The Battle of Maldon sometimes called Byrhtnoth’s Death

1           ............                       brocen wurde.
         Hēt þā hyssa hwæne   ·   hors forlætan,
         feor afysan,   ·   and forð gangan,
         hicgan tō handum   ·   and tō hige gōdum.,
5       Þā þæt Offan mæg   ·   ærest onfunde,
         þæt se eorl nolde   ·   yrhðo geþolian,
         hē lēt him þā of handon   ·   lēofne flēogan
         hafoc wið þæs holtes,   ·   and tō þære hilde stōp;
         Be þām man mihte oncnāwan   ·   þæt se cniht nolde
10     wācian æt þam wige,   ·   þā hē tō wæpnum fēng.  
         Eac him wolde Eadric   ·   his ealdre gelæstan,
         frēan tō gefeohte,   ·   ongan þā forð beran  
         gar tō guþe.   ·   Hē hæfde god geþanc  
         þā hwile þe hē mid handum   ·   healdan mihte  
15     bord and brādswurd;   ·   bēot hē gelæste  
         þā hē ætforan his frean   ·   feohtan sceolde.  
         Ðā þær Byrhtnōð ongan   ·   beornas trymian,  
         rād and rædde,   ·   rincum tæhte  
         hū hī sceoldon standan   ·   and þone stede healdan,  
20     and bæd þæt hyra randas   ·   rihte hēoldon  
         fæste mid folman,   ·   and ne forhtedon nā.  
         Þā hē hæfde þæt folc   ·   fægere getrymmed,  
         hē lihte þā mid lēodon   ·   þær him lēofost wæs,  
         þær hē his heorðwerod   ·   holdost wiste.  

25     þā stōd on stæðe,   ·   stiðlice clypode  
         wicinga ār,   ·   wordum mælde,  
         se on beot abead   ·   brimliþendra  
         ærænde tō þām eorle,   ·   þær hē on ōfre stōd:  
         “Mē sendon tō þe   ·   sæmen snelle,  
30     hēton ðē secgan   ·   þæt þu most sendan raðe  
         beagas wið gebeorge;   ·   and ēow betere is  
         þæt gē þisne garræs   ·   mid gafole forgyldon,  
         þon wē swā hearde   ·   hilde dælon.  
         Ne þurfe wē ūs spillan,   ·   gif gē spēdaþ tō þām;  
35     we willað wið þam golde   ·   grið fæstnian.  
         Gyf þu þat gerædest,   ·   þe hēr ricost eart,  
         þæt þu þine leoda   ·   lysan wille,  
         syllan sæmannum   ·   on hyra sylfra dom  
         feoh wið freode,   ·   and niman frið æt ūs,  
40     we willaþ mid þam sceattum           ūs tō scype gangan,  
         on flot feran,                     and ēow friþes healdan.”  
         Byrhtnoð maþelode,           bord hafenode,  
         wand wacne æsc,           wordum mælde,  
         yrre and anræd              ageaf him andsware:  
45     “Gehyrst þu, sæliða,           hwæt þis folc segeð?  
         Hī willað ēow tō gafole           gāras syllan,  
         ættrynne ord                and ealde swurd,  
         þā heregeatu             þe ēow æt hilde ne dēah.  
         Brimmanna boda,           ābēod eft ongēan,  
50     sege þinum leodum           miccle laþre spell,  
         þæt hēr stynt unforcuð           eorl mid his werode,  
         þe wile gealgean           ēþel þysne,  
         æþelredes eard,           ealdres mines,  
         folc and foldan.           Feallan sceolon  
55     hæþene æt hilde.           Tō heanlic mē þinceð  
         þæt gē mid ūrum sceattum           tō scype gangon  
         unbefohtene,           nū gē þus feor hider  
         on urne eard           in becomon.  
         Ne sceole gē swā sōfte           sinc gegangan;  
60     ūs sceal ord and ecg           ær gesēman,  
         grim guðplega,           ær wē gofol syllon.”
         hēt þā bord beran,           beornas gangan,  
         þæt hī on þam ēasteðe           ealle stōdon.  
         Ne mihte þær for wætere           werod tō þām ōðrum;  
65     þær cōm flōwende           flōd æfter ebban,  
         lucon lagustrēsamas.           Tō lang hit him þūhte,  
         hwænne hī tōgædere           gāras bēron.  
