The Battle of Maldon

Manuscript: British Library, MS Cotton Otho A.xii (destroyed by fire in 1731). The printed text of Thomas Hearne (1726) remained until recently the only known source for the poem. Ca. 1935, a transcript of the Cotton MS by John Elphinston was found in Oxford, Bodleian MS Rawlinson B 203. The date of the composition is uncertain, but on linguistic evidence Scragg places the poem as we have it in the late tenth or early eleventh century (28). Editions: Dobbie, Elliot Van Kirk, ed. The Anglo-Saxon Minor Poems. ASPR 6. New York: Columbia UP, 1942. Scragg, D. G., ed. The Battle of Maldon. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1981. For the purpose of reviewing earlier criticism of the poem, E. V. Gordon's 1937 edition, republished in 1976 with a supplement by Scragg, is most helpful.

Hyperlinks to annotations are added in-line in the text, in bolded brackets. See also my notes on The Battle of Maldon.

Text

… would be broken. [ 1 ]

Then he commanded each young man

To leave his horse, to drive it far off,

and to go forth, with mind turned

to strong hands and good thoughts.5

Then Offa’s kinsman first discovered

that the great earl suffered no slackness;

he let from his hand, then, loved one fly,

hawk to the holt, and he stepped to battle. [ 2 ]

So one could know that the lad wished not10

to weaken in war, when he seized weapons.

And as for him, Eadric would follow his prince,

his lord to the fight; he bore forth, then,

spear to the battle. He had good thought

as long as he with hands could hold [ 3 ]15

board [ 4 ] and bright sword: his boast he performed

when to the fight he came with his lord. [ 5 ]

Then Byrhtnoth began to array men there,

rode and gave counsel, taught warriors

how they must stand and that stead [ 6 ] hold,20

bade them their round-shields rightly hold

fast with hands, not at all frightened.

When he had fairly arrayed that folk,

he dismounted among them where it most pleased him,

where he knew his hearth-band [ 7 ] most loyal.25

Then on the bank stood a Viking messenger,

called out stoutly, spoke with words,

boastfully [ 8 ] brought the seafarers’ errand

to that land’s earl where he stood on shore:

“Seamen sent me quickly to you,30

ordered me tell you to send rings at once,

wealth for defense: better for all of you

that you with tribute this spear-rush forgo [ 9 ]

than that we share so bitter a war.

Nor need we kill each other if you perform it;35

for gold we will fasten a truce with you.

If you determine it, the mightiest here,

that you for your people ransom will pay –

give to the seamen at their own choosing

wealth for a truce and take peace from us – 40

we with that payment shall to our ships,

on ocean fare, hold peace with you.”

Byrhtnoth spoke, lifted shield,

shook slender ash-spear, with words spoke,

angry and one-minded gave him answer:45

“Hear you, seafarer, what this folk says?

Spears will they give you, ash-spears as tribute,

poisonous point, old sword –

an armor-tax useless to you in war.

Seamen’s messenger, bear word back again;50

tell your people much loathlier tale:

that here stands a good [ 10 ] earl with his war-band,

who will defend this homeland,

Æthelred’s land, land of my prince,

folk and fold. [ 11 ] At battle, now,55

heathen must fall. Too shameful it seems

that you, unfought, should go to ship

bearing our wealth, now that thus far

you have come into our land.

Not so softly shall you carry off riches:60

point must, and edge, reconcile us first,

grim battle-play, before we give tribute.”

He bade them take shield then, go

so that warriors all stood on the bank.

One band could not to the other for water:65

there came flowing the flood after ebb-tide;

streams locked. Too long it seemed

till they might bear spears together.

With tumult [ 12 ] they stood along Pante’s stream,

the van of the East-Saxons and the ash-army [ 13 ];70

nor might any bring harm to the other,

but those who through flane-flight [ 14 ] took death.

The flood went out. The seamen stood ready,

many a Viking, eager for war.

Then bade men’s protector to hold the bridge75

a war-hardened hero – he was called Wulfstan –

who with his spear slew the first man

who most boldly there on the bridge stepped.

