In this translation I attempt torecreate “The Battle of Maldon” as faithfully as possible while roughly imitatingthe original meter and including the alliteration that both defines theAnglo-Saxon verse line and creates its unique music. Though the beginning andend have been lost, the poem is probably nearly complete. The original may beseen here: http://www8.georgetown.edu/departments/medieval/labyrinth/library/oe/texts/a9.html.

The two main heroes of the battleare easily confused because of their similar names: Byrhtnoth, who diesvaliantly at line 181, and the aged thane Byrhtwold, who makes the great heroicspeech of lines 312-319 near the end. The division of the poem into parts I andII is my addition.

 Although the Battle of Maldon did not occur exactly asdescribed in this eulogistic poem, the Anglo-SaxonChronicle entry for year 991 confirms that it was a historical event, and awill of 998 in which the son of Wulfstan (line 75) deeds land in this regionadds to the authenticity of this group of warriors. The situation of theopposing forces is significant: the Vikings have landed on an island in themouth of the Blackwater River (Old English Panta in the poem), and the Anglo-Saxonsare defending their homeland on the opposite shore; a tidal causeway links theirtwo positions. For clarity I have expanded names and pronouns in the Chronicle entry below and in the poem.

–Marijane Osborn, Davis, 2013

                                                *    *    *

From The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (A):

991.  In this year Olaf Tryggvason came with 93 ships toFolkestone, and ravaged round about it, and then from there went to Sandwich,and so from there to Ipswich, and overran it all, and so to Maldon. AndEaldorman Byrhtnoth came against him there with his army and fought againsthim; and the Norsemen killed the ealdorman there and had control of the field.And afterwards peace was made with them, and the king [Athelred, 979-1016]stood sponsor to Olaf later at his confirmation.

Part I: Byrhtnoth

                                            …would be broken.

            Hetold his young troops to turn loose their horses,

            drivethem far off, and on foot proceed,

            toattend to their hands and be high of courage.

 5         WhenOffa’s kinsman discovered Byrhtnoth

            wouldbrook no nonsense, that boy stretched out

            hishand to let his dear hawk fly off

            tothe woods, and forth to the fray he strode,

            thusletting them know that never would he care

10        tobe thought a weakling when he took up weapons

            ofwar.  And Eadric wanted to stand

            byhis leader too; he leapt to bear

            hisspear into battle. Splendid was his courage!

            Aslong as he held in his hands both shield

15        andsword, he did what he had sworn to,

            goinginto the fight in front of his lord.

            ThenByrhtnoth marshaled his men, and rode

            amongthem, giving them good advice,

            instructingthem where they should stand and hold

20        theirground, and the right way to raise their shields

            firmlyin their fists, fearing nothing!

            Oncehis warriors were well-positioned,

Byrhtnothdismounted where most he liked

            tobe, with the thanes he thought most loyal.

25        Thenthere came a shout from the shore across

            theriver, the voice of the Vikings’ herald

            whostood there, announcing with stern threats

            hiserrand to the earl on the other bank:

            “Boldseamen have sent me to you

30        totell you to send them treasure at once

            tobuy them off. It’s better for you

            toturn this attack with tribute, than make us

            sharetogether such grim battle!

            Weneed not kill each other – if you’re quick.

35        We’llgrant you truce for a tribute in gold!                            

            Ifyou in command here make the decision

            toransom your people, you can pay for this

            byoffering these seamen all they require

            infee, taking from us frith in exchange,                                   ONfrið: pledged peace

40        and withthat tribute we’ll return to our ships

            andput to sea, keeping peace with you.”

            Byrhtnothraised his bright shield

            andshook his spear in sharp reply,

            angryand resolute, answering thus:

45        “Canyou hear, pirate, what my people say?

            They’llwilling give you war-gear as tribute:

            deadlyspear-points and steel blades –

            notso useful to you in battle!