         Hī þær Pantan strēam           mid prasse bestōdon,  
         Eastseaxena ord           and se æschere.  
70     Ne mihte hyra ænig           ōþrum derian,  
         būton hwā þurh flānes flyht           fyl genāme.  
         Se flōd ūt gewāt;           þā flotan stōdon gearowe,  
         wicinga fela,           wiges georne.  
         hēt þā hæleða hlēo           healdan þā bricge  
75     wigan wigheardne,           se wæs hāten Wulfstān,  
         cāfne mid his cynne,           þæt wæs Ceolan sunu,  
         þe ðone forman man           mid his francan ofscēat  
         þe þær baldlicost           on þā bricge stōp.  
         Þær stōdon mid Wulfstāne           wigan unforhte,  
80     ælfere and Maccus,           mōdige twēgen,  
         þā noldon æt þam forda           flēam gewyrcan,  
         ac hī fæstlice           wið ðā fynd weredon,  
         þā hwile þe hī wæpna           wealdan mōston.  
         þā hī þæt ongeaton           and georne gesāwon  
85     þæt hī þær bricgweardas           bitere fundon,  
         ongunnon lytegian þā           lāðe gystas,  
         bædon þæt hī ūpgang           āgan mōston,  
         ofer þone ford faran,           fēþan lædan.  
         Ðā se eorl ongan           for his ofermōde  
90     ālyfan landes tō fela           lāþere ðēode.  
         Ongan ceallian þā           ofer cald wæter  
         Byrhtelmes bearn           (beornas gehlyston):  
         “Nū ēow is gerymed,           gāð ricene tō ūs,  
         guman tō guþe;           god āna wāt  
95     hwā þære wælstōwe           wealdan mōte.”  
         Wōdon þā wælwulfas           (for wætere ne murnon),  
         wicinga werod,           west ofer Pantan,  
         ofer scir wæter           scyldas wēgon,  
         lidmen tō lande           linde bæron.  

100   Þær ongean gramum           gearowe stōdon  
         Byrhtnoð mid beornum;           hē mid bordum hēt  
         wyrcan þone wihagan,           and þæt werod healdan  
         fæste wið feondum.           þā wæs feohte neh,  
         tir æt getohte.           Wæs seo tid cumen  
105   þæt þær fæge men           feallan sceoldon.  
         Þær wearð hrēam āhafen,           hremmas wundon,  
         earn æses georn;           wæs on eorþan cyrm.  
         Hī lēton þā of folman           fēolhearde speru,  
         gegrundene           gāras flēogan;  
110   bogan wæron bysige,           bord ord onfeng.  
         Biter wæs se beaduræs,           beornas fēollon  
         on gehwæðere hand,           hyssas lāgon.  
         Wund wearð Wulfmær,           wælræste gecēas,  
         Byrhtnoðes mæg;           hē mid billum wearð,  
115   his swuster sunu,           swiðe forhēawen.  
         Þær wearð wicingum           wiþerlēan āgyfen.  
         Gehyrde ic þæt Eadweard           ānne slōge  
         swiðe mid his swurde,           swenges ne wyrnde,  
         þæt him æt fōtum           feoll fæge cempa;  
120   Þæs him his ðēoden           þanc gesæde,  
         þām burþēne,           þā hē byre hæfde.  
         Swā stemnetton           stiðhicgende  
         hysas æt hilde,           hogodon georne  
         hwā þær mid orde           ærost mihte  
125   on fægean men           feorh gewinnan,  
         wigan mid wæpnum;           wæl fēol on eorðan.  
         Stōdon stædefæste;           stihte hī Byrhtnoð,  
         bæd þæt hyssa gehwylc           hogode tō wige  
         þe on Denon wolde           dōm gefeohtan.  
130   Wōd þā wiges heard,           wæpen ūp ahōf,  
         bord tō gebeorge,           and wið þæs beornes stōp.  
         Eode swā anræd           eorl tō þam ceorle,  
         ægþer hyra ōðrum           yfeles hogode.  
         Sende ðā se særinc           sūþerne gar,  
135   þæt gewundod wearð           wigena hlāford;  
         hē scēaf þā mid ðām scylde,           þæt se sceaft tōbærst,  
         and þæt spere sprengde,           þæt hit sprang ongēan.  