There with Wulfstan stood warriors unfrightened,

Ælfere and Maccus, brave twain,80

who would not at the ford flight work,

but fast against fiends defended themselves,

the while they could wield weapons.

When they perceived and saw clearly

that they found the bridge-wards there bitter,85

those loathly strangers [ 15 ] began to use guile,

asked for free landing, passage to shore,

to fare over the ford leading foot-troops.

Then the earl for his arrogance [ 16 ]

left too much land [ 17 ] to a hostile people.90

Then over cold water Byrhthelm’s son

began to call (men listened):

“Now you have room: come quickly to us,

warriors to war. God alone knows

who may master this battlefield.” [ 18 ]95

Slaughter-wolves waded then, heeded not water;

the Viking band, west over Pante,

over bright water, bore their shields;

seamen to land linden [ 19 ] bore.

There against anger [ 20 ] Byrhtnoth stood ready,100

surrounded by warriors. He bade them with shields

build the battle-hedge, hold that troop

fast against foes. Then was the fight near,

glory in battle. The time had come

when fey men must fall there.105

Clamor was raised there. Ravens circled,

eagles, eager for carrion. [ 21 ] There was uproar on earth.

From hands then they released file-hard spears;

ground spears [,grim ones,] flew. [ 22 ]

Bows were busy; shield took spear-point.110

Bitter that battle-rush! Warriors fell;

on either hand young men lay.

Wounded was Wulfmaer, chose slaughter-bed,

Byrhtnoth’s kinsman; he was with swords,

his sister-son, badly hewn.115

There to the Vikings requital was given:

I heard that Eadweard slew one

fiercely with sword, withheld not its swinging,

that at his feet a fey warrior fell;

for that his lord thanked him,120

his bower-thegn, when he could.

So the stout-thinkers stood firm,

young men at battle, eagerly vied

who with spear-point soonest might

in fey man life conquer there,125

warrior with weapons. Slain fell on earth.

Steadfast they stood. Byrhtnoth directed them,

bade each young man think on the battle,

who against Danes would win glory in fight.

Then one strode, battle-hard, lifted his weapon,130

his shield as defense, and against that man stepped.

So the earl moved toward the churl:

either to other evil intended.

Then hurled the sea-warrior a southern spear [ 23 ]

so that wounded was warrior’s lord.135

He shoved then with shield so the shaft burst –

the spear broke and sprang back.

Enraged was that warrior: he with spear stung

the proud Viking who gave him the wound.

Wise was that fyrd-warrior [ 24 ]: he let his spear wade140

through the youth’s neck, hand guided it,

so that it reached life in the ravager.

Then he another speedily shot

so that the byrnie burst; he was wounded in breast

through the ring-locked mail; in him at heart stood145

poisoned point. The earl was the blither:

the brave man laughed then, said thanks to Metod [ 25 ]

for the day-work God gave him.

Then a certain warrior let a hand-dart

fly from his hand, so that it went forth150

through that noble, Æthelred’s thegn.

By his side stood an ungrown youth,

a lad in the battle, who full valiantly

drew from the man the bloody spear,

Wulfstan’s son, Wulfmaer the Young.155

He let tempered shaft fare back again:

the point sank in so he on earth lay

who had his lord so grievously reached.

An armed man then went to the earl:

he wished to fetch wealth of that warrior – 160

spoil and rings and adorned sword.

Then Byrhtnoth drew his bill [ 26 ] from its sheath,

broad and bright-edged, and struck against byrnie.

Too quickly one of the seamen stopped him

when he marred the earl’s arm.165

Then to the ground fell the fallow-hilt sword,

nor could he hold hard blade,

wield weapon. Then yet this word spoke

that hoar battler, encouraged the young men,

bade them go forth with good company.170

He could not stand fast on foot any longer;

he looked to the heavens [ 27 ]:

“I thank thee, Wielder of peoples,

for all those joys I had in the world.