            Goback to advise your Vikings of this,

50        messenger– a tale that will much displease them:

            Anearl, intrepid with his troops, is standing

            firmlyprepared to defend this place,

            therealm of Athelred, my prince,

            hisfolk and homesteads. And heathens shall fall

55        shattered,for methinks it would shame us if you

            returnedto your ships, taking our tribute

            unfought,when from so far you have come

            hitherto our shores. You shall not so lightly

            gosailing off with our good treasure.

60        Peacewill be made with point and edge

            inwarplay most grim, before we give tribute!”

            Thenhe commanded his men to take

            theirstand on the shore with shields at the ready.

            Butwater prevented advance of any

65        army.After the ebb-tide came

            theflood, and currents that flowed around

            theisland locked. Too long it seemed

            beforethey could get at their foes with spears.

            Theystood on the Panta in proud array,

            theEast-Saxon front and the ash-ship troops,                      

70        andneither could do more than annoy the other

            witha looping javelin’s lucky hit.

            Thefloodtide went out. The foreigners stood ready

            andeagerly waiting for war. The leader

            ofheroes commanded a man to hold

75        theford – a warrior, Wulfstan by name,

            ofvaliant stock, the son of Ceola.     

            Hehurled his spear and struck down the first

            foewho dared to set foot on that bridge.

            Twowarriors stood with Wulfstan, Alfhere

80        andMaccus, a brave pair of men who scorned

            toflee from that ford, and firmly they guarded

            itsentrance against the enemy

            foras long as they could lunge with weapons.

            TheVikings, those uninvited guests,

85        sawthey had clearly encountered determined

            guardsand began to negotiate.

            Theyasked permission to make their way

            acrossthat ford with a complement

            oftroops. Byrhtnoth too bravely agreed

90        topermit passage to that menacing host.

            Hecalled out over the cold water

            andboth armies listened to Byrhthelm’s son:

            “Theway is open. Warriors, come quickly

            togrips with us. God alone knows

95        whowill finally hold the field!”

            Westover the Panta those wolves of carnage

            wadedunbothered by the water, bearing

            acrossthat shining current their shields

            ofyellow linden. To land they came,

100      and valiantagainst the Vikings stood

            Byrhtnothwith his men. He bade them raise

            ahedge of shields and hold it fast

            againstthe foe. Fighting was imminent,

            honorin war. The hour had come

105      when fated menshould fall in battle.

            Ashout was raised. Ravens and hungry

            eagleshovered. Howls rose from the land.

            Menlet fly their file-hard spears,

            grimlysharpened, from their gripping fists.

110      Bows were shotand shields took the arrows.

            Hardwas that onslaught. Heroes fell

            amongboth armies. Men lay dying.

            Wulfmærwas bleeding; Byrhtnoth’s sister’s

            sonwould take up position now

115      among the deadmen cut down by a sword.

            TheVikings were paid their price for that!

            Iheard that Edward, single-handed,

            struckso hard, withholding nothing,

            thata doomed man went down at his feet.

120      For that, hisleader, when later he had

            thechance, gave his chamberlain thanks.

            Thus,strong of purpose, they all stood firm.

            Eachstout-hearted warrior strove to be first

            inthrusting where blows would best strike home,

125      where weaponsmight, among the doomed,

            cutlife short.  Corpses fell to earth.

            Steadfastthey stood, incited by Byrhtnoth.

            Hetold each one who wished to win glory

            toturn his mind entirely to battle.

130      Then came awarrior, with weapon and shield

            heldhigh, running straight to strike at him,

            andByrhtnoth, single-minded, made for the Dane.

            Eachwas intent on the other’s harm.

            Theseaman threw a spear of southern make

135      so that itwounded the warriors’ leader –

            whoshoved back with his shield. The shaft broke,

            andthe Dane’s spearhead sprang away.

            Thenraging Byrhtnoth ran with his lance

            atthe glittering Viking who gave him that wound,

140      deftly forcinghis Frankish spear

            throughthe warrior’s neck, and with his hand

            guidingit in till it got at his life.

            Next,he hastily hurled it at another

            andburst his chainmail byrnie, for the spear

145      had struck in hisbreast. He stabbed that point

            Tothe heart, fatally. Then, feeling better,

            helaughed grimly and gave God thanks

            forthe feats He had let him perform that day.