         Gegremod wearð se gūðrinc;           hē mid gāre stang  
         wlancne wicing,           þe him þā wunde forgeaf.  
140   Frōd wæs se fyrdrinc;           hē lēt his francan wadan  
         þurh ðæs hysses hals,           hand wisode  
         þæt hē on þam færsceaðan           feorh geræhte.  
         ða hē ōþerne           ofstlice scēat,  
         þæt sēo byrne tōbærst;           hē wæs on brēostum wund  
145   þurh ðā hringlocan,           him æt heortan stōd  
         ætterne ord.           Se eorl wæs þe bliþra,  
         hlōh þā, mōdi man,           sæde metode þanc  
         Ðæs dægweorces           þe him drihten forgeaf.  
         Forlet þā drenga sum           daroð of handa,  
150   flēogan of folman,           þæt se tō forð gewāt  
         þurh ðone æþelan           æþelredes þegen.  
         Him be healfe stōd           hyse unweaxen,  
         cniht on gecampe,           se full caflice  
         bræd of þam beorne           blodigne gar,  
155    Wulfstanes bearn,           Wulfmær se geonga,  
         forlet forheardne           faran eft ongean;  
         ord in gewod,           þæt se on eorþan læg  
         þe his þeoden ær           þearle geræhte.  
         Eode þā gesyrwed           secg tō þam eorle;  
160   hē wolde þæs beornes           beagas gefecgan,  
         rēaf and hringas           and gerēnod swurd.  
         Þā Byrhtnōð bræd           bill of scēðe,  
         brād and brūneccg,           and on þā byrnan slōh.  
         Tō raþe hine gelette           lidmanna sum,  
165   þā hē þæs eorles           earm āmyrde.  
         Fēoll þā tō foldan           fealohilte swurd;  
         ne mihte hē gehealdan           heardne mece,  
         wæpnes wealdan.           þā gyt þæt word gecwæð  
         hār hilderinc,           hyssas bylde,  
170   bæd gangan forð           gōde gēfēran;  
         ne mihte þā on fōtum leng           fæste gestandan.  
         Hē tō heofenum wlāt:            
         “Geþancie þē,           ðēoda Waldend,  
         ealra þæra wynna           þe ic on worulde gebād.  
175   Nu ic āh, milde metod,           mæste þearfe  
         þæt þu minum gāste           gōdes geunne,  
         þæt min sāwul tō ðē           siðian mōte  
         on þin geweald,           þeoden engla,  
         mid friþe fēran.           Ic eom frymdi tō þē  
180   þæt hī helsceaðan           hynan ne mōton.”  
         Ða hine hēowon           hæðene scealcas  
         and bēgen þā beornas           þe him big stōdon,  
         ælfnoð and Wulmær           bēgen lāgon,  
         ða onemn hyra frēan           feorh gesealdon.  

185   Hī bugon þā fram beaduwe           þe þær bēon noldon.  
         Þær wearð Oddan bearn           ærest on flēame,  
         Godric fram gūþe,           and þone gōdan forlēt  
         þe him mænigne oft           mear gesealde;  
         hē gehlēop þone eoh           þe āhte his hlāford,  
190   on þām gerædum           þe hit riht ne wæs,  
         and his brōðru mid him           bēgen ærndon,  
         Godwine and Godwig,           gūþe ne gymdon,  
         ac wendon fram þām wige           and þone wudu sōhton,  
         flugon on þæt fæsten           and hyra fēore burgon,  
195   and manna mā           þonne hit ænig mæð wære,  
         gyf hī þā geearnunga           ealle gemundon  
         þe hē him tō duguþe           gedōn hæfde.  
         Swā him Offa on dæg           ær asæde  
         on þām meþelstede,           þā hē gemōt hæfde,  
200   þæt þær mōdiglice           manega spræcon  
         þe eft æt þearfe           þolian noldon.  
         Þā wearð afeallen           þæs folces ealdor,  
         æþelrēdes eorl;           ealle gesāwon  
         heorðgenēatas           þæt hyra heorra læg.  
205   Þā ðær wendon forð           wlance þegenas,  
         unearge men           efston georne;  
         hī woldon þā ealle           oðer twēga,  
         lif forlætan           oððe leofne gewrecan.  