Now have I, mild Measurer, most need175

that you grant to my spirit goodness,

that my soul may journey now to thee,

into thy wielding, Lord of the angels,

depart in peace. I am entreating thee

that no hell-scathers harm it.”180

Then heathen men hewed him,

and the men who had stood by him,

Ælfnoth and Wulfmaer, both lay there,

when close to their lord they their lives gave.

Then they turned from battle who wished not to be there:185

there were Odda’s sons first in flight:

Godric turned from battle and left that good one

who many a horse often gave him.

He leapt on a horse which his lord owned,

on those trappings where he had no right,190

and his brothers both ran with him,

Godwin and Godwig, heeded not battle

but turned from that war and the woods sought,

fled to that fastness, their lives saved,

and more men than was fitting195

if they all remembered those favors

that he for their profit had done.

So Offa earlier that day had said to him

in the methel-stead, [ 28 ] when he held moot, [ 29 ]

that many spoke boldly there200

who after, at need, would not endure.

Then was the folk’s prince fallen,

Æthelred’s earl. All saw there,

his hearth-companions, that their lord lay. [ 30 ]

Then valiant thegns went forth there,205

men undaunted eagerly hastened:

they all wished, then, one of two things –

to leave life or loved one avenge.

So the son of Ælfric boldened them forth,

winter-young warrior words spoke,210

Ælfwine spoke then, valiantly said:

“Remember the speeches we spoke at mead,

when we our boast on the bench raised,

heroes in hall about hard fight:

now I may test who is keen. [ 31 ]215

I will make my nobility known to all,

that I was of great kin among Mercians;

my old-father [ 32 ] Ealhhelm was called,

wise aldorman, [ 33 ] world-happy.

Nor among the people shall thegns blame me220

that I from this fyrd wish to flee,

seek home, now that my prince lies

hewn at the fight. That harm is most to me:

he was both my kin and my lord.”

Then he went forth, mindful of battle,225

with spear-point pierced one,

a seaman among the folk, that he on fold lay,

destroyed with his weapon. His friends he exhorted,

friends and companions, that they go forth.

Offa answered, shook ash-wood:230

“Indeed, you, Ælfwine, have all thegns

exhorted at need. [ 34 ] Now that our lord lies,

earl on earth, to all of us need is

that each of us embolden the other,

warrior to war, the while he weapon may235

have yet and hold, hard blade,

spear and good sword. Us Godric has,

Odda’s craven son, betrayed altogether.

When he on horse rode, on proud steed,

too many men thought that it was our lord.240

Therefore here on field the folk was divided,

shield-defense broken. Fail his beginning! [ 35 ]

since he so many men put to flight.”

Leofsunu spoke and his linden raised,

shield for safety; to Offa he said:245

“I vow it, that hence I will not

flee a foot’s length, but will advance,

avenge in strife my lord-friend.

Steadfast heroes need not reproach me

with words around Sturmere, now my friend fell, [ 36 ]250

that I journeyed home lordless,

turned from the battle; but weapon must take me,

spear-point and iron.” He went full angry,

fought stoutly, flight he rejected.

Dunnere spoke then, brandished a dart,255

the humble churl [ 37 ] over all called,

bade that each man avenge Byrhtnoth:

“He may not flinch, who thinks to avenge

his lord among folk, nor for fear mourn.”

Then they went forth, recked nothing of fear.260

Household retainers began to fight stoutly,

fierce spear-bearers, and prayed God

they might avenge their lord-friend,

and a fall [ 38 ] work on their foes.

The hostage began eagerly helping them;265

he was of brave kin among the Northumbrians,

Ecglaf’s son; Æscferth was name to him.

He flinched not at battle-play,

but again and again shot forth arrow:

sometimes he shot against shield, sometimes a man tore;270

ever and anon he inflicted some wound

while he could weapons wield.

Then yet in the van stood Eadweard the Long,

ready and eager, vaunting words spoke,

that he would not flee a foot-space of land,275

bend at all back when his better lay slain.

He broke the shield-wall and fought with those warriors,

until on those seamen his wealth-giver

he worthily wreaked, before he with the slain lay.