            Acertain Swede then swung his hand

150      to fling a spearthat furrowed deeply

            throughByrhtnoth, Athelred’s excellent thane.

            Besidehim was standing a strapping youth,

            amere boy in battle, who bravely pulled

            thebloody spear from Byrhtnoth’s flesh,

155      and then youngWulfmaer, Wulfstan’s son,

            hurledthat spear back again, so hard

            andstraight, that its point struck to the ground

            theman whose blow had maimed his lord.

            Thena warrior in armor went toward Byrhtnoth

160      intending to takehis treasure, to strip him

            ofbooty in rings and bright-wrought sword,

            butByrhtnoth swept that broad and gleaming

            bladefrom its sheath and shoved it through

            theman’s bright byrnie. But much too quickly

165      another lungedthen, lashed at his arm,

            sothat to the ground that golden sword

            fell,for his hand could no longer hold it,

            couldwield no more weapons. Then the warrior spoke;

            silver-hairedByrhtnoth emboldened his men.

170      He told them toadvance on the Vikings together

            withtheir courage high — but he could not

            staylong on his feet. He looked toward heaven

            andsaid, “I thank Thee for the things I have known,

            Ogenerous Ruler, the joys of this world.

175      But now Iurgently need, O Lord,

            foryou to grant this grace to my soul:

            itsright to fare to your realm, to journey

            intoyour power, O Prince of angels,

            inpeace, so do not, I pray you, allow

180      these scathersfrom Hell to harm my spirit!”

            Thenheathen warriors hacked him down

            togetherwith the two who had taken their stand

            withhim. Alfnoth and Wulfmar both

            gaveup their lives at their lord’s side.

                        PartII: The Aftermath

185      Then some fledwho preferred not to be there.

            Thefirst to desert were the sons of Offa.

            Turninghis back on battle, on the man

            Whohad made him the gift of many a warhorse,

            Godricleapt on his lord’s own steed,

190      riding in asaddle he had no right to,

            andwith him Godwin and Godwig ran

            awayfrom the battle. The brothers fled

            thefield of combat, seeking cover

            amongthe trees to protect their lives.

195      Many turned awaythere, more than was fitting

            hadthey recalled all the courtesies

            andgifts that Byrhtnoth had given them.

            Indeed,earlier that day in council,

            Offahad remarked that many warriors

200      were making bravespeeches who might not show

            suchcourage when it was required of them.

            Nowfallen lay the leader of the people,

            Athelred’searl. When all his companions

            sawhow their lord was lying slain,

205      those proudthanes went thronging forth

            undauntedand eager to do their best.

            Eachone wanted one of two things:

            toavenge his dear lord or lay down his life.

Thus did Alfine, son of Alfric,

210      a man young inwinters, in words like this,

inspire the warriors to courage with his speech:

“Remember the times when we spoke at mead

and vowed on the benches to do our best?

Heroes in the hall, we spoke of hard fighting—

215      Whoever is bravecan prove it now!

            Ispeak as a man of a mighty lineage,

            comingfrom a noble kindred of Mercia:

            mygrandfather Ealdhelm was an alderman

            wiseand successful in the world’s ways.

220      None of thethanes in my family will need

            totaunt me for wanting to turn from this fight

            orlight out  for home with my lordlying dead

            inbattle. For me, that would be the worst

            ofcrimes: he was both my kinsman and my lord.”

225      Then Alfwine wentforth, his mind on fighting,

            andat once with his spear he wounded one

of those Vikings so that the invader fell,

killed by that weapon. Then he called to his friends

and comrades-in-arms to come join the fray.

230      Offa spoke upthen, shaking his spear:

            “Alfwine,your words have encouraged all

            ofour thanes, as was needed, for now that our lord

            liesdead, there is need for us all to do

            thesame, and encourage each of the others

255      to fight for aslong as he is fit

            tohandle weapons, to wield his sword

            orguide a spear. Godric, the cowardly

            sonof Odda, has betrayed us all,

            formany assumed, when he mounted that steed,

240      that proudwarhorse, that it was our lord,

            sothat here on the field our forces were sundered,

            theshield-fortress broken. May shame be his downfall

            forcausing so many of our men to flee.”