         Swā hī bylde forð           bearn ælfrices,  
210   wiga wintrum geong,           wordum mælde,  
         ælfwine þā cwæð,           hē on ellen spræc:  
         “Gemunan þā mæla           þe wē oft æt meodo spræcon,  
         þonne wē on bence           bēot āhōfon,  
         hæleð on healle,           ymbe heard gewinn;  
215   nū mæg cunnian           hwā cēne sy.  
         Ic wylle mine æþelo           eallum gecyþan,  
         þæt ic wæs on Myrcon           miccles cynnes;  
         wæs min ealda fæder           Ealhelm hāten,  
         wis ealdorman,           woruldgesælig.  
220   Ne sceolon me on þære þeode           þegenas ætwitan  
         þæt ic of ðisse fyrde           fēran wille,  
         eard gesēcan,           nū min ealdor ligeð  
         forhēawen æt hilde.           Mē is þæt hearma mæst;  
         hē wæs ægðer min mæg           and min hlāford.” 
225   Þā hē forð eode,           fæhðe gemunde,  
         þæt hē mid orde           anne geræhte  
         flotan on þam folce,           þæt se on foldan læg  
         forwegen mid his wæpne.           Ongan þā winas manian,  
         frynd and gefēran,           þæt hī forð ēodon.  
230   Offa gemælde,           æscholt āsceoc:  
         “Hwæt þū, ælfwine, hafast           ealle gemanode  
         þegenas tō þearfe,           nū ūre þēoden lið,  
         eorl on eorðan.           Ūs is eallum þearf  
         þæt ūre æghwylc           ōþerne bylde  
235   wigan tō wige,           þā hwile þe hē wæpen mæge  
         habban and healdan,           heardne mēce,  
         gār and gōdswurd.           Ūs Godric hæfð,  
         earh Oddan bearn,           ealle beswicene.  
         Wende þæs formoni man,           þā hē on mēare rād,  
240   on wlancan þam wicge,           þæt wære hit ūre hlāford;  
         forþan wearð hēr on felda           folc totwæmed,  
         scyldburh tōbrocen.           Abrēoðe his angin,  
         þæt hē hēr swā manigne           man aflymde!”
         Lēofsunu gemælde           and his linde āhof,  
245   bord tō gebeorge;           hē þām beorne oncwæð:  
         “Ic þæt gehate,           þæt ic heonon nelle  
         flēon fōtes trym,           ac wille furðor gān,  
         wrecan on gewinne           minne winedrihten.  
         Ne þurfon mē embe Stūrmere           stedefæste hælæð  
250   wordum ætwitan,           nū min wine gecranc,  
         þæt ic hlafordleas           hām siðie,  
         wende fram wige,           ac mē sceal wæpen niman,  
         ord and iren.”           Hē ful yrre wōd,  
         feaht fæstlice,           fleam hē forhogode.  
255   Dunnere þā cwæð,           daroð ācwehte,  
         unorne ceorl,           ofer eall clypode,  
         bæd þæt beorna gehwylc           Byrhtnoð wræce:  
         “Ne mæg nā wandian           se þe wrecan þenceð  
         frēan on folce,           ne for fēore murnan.” 
260   Þā hī forð eodon,           fēores hī ne rohton;  
         ongunnon þā hiredmen           heardlice feohtan,  
         grame gārberend,           and god bædon  
         þæt hī mōston gewrecan           hyra winedrihten  
         and on hyra fēondum           fyl gewyrcan.  
265   Him se gysel ongan           geornlice fylstan;  
         hē wæs on Norðhymbron           heardes cynnes,  
         Ecglafes bearn,           him wæs æscferð nama.  
         Hē ne wandode na           æt þam wigplegan,  
         ac hē fysde forð           flān genehe.  
270   Hwilon hē on bord scēat,           hwilon beorn tæsde,  
         æfre embe stunde           hē sealde sume wunde,  
         þā hwile ðe hē wæpna           wealdan mōste.  
         Þā gyt on orde stōd           Eadweard se langa,  
         gearo and geornful,           gylpwordum spræc  
275   þæt hē nolde flēogan           fōtmæl landes,  
         ofer bæc būgan,           þā his betera leg.  
