poem Battle of Maldon recorded in manuscript Cotton Otho (destroyed by fire in 1731), currently known version comes from transcript made in 1724 by John Elphinstone
historical event: Battle of Maldon A.D. 991
days of Aethelred II Unraed (b. 968?, r. 978-1016), Viking raids
August 991, force led by Norwegian commander Olaf Tryggvasson (fleet of 93 ships and 3,000 men?), attack on Ipswich, then headed for the Blackwater River estuary, landed on Northey Island, east of Maldon (Maeldun, "Hill with a Cross"). (maps and pictures)
Vikings demanding money tribute were confronted by local force of men of Essex led by ealdorman (earl) Byrhtnoth; English ranged on the mainland south of Northey Island
youth and inexperience of Byrhtnoth's troops, hastily recruited and trained on the spot
Vikings were confined to Northey Is. and the small passageway to the mainland provided by a causeway or ford present only at low tide
despite the advantageous position of the English, Byrhtnoth's ofermod (pride) led him to allow the Vikings safe passage to the mainland and to offer them battle on equal terms; strategic and tactical mistakes of Byrhtnoth; issue of Byrhtnoth's competence as a military commander
influence of traditions of English heroic poetry; literary inspiration rather than practical knowledge of the realities of war and combat; life imitating art, with disastrous consequences
unequal match of experienced Viking fighters and Byrhtnoth's young recruits
Vikings took positions on the mainland and a fierce battle ensued which ended in the death of Byrhtnoth and his most loyal thanes, rout of rest of the English
question as to the identity of the deserters; a warrior by the name of Godric, son of Odda, said to have fled on Byrhtnoth's horse thus beginning the panic and rout of the English; final lines of the poem mention another Godric who stayed in the battle; who fled? who stayed?
tragic results; economic issues behind the forced recruitment of farmers and inexperienced youths; sacrifice of life over money
payment of Danegeld, money tribute to the Danes, became common practice from that point on
Links: