''The Battle of Maldon'' and ''The Canterbury Tales'' in Old/Middle English

It is always insightful to listen to any literary creation in its original language. These narrations show the intensity in ''The Battle of Maldon'' and the playful rhymes in ''The Canterbury Tales''.

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The Battle of Maldon

NARDIS TORRES
An Approach Given Where the Battle of Maldon Took Place

The ancient causeway linking Northey Island to the south bank of the Blackwater estuary just east of Maldon is considered by many to be the most likely site of the Battle of Maldon. This was fought on August 10th or 11th 991 between an English army led by the veteran ealdorman Byrhtnoth and a professional ship-borne army of Danes.

View across to Northey Island from the south bank of the Blackwater at low tide with the causeway uncovered (author's photograph, August 1991).

The entry for the year 991 in the a manuscript of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle seems to say after a raid on Ipswich the Danes were led at Maldon by the famous Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason, but this entry has almost certainly been confused with the events of 994. It seems more probable that the Danes at Maldon were led by their own king, Sweyn Forkbeard, son of King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark (builder of the Danish ring-fortresses, such as Trelleborg on Sjalland, and of the royal centre at Jelling in Jutland).

The Battle of Maldon took place on August 10^th, 991, near to Maldon beside the River Blackwater in Essex, England, during the reign of Ethelred the Unready. The Anglo-Saxons, led by Byrhtnoth, fought against a Viking invasion. The battle ended with the Anglo-Saxon’s defeat.

Arrogance, Betrayal, and Guile in “The Battle of Maldon”

“The Battle of Maldon” takes place in 991 AC. The Anglo-Saxon society, led by Byrhtnoth, tries to defend Essex from Danish Vikings who pursue possession of new land and gold. This battle is marked by fatal mistakes that the homeland warriors commit, which dooms them and favors the invaders. Despite an original advantage in the battle, the Anglo-Saxons lose because of weak leadership, a smaller resultant army, and mainly due to a serious failure to honor the Anglo-Saxon Heroic Ethos.

First, Byrhtnoth’s expected behavior as a leader is questionable. Originally, the Essex army is winning the battle because of their advantage in the river situation in which only few invaders can advance through the causeway at a time. Rather than seizing this opportunity, Byrhtnoth accepts the proposition to fight equally and allows the entire invading army into their side of the river, wasting the only chance the Essex troops have to win, while dooming the Anglo Saxons. Realizing their disadvantaged position, the Dane chieftain resorts to guile, and easily manages to manipulate the Essex leader, who foolishly accepts the challenge. Overcome by arrogance, Byrhtnoth fails to think of his men first, ignores the danger of his decision, and selfishly pursues personal glory and fame.

Then, the Vikings outnumbered the Anglo Saxon warriors. When Godrich flees riding a horse that previously belongs to Byrhtnoth, many loyal warriors assume that it is their beloved Lord who is escaping; therefore, the kinsmen follow him, diminishing homeland capacity to withhold the invaders. Only those who witness their chieftain fall dead remain in the battle, but they are significantly fewer men than Danes. Furthermore, by leaving his comrades behind in the fight after Byrhtnoth dies, Godrich severely betrays the Anglo Saxon heroic ethos; he disrespects the memory of his fallen Lord, who had given him his own horse and saddle as a symbol of appreciation and fellowship. When he is most needed, Godrich abandons the battle field, instead of staying to help avenge their Lord.

Overall, “The Battle of Maldon” illustrates how the failure to honor the Heroic Ethos at its best causes the Anglo-Saxons to lose their homeland, gold and dignity to the Danes.