         Hē bræc þone bordweall           and wið þā beornas feaht,  
         oðþæt hē his sincgyfan           on þam sæmannum  
         wurðlice wrec,           ær hē on wæle læge.  

280   Swā dyde æþeric,           æþele gefēra,  
         fūs and forðgeorn,           feaht eornoste.  
         Sibyrhtes broðor           and swiðe mænig ōþer  
         clufon cellod bord,           cene hī weredon;  
         bærst bordes lærig,           and sēo byrne sang  
285   gryrelēoða sum.           þā æt guðe slōh  
         Offa þone sælidan,           þæt hē on eorðan feoll,  
         and ðær Gaddes mæg           grund gesōhte.  
         Raðe wearð æt hilde           Offa forhēawen;  
         hē hæfde ðeah geforþod           þæt hē his frēan gehēt,  
290   swā hē bēotode ær           wið his bēahgifan  
         þæt hī sceoldon bēgen           on burh ridan,  
         hāle tō hāme,           oððe on here crincgan,  
         on wælstowe           wundum sweltan;  
         hē læg ðegenlice           ðēodne gehende.  
295   Ðā wearð borda gebræc.           Brimmen wōdon,  
         guðe gegremode;           gar oft þurhwōd  
         fæges feorhhūs.           Forð þā eode Wistān,  
         þurstānes sunu,           wið þas secgas feaht;  
         hē wæs on geþrange           hyra þreora bana,  
300   ær him Wigelines bearn   ·   on þam wæle læge.  
         Þær wæs stið gemot;   ·   Stōdon fæste  
         wigan on gewinne,   ·   wigend cruncon,  
         wundum werige.   ·   Wæl fēol on eorþan.  
         Oswold and Eadwold   ·   ealle hwile,  
305   bēgen þā gebroþru,   ·   beornas trymedon,  
         hyra winemāgas   ·   wordon bædon  
         þæt hī þær æt ðearfe   ·   þolian sceoldon,  
         unwāclice   ·   wæpna nēotan.  
         Byrhtwold maþelode   ·   bord hafenode  
310   (se wæs eald genēat),   ·   æsc ācwehte;  
         hē ful baldlice   ·   beornas lærde:  
         “Hige sceal þē heardra,   ·   heorte þē cēnre,  
         mod sceal þē māre,   ·   þē ūre mægen lytlað.  
         hēr lið ure ealdor   ·   eall forheawen,  
315   god on grēote.   ·   A mæg gnornian  
         se ðe nu fram þis wigplegan   ·   wendan þenceð.  
         Ic eom frōd fēores;   ·   fram ic ne wille,  
         ac ic mē be healfe   ·   minum hlāforde,  
         be swā lēofan men,   ·   licgan þence.”
320   Swā hī æþelgares bearn           ealle bylde,  
         Godric tō guþe.   ·   Oft hē gār forlēt,  
         wælspere windan   ·   on þā wicingas,  
         swā hē on þam folce   ·   fyrmest ēode,  
         hēow and hynde,   ·   oðþæt hē on hilde gecranc.  
325   Næs þæt nā se Godric   ·   þe ðā gūðe forbēah  

1                    ...would be broken.
          Then he ordered a warrior to free each horse,
          driven far away and advance onward,
          giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
5        Then Offa’s kinsman first understood,
          that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
          for he let then from his hand fly his beloved
          hawk towards its home and went forth to battle.
          By this a man might understand that this young man would not
10      prove weak at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
          And for himself, Eadric followed his chief,
          his lord to fight with, and so he moved forward with
          his spear to the battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
          as long as he with hands might hold
15      shield and broadsword; His vow he would carry out
          that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
          Then Byrhtnoth began to marshall his men there,
          riding and instructing, directing his warriors
          how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
20      and ordering that their round shields be held firm
          with steady hands and not to be afraid.
          Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,
          he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to be,
          there amid his 
retainers
 knowing their devotion.

25      Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
          a Viking messenger, spoke words,
          threatening, delivering the sea-pirate’s
          message to this Earl where he stood on shore:
          “I am sent to you from bold sea-men,
30      ordered to tell you that you must quickly send
          treasures to us, it would be better for you 
          if with tribute, you forego this conflict
          than with us bitter warfare share.
