Fight or Flight, every man faces it in his lifetime. In that choice we define the rest of our lives. For Brythnoth that moment was 993 AD, against the Vikings.
The Long Serpent made it's appearance over the horizon despite the prayers of the British, on the Essex Coast, “Save us, O Lord, from the fury of the Northmen!” A prospering country, divided into tiny kingdoms that were undermanned and under defended, stood a ready prey for the Vikings of the 10th Century.
Already a victim of raiding Northmen, the forays into Britain's coast had increased both in number and intensity. The people fearing not only for their lives and their country, had sacrificed enough gold, food, and men to last a lifetime. It was time to stand against the Sea Dragons, or War Wolves.
It was the year 993 AD, and this resounding defeat at the Battle of Maldon, resonates down to our day for it's meaning of what men everywhere consider to be their greatest possession, their freedom to live in peace and follow the dictates of their conscience.
It began that morning with the arrival of just under a hundred Viking ships. The day erupted with decorous threats from the Vikings. “Swift striking seamen...bid me say...send them rings and bracelets...rather than engage us in cruel combat...we offer a truce in exchange for gold! ...Render to the Vikings what they think is right...and we will... hold you as friends.” Friends indeed!
Brythnoth, the Earl of Essex, was ready to defend his land to the last man. Being of Viking descent himself, he called back to those “Sea Wolves” with these words. “Hear Sea Wanderer what this nation says. These men will give you spears as tribute...it would be a pity if you were to take our riches without a fight...first point and edge will sort things out between us!”
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This article is owned by Anastacia Prisbrey. Permission to republish any part in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
The Long Serpent made it's appearance over the horizon despite the prayers of the British, on the Essex Coast, “Save us, O Lord, from the fury of the Northmen!” A prospering country, divided into tiny kingdoms that were undermanned and under defended, stood a ready prey for the Vikings of the 10th Century.Already a victim of raiding Northmen, the forays into Britain's coast had increased both in number and intensity. The people fearing not only for their lives and their country, had sacrificed enough gold, food, and men to last a lifetime. It was time to stand against the Sea Dragons, or War Wolves.
It was the year 993 AD, and this resounding defeat at the Battle of Maldon, resonates down to our day for it's meaning of what men everywhere consider to be their greatest possession, their freedom to live in peace and follow the dictates of their conscience.
It began that morning with the arrival of just under a hundred Viking ships. The day erupted with decorous threats from the Vikings. “Swift striking seamen...bid me say...send them rings and bracelets...rather than engage us in cruel combat...we offer a truce in exchange for gold! ...Render to the Vikings what they think is right...and we will... hold you as friends.” Friends indeed!
Brythnoth, the Earl of Essex, was ready to defend his land to the last man. Being of Viking descent himself, he called back to those “Sea Wolves” with these words. “Hear Sea Wanderer what this nation says. These men will give you spears as tribute...it would be a pity if you were to take our riches without a fight...first point and edge will sort things out between us!”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This article is owned by Anastacia Prisbrey. Permission to republish any part in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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