So did Ætheric, noble companion,280

eager and forth-yearning, fought earnestly, [ 39 ]

Sigebyrht’s brother, and many others,

clove cellod [ 40 ] shield, keenly defended them.

Shield’s rim burst, and the byrnie sang

a terrible song. [ 41 ] Then Offa at battle285

struck the seaman, that he on earth fell,

and there Gadda’s kinsman sought ground.

Quickly at fight Offa was hewn;

he had, though, furthered what he promised his lord,

as he boasted before with his ring-giver,290

that they should both into burg [ 42 ] ride

hale [ 43 ] home or in battle fall,

on the corpse-field with wounds perish.

He lay thegnly, his lord near.

Then there was shield’s clash. [ 44 ] Seamen advanced,295

burning with battle-rage. Spear often pierced through

a fey one’s soul-house. Forth then went Wistan,

Thurstan’s son, fought against warriors.

He was in throng the bane of three of them,

before Wig(h)elm’s son lay slain with him. 300

There was a harsh meeting. They stood fast,

warriors in conflict. Warriors fell,

weary with wounds. The slain fell on earth.

Oswold and Eadwold all the while,

both those brothers, strengthened the men,305

with words bade their kin-friends

that they should endure at need,

unweakly use weapons.

Byrhtwold spoke, raised his shield –

he was an old retainer – shook his ash-spear;310

full boldly he taught warriors:

“Thought must be the harder, heart be the keener,

mind must be the greater, while our strength lessens. [ 45 ]

Here lies our prince all hewn,

good one on grit. He may always mourn315

who from this war-play thinks now to turn.

My life is old [ 46 ]: I will not away;

but I myself beside my lord,

by so loved a man, think to lie.”

So Æthelgar’s son emboldened them all,320

Godric to battle. Often he let spear,

slaughter-spear, speed into those Vikings;

so among folk he went first,

hewed and humbled, [ 47 ] until he in fight fell.

(That was not the Godric who fled from battle.)325

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Translation copyright © 1982, Jonathan A. Glenn. All rights reserved.

Annotations

[ 1 ] We are missing up to three leaves at the beginning of the poem and something like one leaf at the end. [Return to text]

[ 2 ] battle. The poem uses a variety of words – some evidently full synonyms, others indicating shades of meaning – for war/battle/fight: beadu, beaduræs, (ge)feoht, garræs, guðplega, hild, wig, wigplega, (ge)win. Clearly NE does not offer this range of sound and subtle meaning difference. [Return to text]

[ 3 ] as long … hold. This formula (and variations of it) functions throughout the poem, indicating the warriors’ complete devotion to lord and land. [Return to text]

[ 4 ] board. OE bord is one of several words used in the poem for ‘shield.’ [Return to text]

[ 5 ] when … lord. Literally, “when he had to fight before his lord,” i.e., was required by law to perform military service. [Return to text]

[ 6 ] stead. As in homestead; the word means ‘place.’ [Return to text]

[ 7 ] hearth-band. OE heorðwerod ‘the body of household retainers,’ i.e., his personal followers as distinguished from the folc (see Scragg 21–22 for a qualification of the importance of this distinction). [Return to text]

[ 8 ] boastfully. OE on beot may also mean ‘threateningly.’ [Return to text]

[ 9 ] forgo. OE forgyldon ‘foryield’ (for which see the OED) or ‘buy off.’ [Return to text]

[ 10 ] good. This translates OE unforcuð ‘reputable, honorable, noble, brave, undisgraced.’ [Return to text]

[ 11 ] fold. OE folde ‘earth, land.’ [Return to text]

[ 12 ] tumult. Scragg glosses this ‘array, military force.’ [Return to text]

[ 13 ] ash-army. Of the OE æschere, here translated literally, Gordon notes: “the here or raiding force from the æscas, distinctively Scandinavian ships built of ash wood. The OE word is an anglicization of ON askr. The askr was the usual Scandinavian warship….” In OE poetry the word æsc most frequently means ‘ash(-spear).’ [Return to text]

[ 14 ] flane-flight. OE flanes flyht ‘flight of an arrow.’ [Return to text]