          No need to slaughter each other if you do it;
35      For gold we would be willing to bring a truce.
          If you believe which of these is the noblest path,
           and that your people are desirous of assurance,
          then pay the sea-farers on their own terms
          money for a truce and receive peace from us,
40      for we with this tribute will to our ships,
          depart on the sea and hold peace with you.”
          Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised up,
          shook his slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
          wrathful and resolute gave his answer:
45      “Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
          Spears to pay, ash-spears as a tribute,
          poisoned spears and old swords,
          the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.
          Sea-thieves messenger, carry word back,
50      tell your people this spiteful message,
          that here stands an honourable Earl with his war-band
          who will defend our homeland,
          Aethelred’s earth, my lord’s
          people and land.  Fall shall you
55      heathen in battle.  To us it would be shameful
          that you, without a fight, would go to your ships
          carrying our wealth, now you thus far
          have come into our homeland.
          Not so easily shall you carry away treasure:
60      spearpoint and blade must first decide the terms,
          fierce conflict, before we hand over tribute.”
          He then ordered their shields taken up, his soldiers advancing
          until on the river-bank they all stood.
          Because of the water neither band of men could reach the other:
65      there came flowing the flood after the ebb-tide;
          Joining together in the stream.  Too long it seemed to him
          until spears might join in battle.
          Arrayed on the Panta stream with pride they stood,
          East Saxon ranks and the 
raiders from the ships
.
70      nor might any harm the other
          unless through an arrow’s flight death receive.
          Then the flood went out.  The sea-men stood ready,
          many Vikings eager for battle.
          Then the heroes’ protector ordered that the causeway be held
75      by a warrior stern, his name was Wulfstan,
          valiant with his people: that was Ceola’s son,
          who the first man with his spear slain
          was one who boldly on the causeway stood.
          There fought with Wulfstan warriors fearless,
80      Ælfere and Maccus, two great in courage,
          who would not at this ford take to flight,
          but stoutly against the enemy defended themselves
          while their weapons they might wield.
          When they understood and clearly saw,
85      that this guarding of the bridge was a fierce encounter,
          and so began to use guile, the hateful strangers,
          asked that passage to land they might be given,
          to gain the shore and lead the foot-soldiers.
          Then the Earl permitted in his great pride
90      to allow to much land to the hostile people.
          Then shouted from the shore over the cold water
          Byrhtelm’s child (and the men listened):
          “Now the way is open: come quickly to us
          you men to battle.  God alone knows
95      who on this field of battle may be the master.”
          The wolves of slaughter waded then, not heeding the water,
          this band of Vikings, west over the Panta,
          over the shining water they carried their shields,
          sea-men towards land bore their linden shields.

100    There against the enemy stood ready
          Byrhtnoth with his men.  He had them with shields
          form battle ranks and that army hold
          fast against the enemy.  Then was the fight near,
          glory in battle.  The time was come
105    that doomed men must fall in battle.
          There came the loud clamour.  Ravens circled,
          eagles eager for carrion;  On earth was the battlecry.
          They sent forth from their hands shafts file-hard,
          murderously sharpened spears flew;
110    Bows were busily at work, shields took spears.
          Fierce was the onslaught,  warriors fell
          on either hand, young men lay dead.
          Wounded was Wulfmær, dead on the battlefield,
          Byrhtnoth’s kinsman; He with sword was,
115    his sister’s son, cruelly hewn down.
          There were the Vikings given requital.
          I hear that Eadweard slew one
          fiercely with his sword, withholding not his blow,
          so that at his feet fell a doomed warrior;
120    For this he of his people gave thanks for,
          this chamber-thane, when the opportunity arose.
          So resolute men stood firm
          young men in battle, eagerly vying
          whom there with spear-points might be soonest
125    the doomed man’s life conquer,
          warriors with weapons.  The slain in battle fell to earth.
          Steadfast they stood, Byrhtnoth exhorted them,
          bid each young warrior think of the battle,
          who against the Danes would win glory in war.
130    Advanced again, battle-hardened, weapons upraised,
          shields to defence, and towards these men stepped forward.
          Resolute they advanced from the Earl to the humble churl:
          each of them intent on harm for the enemy.
          Sent then a sea-warrior a spear of southern make
135    that wounded the warrior’s lord.
