Battle of Maldon (English) - Revision history

EpicHistorian at 23:26, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T23:26:57Z

EpicHistorian at 23:25, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T23:25:53Z

EpicHistorian at 23:21, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T23:21:22Z

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EpicHistorian at 23:16, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T23:16:14Z

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EpicHistorian at 23:01, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T23:01:01Z

EpicHistorian at 18:16, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T18:16:15Z

EpicHistorian at 18:11, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T18:11:45Z

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EpicHistorian at 18:06, 25 July 2006

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EpicHistorian at 17:58, 25 July 2006

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EpicHistorian at 17:56, 25 July 2006

2006-07-25T17:56:17Z

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<big>The Battle of Maldon</big><br>
+<big>The [[Battle of Maldon]]</big><br>
 '''The Translation'''
 <poem>

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 <br>'''15'''<br>    shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
 that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
-Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
+Then [[Byrhtnoth]] marshalled his soldiers,
 riding and instructing, directing his warriors
 how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 <br>'''40'''<br>    for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
 depart on the sea and keep peace with you."
-Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,
+[[Byrhtnoth]] spoke, his shield raised aloft,
 brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
 wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 shields.
 <br>'''100'''<br>   There against the enemy stood ready
-Byrhtnoth with his soldiers.  He with his shield commanded
+[[Byrhtnoth]] with his soldiers.  He with his shield commanded
 to form the battle ranks and that force of men to hold fast
 firmly towards the enemy.  Then was the fight near,
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 on either side, young men lay slain.
 Wounded was Wulfmaer, meeting death on the battlefield,
-Byrhtnoth's kinsman: he with sword was,
+[[Byrhtnoth]]'s kinsman: he with sword was,
 <br>'''115'''<br>   his sister's son, cruelly hewn down.
 There were the Vikings given requital:
@@ Line 135: / Line 135: @@
 <br>'''125'''<br>   of doomed men's life destroy,
 warriors with weapons.  The slain in battle fell to Earth.
-Steadfast and unyielding, Byrhtnoth exhorted them,
+Steadfast and unyielding, [[Byrhtnoth]] exhorted them,
 bidding that each young warrior's purpose to this battle,
 against the Danes a desire to win glory in war.
@@ Line 172: / Line 172: @@
 <br>'''160'''<br>   he desirous of this warrior's belongings to take off with,
 booty and rings and an ornamental sword.
-Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath
+Then [[Byrhtnoth]] drew his sword from its sheath
 broad and bright of blade, and then struck the man's coat of
 mail.
@@ Line 274: / Line 274: @@
 <br>'''255'''<br>   Dunnere then said, brandishing his spear,
 a simple yeoman calling out to the entire shore,
-exhorting that each warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:
+exhorting that each warrior avenge [[Byrhtnoth]]:
 "One cannot retreat who intends vengeance
 for our lord of the host, if their lives they care not for."
@@ Line 349: / Line 349: @@
 <br>'''325'''<br>   This was not that Godric who from the battle had flown away...
 </poem>

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
        driven afar and advance onward,
        giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
-'''5'''     Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
+'''5'''<br>     Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
        that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
        for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
        falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.
        By this a man might understand that this youth would not
-'''10'''    prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
+'''10'''<br>    prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
        Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,
        his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
        his spear to battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
        as long as he with hands might be able to grasp
-'''15'''    shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
+'''15'''<br>    shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
        that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
              Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
        riding and instructing, directing his warriors
        how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
-'''20'''    and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
+'''20'''<br>    and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
        with steady hands and be not 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
+'''25'''<br>    Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
        a Viking messenger, making speech,
        menacingly delivering the sea-pirate's
        message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:
        "I send to you from the bold seamen,
-'''30'''    a command to tell that you must quickly send
+'''30'''<br>    a command to tell that you must quickly send
        treasures to us, and it would be better to you if
        with tribute buy off this conflict of spears
        than with us bitter battle share.
        No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;
-'''35'''    we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
+'''35'''<br>    we would be willing for gold 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 towards peace and receive peace from us,
-    for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
+'''40'''<br>    for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
        depart on the sea and keep peace with you."
              Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,
        brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
        wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:
-    "Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
+'''45'''<br>    "Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
        They desire to you a tribute of spears to pay,
        poisoned spears and old swords,
        the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.
        Sea-thieves messenger, deliver back in reply,
-    tell your people this spiteful message,
+'''50'''<br>    tell your people this spiteful message,
        that here stands undaunted an Earl with his band of men
        who will defend our homeland,
        Aethelred's country, the lord of my
        people and land.  Fall shall you
-    heathen in battle!  To us it would be shameful
+'''55'''<br>    heathen in battle!  To us it would be shameful
        that you with our coin to your ships should get away
        without a fight, now you thus far
        into our homeland have come.
        You shall not so easily carry off our treasure:
-    with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,
+'''60'''<br>    with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,
        fierce conflict, is the tribute we will hand over."
              He then ordered their shields taken up, his soldiers
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
        Because of the river they were not able this band of men to
                                fight the other:
-    there came flowing the flood after the tide;
+'''65'''<br>    there came flowing the flood after the tide;
        joining in the tidal stream.  Too long it seemed to him
        until the time when they together with spears join in battle.
@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
                                banks,
        East Saxon spears and the sea-raider army;
-    nor might any harm the other
+'''70'''<br>    nor might any harm the other
        unless through an arrow's flight death receive.
              Then the tide went out.  The seamen stood ready,
        many Vikings eager for battle.
        Then the heroes' protector ordered that the causeway be held
-    by a warrior stern -- Wulfstan was his name --
+'''75'''<br>    by a warrior stern -- Wulfstan was his name --
        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,
-    Aelfere and Maccus, two great in courage,
+'''80'''<br>    Aelfere and Maccus, two great in courage,
        who would not at this fjord take to flight,
        but stoutly against the enemy defended themselves

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
        driven afar and advance onward,
        giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
-     Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
+'''5'''     Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
        that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
        for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
        falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.
        By this a man might understand that this youth would not
-    prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
+'''10'''    prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
        Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,
        his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
        his spear to battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
        as long as he with hands might be able to grasp
-    shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
+'''15'''    shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
        that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
              Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
        riding and instructing, directing his warriors
        how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
-    and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
+'''20'''    and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
        with steady hands and be not 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.
-    Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
+'''25'''    Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
        a Viking messenger, making speech,
        menacingly delivering the sea-pirate's
        message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:
        "I send to you from the bold seamen,
-    a command to tell that you must quickly send
+'''30'''    a command to tell that you must quickly send
        treasures to us, and it would be better to you if
        with tribute buy off this conflict of spears
        than with us bitter battle share.
        No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;
-    we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
+'''35'''    we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
        If you believe which of these is the noblest path,
        and that your people are desirous of assurance,