[ 15 ] loathly strangers. OE laðe gystas ‘loathed guests.’ [Return to text]

[ 16 ] arrogance. OE ofermod, the most discussed word in the poem. A great deal of critical discussion of the poem in the past fifty years or so has been devoted to arguing whether the poem views Byrhtnoth as blameworthy for his action. [Return to text]

[ 17 ] too much land. OE landes to fela. Tolkien argued that this meant that Byrhtnoth should have yielded no land at all to the Vikings. [Return to text]

[ 18 ] battlefield. OE wælstowe ‘corpse-place.’ [Return to text]

[ 19 ] linden. Shields were often made of linden wood. OE poetry often designates items by synecdoche: æsc for spears made of ash wood, lind for shields made of linden wood, rond for round shields, etc. [Return to text]

[ 20 ] anger. OE gramum ‘fierce, angry (ones).’ [Return to text]

[ 21 ] Ravens … carrion. This is the traditional Birds (or Beasts) of Battle Motif. Frequently a wulf is mentioned as well. See Beowulf 3024–27. [Return to text]

[ 22 ] ground … flew. The line is defective in the original. Editors have supplied grimme ‘grim’ at the beginning of the first half-line for metrical reasons. [Return to text]

[ 23 ] southern spear. I.e., of southern (English or French) make (Gordon). [Return to text]

[ 24 ] fyrd-warrior. The fyrd was the national levy or army, or any military expedition. [Return to text]

[ 25 ] Metod. Lit. ‘measurer’ (i.e., fate). [Return to text]

[ 26 ] bill. This is the original term here and apparently simply varies swurd. See Stone’s Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor (1924; rpt. New York: Jack Brussel, 1961) for its more exact denotation of one of the family of pole arms. [Return to text]

[ 27 ] A half-line is missing here. [Return to text]

[ 28 ] methel-stead. The term means ‘speaking place, counsel chamber.’ [Return to text]

[ 29 ] moot. OE gemot ‘meeting, council, assembly.’ [Return to text]

[ 30 ] lay. I.e., lay slain. [Return to text]

[ 31 ] keen. OE cene ‘brave.’ [Return to text]

[ 32 ] old-father. OE ealda fæder ‘grandfather.’ [Return to text]

[ 33 ] alderman. OE ealdorman designates a nobleman of the highest rank. [Return to text]

[ 34 ] at need. OE to þearfe ‘at need; for (their) good; for (this) need.’ [Return to text]

[ 35 ] Fail his beginning. OE abreoðe his angin ‘may his beginning fail,’ i.e., “may his conduct have an evil end” (Gordon). [Return to text]

[ 36 ] fell. OE gecranc, a much better (at least stronger) word than NE fell for disaster in battle. [Return to text]

[ 37 ] churl. OE ceorl ‘freeman, yeoman, peasant.’ [Return to text]

[ 38 ] fall. OE fyl ‘fall, death, destruction.’ [Return to text]

[ 39 ] earnestly. OE eornoste ‘earnestly, courageously.’ [Return to text]

[ 40 ] cellod. Nobody knows what this word means. Bosworth-Toller glosses it ‘shaped like a shield.’ [Return to text]

[ 41 ] a terrible song. OE gryreleoðe sum ‘a certain one of terrible songs.’ [Return to text]

[ 42 ] burg. OE burh. Probably Byrhtnoth’s chief residence; possibly Maldon itself (Gordon). [Return to text]

[ 43 ] hale. An adjective, as in “hale and hearty.” [Return to text]

[ 44 ] clash. OE gebræc, possibly ‘breaking.’ [Return to text]

[ 45 ] Thought … lessens. Probably the most famous lines in OE and, thus, even more difficult than others to translate satisfactorily. The OE text reads: “Hige sceal þe heardra, heorte þe cenre, / mod sceal þe mare, þe ure mægen lytlað.” [Return to text]

[ 46 ] My life is old. Lit. ‘I am old of (or as regards) life.’ [Return to text]

[ 47 ] humbled. OE hynde ‘crushed, felled, insulted, humbled.’ [Return to text]