          He thrust then with his shield so that the spear shaft burst,
          and that spear shattered as it sprang back.
          Enraged became that warrior: with anger he stabbed
          that proud Viking who had given him the wound.
140    Experienced was that warrior; He thrust his spear forward
          through the invader’s neck, his hand guiding
          so that he this ravager’s life would fatally pierce.
          Then he quickly stabbed again,
          so that the chainmail coat broke; The man had a breast wound
145    cut through the linked mail-rings, through his heart stuck
          a deadly spear.  The Earl was the better pleased,
          laughed then this brave man, thanking the Creator for
          the day’s work which the Lord had given him.
          And then another threw a hand-spear,
150    flying forward, which deeply struck
          through the noble Aethelred’s theign.
          With him at his side stood a young man not fully grown,
          a youth on the battlefield, who full valiantly
          pulled out from this man the bloody spear,
155    Wulfstan’s child, Wulfmaer the younger,
          and let the tempered shaft fly back again;
          The point penetrated, so that he on the earth now lay
          who had his lord so sorely pierced.
          Went then an armed man to the Earl;
160    He wished this warrior’s belongings to take off with,
          booty and rings and an ornamented sword.
          Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath
          broad and bright of blade, and then struck the man’s coat of mail.
          But too soon he was prevented by a certain sea-warrior,
165    when he wounded the Earl’s arm.
          Fell then to the ground his gold-hilted sword:
          his grip unable to hold the heavy blade,
          or wield the weapon.  Then still uttered those words
          the seasoned warrior, encouraging the younger warriors,
170    bidding them to advance stoutly together.
          Not could he on his feet any longer stand firmly.
          He looked to the heavens:   
(note)
          “I thank you, Lord of my people,
          all the joys which I in this world have experienced.
175    Now I ask, merciful Creator, the greatest hope
          that to you my spirit shall be granted salvation
          that my soul to thee be permitted to journey
          and into your power, King of Angels,
          in peace I depart.  I only entreat you
180    that the hell-fiends shall not harm me.”
          Then he was slain by the heathen warriors
          and both of the men which by him stood,
          Aelfnoth and Wulmaer were both slain,
          close by their lord they gave up their lives.

185    Then turned away from battle those that would not stay.
          There went Odda’s son first to flight;
          Godric fled from the battle, and abandoned the good man
          who had often given him many a horse;
          He leapt upon the steed which had been owned by his lord,
190    on those trappings of which he had no right,
          and his brothers with him both galloped away,
          Godwine and Godwig, not caring for battle,
          turned away from the battlefield and sought the woods,
          fled to that wilderness and saved their lives,
195    and many more men than is fitting were there,
          if they had acted deservingly and all remembered
          he, who had to them all benefits given.
          Thus had Offa on that day first said
          at the 
meeting place
, there at the 
council
,
200    that there would be boldly many a boastful speech
          which, after at the time of need, would not endure.
          So now was laid low the Chief of the people,
          Aethelred’s Earl;  All saw those
          hearth-companions that their lord lay slain.
205    But then advanced onward those valiant retainers,
          undaunted men hastening eagerly:
          they alll wished one of two things,
          to leave life or else to avenge their dear lord.
          And so urging them forward was the child of Aelfrices,
210    a warrior young in winters whose words spoke,
          Ælfwine then spoke, in valiant speech:
          “Remember the speeches which we had often at mead spoken,
          that we on the bench had loudly uttered vows,
          heroes in the hall, concerning bitter strife;
215    Now may we prove who is truly brave.
          I am willing that my royal descent be known to all,
          that I was of Mercian blood great kindred;
          My grandfather Ealhelm was called,
          a wise ealdorman and world-happy.
220    Not shall these people’s theigns blame me
          that I from this army wish to flee,
          a homeland seeking, now that my lord lies dead
          and hewn down in battle.  Mine is that sorrow greatest;
          He was both my kinsman and my lord.”
225    Then he went forward, fierce in memory,
          then he with spear-point pierced one
          seaman in their host, that he to the ground fell slain
          destroyed with his weapon.  He began to exhort his comrades,
          friends and compatriots, that they advance.
