     a youth on the battlefield, who valiantly
     pulled out of this warrior the bloody spear,
155  Wulfstan's child, Wulfmaer the younger;
     and so with blinding speed came the shaft in reply.
     The spear penetrated, for that who on the Earth now lay
     among his people, the one who had sorely pierced.
     Went then armed a man to this Earl;
160  he desirous of this warrior's belongings to take off with,
     booty and rings and an ornamental sword.
          Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath
     broad and bright of blade, and then struck the man's coat of
     mail.
     But too soon he was prevented by a certain sea-scavenger,
165  and then the Earl's arm was wounded.
     Fall then to the ground with his gold-hilted sword:
     his grip unable to hold  the heavy sword,
     or wield the weapon.  Then still uttered those words
     of the grey-haired warrior, encouraging the younger warriors,
170  bidding to advance stoutly together.
     Not could he on his feet any longer stand firmly up,
     and so he looked to heaven:
     "I thank you, Lord of my people,
     all the joys which I on this world have experienced.
175       "Now I ask, oh merciful Creator, the greatest hope
     that to you my spirit shall be granted salvation
     that my soul to thee be permitted to journey
     and into your power, King of Angels,
     with peace I depart.  I only beseech that
180  the fiends of hell shall not be permitted to harm me."
          Then he was slain by the heathen warriors;
     and both of those warriors which by him stood,
     Aelfnoth and Wulmaer were each slain,
     close by their lord did they give up their lives.
185       Then turned away from battle those that would not stay:
     there went Odda's child first to flight,
     Godric fled from the battle, and the noble abandoned
     the one which had often given him many a horse.
     He leapt upon the mount of the steed which had once been his
       lord's,
190  on those trappings of which he was not fit,
     he and with his brothers both galloped away,
     Godwine and Godwig not caring for battle,
     but turned away from this battlefield and to the forest fled,
     seeking a place of safety and to protect their lives,
195  and many more men than what is right were there,
     then if they had acted deservingly and all remembered
     he, who had to them, all benefits did make.
     Thus had Offa on that day first said
     at the meeting place, there at the council,
200  that there would be boldly many a boastful speech
     which at the time of stress would not endure.
          So now was laid low the Chief of this army,
     Aethelred's Earl.  All saw those
     sharers of the hearth that their lord lay slain.
205  But then there advanced onward those splendid retainers,
     undaunted men hastening eagerly:
     they desired all one of two things,
     to leave life or else to avenge their dear lord.
          And so exhorting them to advance was the child of
       Aelfrices,
210  a warrior young in winters whose words spoke,
     Aelfwine then said, he in valiant talk:
     "Remember the speeches which we had often at mead spoken,
     that we on the bench had loudly uttered vows,
     warriors in the hall, concerning bitter strife:
215  Now may we prove who is truly valiant!
     I am willing that my royal descent be made known to all men,
     that I was of Mercian blood greatly kindred;
     my grandfather was named Ealhelm,
     a wise alderman and very prosperous.
220  Not shall me these people's liegeman reproach
     that I of this army am willing to depart from,
     a homeland seek, now that my lord lies slain
     and hewn down in battle.  Mine is that sorrow greatest:
     he was both my kinsman and my lord."
225  Then he advanced onward, remembering with hostility,
     then he with spear-point pierced one
     pirate in their host, and to the ground lie slain
     killed with the weapon.  He began then to exhorted his
     comrades,
     friends and compatriots, that they advance onward.
230  Offa spoke, shaking his ashen spear:
     "Lo, thou Aelfwine, have your words thus reminded
     us liegemen to our allegiance.  Now our people's protector
       lies slain,
     the Earl is on the Earth, and to us all is our need
     that one another encourage each other
235  warriors to battle, while with weapons we are able
     to have and grasp, the hard blade,
     the spear and the good sword.  To us has Godric,
     that cowardly sun of Odda, all betrayed.
     Many men believed, then when he rode on the horse,
240  on that splendid steed, that it was our lord.
