The Battle of Maldon
The majority of Maldonians will have heard that a long time ago a battle took place on its land. Perhaps fewer will know that it ended in a crushing defeat for the natives and that it was all down to one man – the unpronounceable Byrhtnoth.
Byrhtnoth was the local ruler of Essex, one of the minor kingdoms of an Anglo-Saxon dominated England. Fervently Christian and loyal to one of England’s most disastrous kings, Ethelred the Unready, Byrhtnoth saw in the Viking invaders an unworthy challenge to both his king and God.
Byrhtnoth was the local ruler of Essex, one of the minor kingdoms of an Anglo-Saxon dominated England. Fervently Christian and loyal to one of England’s most disastrous kings, Ethelred the Unready, Byrhtnoth saw in the Viking invaders an unworthy challenge to both his king and God.
Vikings, mostly from modern Norway and Denmark, had been raiding England from the 8th century AD. Despite a Viking stronghold in the north and east of the country, the rest of England had stood firm for the best part of 100 years, united under the Kingdom of Wessex. Under these circumstances a Viking army of approximately 3,000 men stationed themselves on Northey Island in the Blackwater estury in August 991.
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Led by Olaf Tryggvasson, or perhaps Sven Forkbeard (historians can’t seem to decide), the Vikings demanded gold rings in exchange for peace and even protection. Just to be clear, protection rackets are morally indefensible and for this alone the Vikings deserved a good thrashing.
Perhaps it was this blatant display of criminality that so irked Byrhtnoth. This is understandable. Yet Byrhtnoth displayed a high degree of hypocrisy in opposing invaders per se. Let’s remember that Byrhtnoth was an Anglo-Saxon, part of those Germanic tribes who themselves invaded Britain and suppressed the native Britons a few centuries previously.
With Byrhtnoth unwilling to pay up, this argument could only be decided with spears and swords. However, the Vikings faced an unwanted obstacle in the tide. The causeway between Northey Island and the mainland was only accessible at low tide, and even then only a narrow strip of mud provided entry. This was easy for the Maldonians to defend.
Perhaps it was this blatant display of criminality that so irked Byrhtnoth. This is understandable. Yet Byrhtnoth displayed a high degree of hypocrisy in opposing invaders per se. Let’s remember that Byrhtnoth was an Anglo-Saxon, part of those Germanic tribes who themselves invaded Britain and suppressed the native Britons a few centuries previously.
With Byrhtnoth unwilling to pay up, this argument could only be decided with spears and swords. However, the Vikings faced an unwanted obstacle in the tide. The causeway between Northey Island and the mainland was only accessible at low tide, and even then only a narrow strip of mud provided entry. This was easy for the Maldonians to defend.
Embarrassed and humiliated, the Viking leader Olaf, or Sven, begged for free access to the mainland where a fair contest could take place. This is an important lesson, later learned by Sicilian Mafiosos – if you must run a protection racket then at least show a good level of competence in the services you are offering.
Undoubtedly encouraged by the Vikings’ stupidity, Byrhtnoth was salivating for a scrap and permitted them access to the lands now occupied by South House Farm – the site of the battle. |
Despite the apparent flaws in their military tactics, the Vikings numbered too many and quickly slew the Maldonians, including Byrhtnoth the Unpronounceable.
As any viewer of the WWE/WWF Royal Rumble will attest, battle scenes can be confusing places. Sensing inevitable defeat, a man name Godric sensibly fled the scene. He did so on Byrhtnoth’s distinctive horse. A number of Maldon fighters mistook Godric for the deceased Byrhtnoth and made a dash for the woods, further reducing the Maldon force.
Those who remained to fight, and die, are remembered as heroes. Confusingly, one of them also went by the name of Godric. The deserters, and their ancestors, faced a barrage of insults for their cowardice.
The victorious Vikings continued on their criminal path, finding other towns more inclined to ransom than to war. Even Ethelred, King of England, stumped of 3,330kg of silver. Predictably, the Vikings soon reneged on their promise of protection and, under Cnut the Great, conquered England in 1016.
As any viewer of the WWE/WWF Royal Rumble will attest, battle scenes can be confusing places. Sensing inevitable defeat, a man name Godric sensibly fled the scene. He did so on Byrhtnoth’s distinctive horse. A number of Maldon fighters mistook Godric for the deceased Byrhtnoth and made a dash for the woods, further reducing the Maldon force.
Those who remained to fight, and die, are remembered as heroes. Confusingly, one of them also went by the name of Godric. The deserters, and their ancestors, faced a barrage of insults for their cowardice.
The victorious Vikings continued on their criminal path, finding other towns more inclined to ransom than to war. Even Ethelred, King of England, stumped of 3,330kg of silver. Predictably, the Vikings soon reneged on their promise of protection and, under Cnut the Great, conquered England in 1016.
Much of our knowledge of the Battle of Maldon comes from an eponymous poem, thought to be written shortly after the event. The beginning and end of the poem have been lost but 325 lines remain. Not being predisposed to poetry, I have never read the story. Those interested can find a translated version online. Those, like Byrhtnoth, who fancy a challenge against all odds can read the poem in the original Anglo-Saxon, or Old English, language.
Byrhtnoth stil stalks Maldon. He can be found with a sword, carved beside the entrance of All Saints’ Church at the top of the High Street. In 2006 a statue of Byrhtnoth was erected at the end of Promenade Park. Sculptor John Doubleday’s other works include statues of Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square and Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street. Byrhtnoth is seen looking out to the nearby battle scene, perhaps thinking would might have been. |