230    Offa spoke, shaking his ashen spear:
          “Indeed you, Ælfwine, have from all men
          exhorted our allegiance. Now our protector lies slain,
          the Earl on the earth. To us all our need is
          that each one encourages the other
235    warriors to battle, while with weapons we are able
          to have yet and grasp, the hard blade,
          the spear and the good sword. To us has Godric,
          that cowardly son of Odda, all betrayed.
          Many men believed, when he rode on the horse,
240    on that splendid steed, that it was our lord;
          Because of this on the battlefield the people scattered,
          the shield-defence breaking apart.  Shame on that action,
          for because of him so many men were caused to flee!”
          Leofsunu spoke and his linden shield raised,
245    a shield for defence; This warrior replied to him:
          “I swear this, that from here I will not
          flee a foot’s pace, as my wish is to advance,
          avenging in battle my lord-friend.
          I have no wish that Sturmere’s steadfast heroes
250    reproach me with words, now that my friend has perished,
          that I now lordless homeward journey,
          having turned away from battle, but I shall be taken by weapons,
          either spear or iron.”  Full of anger he went,
          fighting resolutely, for he despised flight.
255    Dunnere then spoke, brandishing his spear,
          a humble churl, calling over all,
          exhorting that each man avenge Byrhtnoth:
          “He cannot retreat who intends vengeance
          for our lord of the host, if he fears not for his life.”
260    Then they pressed forward, fearing not about their lives;
          These retainers began to fiercely fight,
          ferocious spear-bearers, and prayed to God
          that they might avenge their lord-friend
          and on their enemy death bring.
265    The hostage himself began willingly to help;
          He was a Northumbrian of a brave family,
          Ecglaf’s child; He was named Æscferth.
          He hesitated not at the battle-play,
          but shot forth many arrows.
270    Here striking a shield, there cutting down a man,
          at almost every moment inflicting some wound,
          the while his weapon he could wield.
          Still at the battle front stood Eadweard the Tall,
          ready and eager, speaking vaunting words
275    that he would not flee a foot’s space,
          or turn away back to the bank, when his better lay slain.
          He broke through that shield-wall and with the warriors fought,
          until his bounteous lord upon those sea-men
          did worthily avenge, and he on the battlefield lay slain.

280    So did Ætheric, noble comrade,
          press forward eagererly and fought resolutely,
          Sibyrht’s brother and very many others;
          Splitting the enemy’s shields, valiantly they defended themselves.
          Shield rims rang, and the mail-coats sang
285    a terrible dirge.  Then at the battle’s height
          Offa, this sea-farer sent him to the Earth dead,
          and there Gadda’s kinsman fell to the ground.
          Soon it was at battle that Offa was hewn down;
          He had though accomplished that vow to his lord,
290    that he had spoken before to his ring-giver,
          that they should both into the fortified town ride,
          
hale
 home or in battle fall,
          on the corpse-field with wounds perish;
          He lay nobly his lord nearby.
295    Then it happened that the shields broke through.  The sea-men advanced,
          to battle enraged.  Spear often pierced
          the doomed soul-houses.  Onward then advanced Wistan,
          Thurhstan’s son, to these warriors fought.
          He was among the throng and killed three,
300    before Wigelm’s child lay slain in battle.
          There was harsh combat;  They stood firm
          did these warriors in battle,  warriors perished,
          exhausted by their wounds.  The slain fell dead to earth.
          Oswold and Eadwold all this time,
305    both of these brothers, encouraged the men,
          their beloved kinsman they would exhort through words
          that they needed to endure
          without weakening and make use of their weapons.
          Byrhtwold spoke, shield raised aloft
310    (he was an old retainer) and shook his spear;
          He full boldly commanded the warriors:
          “Resolution must be the stronger, heart the keener,
          mind must be the greater, while our strength lessens.
          Here lies our lord all hewn down,
315    good man he lies in the dust.  A kinsman grieves
          that who now from this battle-play thinks to turn away.
          I am advanced in years.  I do not wish to leave,
          but I by my liege Lord,
          by so loved a man I intend to lie.”
320    So then did Æthelgar’s son embolden them all,
          even Godric to the battle.  Often he sent forth spears,
          deadly shaft sped away onto the Vikings;
          Thus he on this people went out in front,
          striking down and humbling, until he too on the battlefield fell.
325    This was not that Godric who from the battle had fled ...