The Battle of Maldon

A detailed Summary of The Battle of Maldon

"'Purpose shall be firmer, heart the keener, courage shall be more, as our might lessens.'"1

These famous lines from the poem The Battle of Maldon introduce a theme which depicts how Englishmen in the Middle Ages perceived life, death and what can be seen as their most prized possession of all, heroism. The idea that as strength is depleted, the combatants' hearts will grow with determination, is a theme which can still be found in today's concepts of heroism. What makes this Middle Ages definition different from that of modern times, is the way this rhetoric was consumed and practiced to it's completion. No longer was death itself to be feared, but dying without a heroic act. So strong was the attachment to this, that circumstances and perceptions were often altered to create heroes after death.

It can be understood that as the Scandinavian force's attacks on England became more frequent and severe, that the Englishman's concept of death would be altered. That is, as death became more imminent, a creation of glory in death was a needed comfort.

This ideology of putting so much merit on dying a heroe's death is illustrated throughout The Battle of Maldon. The unknown Anglo

Upon his death, some English flee the battle with their lives, as they can foresee the future. But some, left without an alternative, and perhaps disillusioned by their earl's earlier concession, continue in the losing battle:

The same can be said of the others who did not retreat. After seeing their comrades flee and without escape for themselves, they are enraged and seek revenge. They fought on because they had no other option. Thus, the glorious death the poet provides them is diminished. The circumstances invited little fame, but rather a natural reaction.

"They all desired either of two things, to leave life or avenge the man they loved."4

The slaughter wolves advanced, minded not by the water, a host of Vikings westward over the pant, over the bright water bore their shields: sailors to land brought shields of linden. Opposite stood Birhtnoth with his warriors, ready for the fierce invaders. He ordered his men to form a war-hedge with their shields and to hold the formation fast against the enemy . Now was combat near, glory in battle. The time had come for doomed men to fall." 2

Some common words found in the essay are:
Essex Maldon, Battle Maldon, Middle Ages, AD English, battle maldon, Volume Pages, create heroes, middle ages, english warriors, poet lifts, strategic position,

Approximate Word count = 1024
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Battle of Maldon

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