            Leofsunu,raising the linden shield

245      that protected hisbody, replied to Odda:

            “Iswore that I would not swerve from here

            evena foot’s space. But now I’ll go farther:

            I’llavenge my beloved lord in battle.

            Thesteadfast men of Sturmer won’t need

250      to reproach methat once my friend had perished

            I,being lordless, would light out for home,

            turnaway from this war. My weapons now

            I’lltake up instead!” He strode out, angry,

            andbravely he fought. He scorned to flee.

255      Dunnere thenspoke. He rattled his spear,

            merelya churl, he challenged them all

            loudly,bidding them avenge lord Byrhtnoth:

            “Nowmay each warrior who wants to seek

            vengeanceon the Vikings never waver in fear!”

260      Then the warriors wentforth. None wavered in fear,

            andfiercely our army began to fight.

            Grippingtheir spears, they prayed to God

            thatthey might avenge their lord on the Vikings

            andget full recompense for their dear friend.

265      Even the hostagebegan to help.

            Comingfrom a noble Northumbrian kindred,

            hisname was Ashferth, Edgelaf’s son.

            Henever flinched at all in that fighting

            butsent forth many a missive among

270      the foe –at a shield, or shooting into

            awarrior, and he kept on wounding some

            aslong as he could launch his weapon.

            Thenout in the front Long Edward stood,

            poisedand eager, repeating his vow

275      that never wouldhe flee by even a foot

            inretreat, when dead lay his treasure-giver. 

            Breakingfrom the shield wall, he bravely fought

            thoseVikings alone until he’d avenged

            hissuperior and lay down dead beside him.

280      Thus also did thenoble Atheric,

            Sibright’sbrother, eager for battle.

            Hethronged with the others thinking to cleave

            theViking’s shields, so valiant were they.

            Shield-rimsburst and the byrnies sang                       byrnies: chain-mail tunics

285      a song of terror.Then Offa attacked

            andhewed at a man, so that hard to the ground

            hecrashed, but then that kinsman of Gadd

            wassuddenly cut down himself in battle –

            havingdone, however, the deed he had sworn to.

290      He had pledged athome in the hall with his ring-giver

            thateither they’d both ride back to town

            wholemen, or wounded among the host

            wouldperish together in that place of slaughter.

            Asbefits a thane, he fell by his lord.

295      The Vikings came onthen, crashing their shields,

            berserkwith battle-rage, bludgeoning spears

            througha fated man’s life-house. Forth then in death

            wentThurstan’s son Wigstan, and three of those Vikings

            wereslain in the crush by the son of Wighelm,

300      before he too layfallen in that carnage.

            Fiercewas that meeting! In their fighting, the men

            weredauntless, though warriors were dying everywhere,

            exhaustedby their cuts. Corpses fell to earth.

            Thebrothers Oswald and Eadwold, during

305      all that havoc,exhorted their men,

            thekinsmen for whom they cared, to stand

            noblein this hour, and not to show

            weakness,but use their weapons’ potential.

            ThenByrhtwold, honored and aged, raised

310      his shiningshield, shook his spear,

            andspoke to his men these words to inspire them:

            “Mindmust be the harder, heart the bolder,

            couragethe sterner, as our strength grows less.

            Herelies our leader hacked with blades,

315      a hero in thedust. He who thinks now

            togo from battle, may he always regret it.

            Iwho am old would not ever think

            ofleaving, but here at my lord’s side,

            byhim I hold dear, I hope to die.”

320      Athelgar’s sonincited them too,

            thatsame Godric, who had often guided

            hismenacing spear among the Vikings

            asin front of the others he fiercely advanced.

            Hehewed and hacked till he had to fall.

325      That was not theGodric who galloped away  . . .                              (See line189.)