The Battle of Maldon

The tale of the epic clash between the Viking invaders and Anglo Saxons on 10^th August 991 AD.

The Location

The Battle of Maldon took place in the Blackwater Estuary near the causeway leading to Northey Island.  The site is located in modern day Essex, SE of the town of Maldon and can be accessed via a footpath leading from the B1018 road.  The National Trust maintains a small car park close to the public footpath.

National Trust Parking for the Battlefield

The Historical Record

Saxon England

As the power of Rome had declined in the West and the legions were withdrawn, the Saxons had invaded, driving out the Romano-British. Now, in their turn the Saxons were being invaded by the dreaded Norsemen, capable seafarers and warriors from Scandinavia in search of easy prey amongst the often isolated and weakly defended coastal settlements. By the late 10th century Saxon rule had become weak and ineffective, encouraging the Vikings to make increasingly ambitious attacks.  They struck quickly and brutally, showing little or no mercy to women, children and even the clergy. Where possible a hastily assembled Saxon force would attempt to mount a defense. One of the most famous  encounters was the Battle of Maldon in the summer of 991.

Much of what is known today about this historically significant battle comes to us from an Old English poem written shortly after the event. The poem was possibly written to accompany a tapestry commemorating the battle which was donated to the nearby  Ely monastery by the widow of Brithnoth, Aethelflaed. Unfortunately the beginning and end of the poem have been lost to us and the remaining part of the original manuscript was destroyed by a fire in 1731. There is also a brief mention of the engagement in both the Anglo Saxon Chronicle and The Life of Saint Oswald.

The Anglo Saxon Army

The Saxon force was lead by the aged Ealdorman Brithnoth (Byrhtnoth or Beorhtnoth). Brithnoth is described as an exceptionally tall and imposing man with a mane of silver hair. His body was examined in the 18^th century and his height estimated to be 6’ 9” and while this may have been an exaggeration, he was clearly much taller than an average Saxon or Viking. At the time of the battle he was around sixty years old. Brithnoth had comprehensively repulsed a previous Viking attack four years earlier.

Statue of Brithnoth, Maldon, Essex

The backbone of any Saxon warband was comprised of Thanes, minor nobles in the service of an Ealdorman. Thanes formed the military elite of the Saxons and were, by the standards of the 10^th century, well armed and trained. Most would be equipped with a helmet, shield and chain mail armor. The principal weapon was the spear although a long sword or axe was carried for close combat.

Saxon Round Shield from the Sutton Hoo Burail

The majority of the army would have been the Fryd, local levies who were called out for limited service in times of need. These were not professional soldiers, they were farmers and craftsmen drawn from each of the local burghs. The quality of arms and armor varied considerably but most would be supplied with at least a seax, a spear and round wooden shield.

The Vikings

The Anglo Saxon Chronicle identifies Olaf Tryggvason as the leader of the 991 incursions although this may be due to confusion with a later raid.

The Vikings were certainly better equipped than their Saxon counterparts. All free born men were required to maintain arms and armor at their own expense. As with the Saxons, the main weapon was the spear combined with a round shield. Armor ranged from high quality chain mail or lamellar shirts to the leather or quilted armor of the lower status warriors.

While the majority of the Saxons were not professional soldiers, every man in the Viking longboats was there to fight whenever and wherever needed. They had not crossed the sea to build churches, raise cattle or plant crops, instead they intended to kill and rob those who did. The Saxon levies could flee the battle, hide, and live to fight another day, but the resolve of the Viking host was stiffened by the knowledge that if they became cut off from their ships they would be hunted down and killed. They had nowhere to run.

Viking Raiders

The Battle

The Viking fleet of 93 longships landed at Northey Island in the Blackwater Estuary which was called the River Pante at the time. The choice of landing allowed for easy defense and a rapid withdrawal if needed. Such a fleet would usually carry a force of just over two thousand warriors. However, as the lives of the Vikings depended on rapid access to their ships if things went badly for them, a significant number of warriors would have been deployed to protect the fleet and the approaches to the moorings.