     Because of that happening here on the battlefield the people
       scattered,
     the wall of shields breaking asunder.  Shame on that action,
     for because of him thus many a man was caused to flee!"
     Leofsunu spoke and his linden shield was raised,
245  the board to defense; this warrior replied:
          "I that swear, that from here I will not
     flee a foot's space, as my desire is to advance further,
     avenge in battle-strife my lord and friend.
     I have no desire among Sturmere's unyielding heroes
250  to reproach my word, now that my patron has perished,
     that I now lordless go on a homeward journey,
     having turned away from battle, but rather I shall be taken by
      weapons,
     either spear or iron."  Wrathfully he advanced,
     fighting resolutely, for he despised flight.
255  Dunnere then said, brandishing his spear,
     a simple yeoman calling out to the entire shore,
     exhorting that each warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:
     "One cannot retreat who intends vengeance
     for our lord of the host, if their lives they care not for."
260  So then they pressed forward, caring not about their lives.
     Then began these retainers to fiercely fight,
     ferocious warriors armed with spears, and praying to God
     that they might avenge their lord and patron
     and on their enemy death make.
265  Thus the hostage himself willingly helped;
     he was a Northumbrian of a brave family,
     Ecglaf's child; he was named Aescferth.
     He hesitated not at the play of battle,
     but shot forward many arrows;
270  here striking a shield, there cutting down a warrior,
     at almost every moment giving out some wound,
     all the while with his weapon he would wield.
          Yet still at the battle front stood Eadweard the tall
     ready and eager, speaking vaunting words
275  that he would not flee a foot's ground,
     or turn away back to the bank, then leave his superior where
      he lay.
     He broke through that wall of shields and among the warriors
      fought,
     until his bounteous lord upon those sea-men
     did worthily avenge, and he on the battlefield lie slain.
280       So did Aetheric, noble comrade,
     press forward and eager to advance fight resolutely,
     Sibyrht's brother and very many others;
     splitting the enemy's shields, valiantly they defended
      themselves.
     Rang the shield rims, and sang the corselets of mail
285  a certain terrible dirge.  Then at the battle's height
     Offa a sea-farer sent to the Earth dead,
     and there Gadd's kinsman was laid low to the ground:
     soon it was at battle that Offa was hewn down.
     He had however accomplished that vow to his lord
290  that he had uttered before to his giver of rings,
     that either they both ride to the fortified
     home unhurt or else perish fighting
     on the battlefield and die of their wounds.
     He lay slain nobly near the lord of his people.
295  Then it happened that the shields broke through.  The sea-
     warriors advanced,
     to battle enraged.  Spear often pierced
     the doomed houses of life.  Onward then advanced Wistan,
     Thurhstan's son, to these warriors fought.
     He was among the throng and slew three,
300  before Wigelm's child lay slain in battle.
     There was severe combat.  Stood firm
     did these warriors in battle.  Warriors perished
     exhausted by their wounds.  The slain fell dead to the Earth.
          Oswold and Eadwold all this time,
305  both of these brothers encouraged the soldiers,
     their beloved kinsman they would exhort through words
     that they needed to endure
     without weakening and make use of their weapons.
          Byrhtwold spoke, shield raised aloft --
310  he was an old loyal retainer -- and brandished his spear;
     he very boldly commanded the warriors:
     "Our hearts must grow resolute, our courage more valiant,
     our spirits must be greater, though our strength grows less.
     Here lies our Lord all hewn down,
315  goodly he lies in the dust.  A kinsman mourns
     that who now from this battle-play thinks to turn away.
     I am advanced in years.  I do not desire to be taken away,
     but I by my liege Lord,
     by that favorite of men I intend to lie."
320  So then did Aethelgar's child enbolden them all,
     Godric to battle.  Often he sent forth spears,
     deadly shaft sped away onto the Vikings;
     thus he on this people went out in front of battle,
     cutting down and smiting, until he too on the battlefield
      perished.
325  This was not that Godric who from the battle had flown away...