The hurriedly raised Saxon host was deployed along the south bank of the river close to the causeway blocking the Viking route inland to Maldon (Maeldun) and the nearby settlements, and was probably no more than seven hundred strong. As the Saxons arrived the high tide prevented the armies from immediately closing for battle. Hoping to grasp the opportunity for a quick profit at no cost, the Vikings sent a messenger with an offer to withdraw in exchange for payment which Brithnoth angrily declined offering the point of his spear and the edge of his sword instead.

Once the tide receded and the causeway connecting the two forces became fordable the Vikings attempted to cross but were cut down by a small but determined Saxon force lead by a veteran warrior named Wulfstan. Frustrated, they taunted the Saxons until Brithnoth agreed to order Wulfstan to withdraw and allow them to cross to the south bank so battle could commence. This decision has been widely criticized as an act of overconfidence although in truth Brithnoth had little choice. The Vikings were highly mobile and could move up and down the coast plundering at will. The Saxons needed to bring their foes to battle and decisively beat them in order to protect their lands and families. To allow the raiders to sail away without a fight while the Saxon warband was deployed in battle order would have made no strategic sense and to the Saxon mind it would have appeared an act of cowardice.

Brithnoth was trapped as much by his own reputation as by circumstances. If Brithnoth, who had repelled the previous incursion so comprehensively a few short years ago would not fight the Vikings then who else would? To invite battle against a force almost three times as strong as his own, which was better armed and more experienced was to invite defeat. Brithnoth, as an experienced campaigner, would have been grimly aware of this even as he lead his men towards the Viking army. As they deployed for battle the Saxons would have been able to see how badly outmatched they were, but the safety of their homes and families required them to stand their ground and give their best effort. Besides, they had the famous Brithnoth at their head. He would surely lead them to victory.

Despite the disparity of numbers the Saxon shield wall held firm and several warriors gave good account of themselves. The presence of the tall white haired Brithnoth was an inspiration to his followers. Just as it began to seem that victory was within their grasp, disaster struck the Saxons as Brithnoth was wounded by a spear. Smashing the shaft with his shield, Brithnoth managed to kill his assailant with his own spear before falling to a second spear cast by another Viking. In a final act of defiance Brithnoth drew his sword and cut down an onrushing foe before dropping lifeless to the ground. Two young warriors took up position over their fallen leader and defended his body from the enemy until they too were overcome.

The death of Brithnoth caused several of the Saxons to panic and flee the field, notably the cowardly Godric who rode away to safety on Brithnoth’s distinctive warhorse. Many of the Fryd assumed that it was their leader abandoning them and that the battle was over. Others choose to stay and continue what was by now a hopeless fight in an effort to avenge Brithnoth. Loyal to their obligations, these brave Saxons charged the enemy and fought until they were finally overpowered by the mass of Vikings.

The Aftermath

Brithnoth’s headless corpse was recovered by monks from Ely and taken back for burial at the monastery before finally being laid to rest at Ely cathedral. The loss of such a powerful figure caused a collapse of confidence among the Saxons which lead to the custom of paying off the Vikings in future instead of fighting them, known as Danegeld. While there was a brief period of resistance lead by Edmund Ironside, the days of the Anglo Saxon were drawing to a close. Subsequent Viking armies were accompanied by their women and livestock. They were no longer content with hit and run raids, the Vikings intended to stay. Sensing the weakness of the Saxons they came to take possession of much of the east coast of England in the years following the defeat at Maldon.

Ely Cathedral - final resting Place of Brithnoth

By 1066, barely a single lifetime after the death of Brithnoth, the long rule of the Anglo Saxon was ended forever by the invading Normans at Hastings where the last Saxon King, Harold, lay dying surrounded by his loyal Housecarls.

It is a fitting tribute to Brithnoth and the brave Saxons who died at Maldon, that no less a person than J. R. R. Tolkein, author of the Lord of the Ring Trilogy and noted Anglo Saxon scholar was inspired to write "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son", a sequel to the battle.

Source:

The Battleof Maldon