isa-normaladvance-1914-00172

Description: 172THE NORMAL ADVANCEsword. There was requital given to the vikings.
I heard that Edward alone slew fiercely with
his sword, withholding not the blow, so that
the doomed warriors fell at his feet
for that
his prince said thanks to him through the
chamberlain, when he had an opportunity. So
the resolute young warriors stemmed the tide
of battle
planning earnestly there who might
first take life from the doomed men, warriors
with weapons. Slaughter fell upon the earth.
They stood steadfast, Brihtnoth encouraged
them, bade the young warriors resolve who in
the conflict would win renown from the Danes.
The cruelty of battle advanced, lifted up
weapons, shields as a protection, and advanced
against the enemy
full resolutely the earl
charged upon the churl, each resolving evil
upon the other. The viking sent an arrow
southward so that the chief of the Saxon war¬
riors was wounded
he shoved them with his
shield, until the shaft burst, and the spear
shivered to splinters, so that it rebounded. The
warrior raged
with his spear he stung the
haughty viking, who gave him the wound.
Wary was the warrior. He let his spear go
through his enemys throat
directed his hand
so that he took the life of the dangerous
enemy. Then he swiftly shot another so that
the corselet burst
he was wounded in the breast
through the coat of mail, a poisonous dart was
imbedded in his heart. The earl was blither,
the proud man laughed, saying thanks to the
Creator for that days work which the Lord
had granted to him. Then a spear left the
hands of a certain man, and flew from his
grasp, so that it struck the noble thane of
^Ethelred. By his side stood a half-grown war¬
rior, a youth on the battlefield, who full boldly
drew the bloody spear from the hero. He was
the son of Wulfstane—Wulfmaer the youthful.
He sent it back again strongly: the spear
pierced in, so that he who just before had dealt
hardly with his lord lay on the earth. The
armed man went to the earl
he desired to
plunder the warriors jewels, armor and rings
and the embellished sword. Then Brihtnothdrew his sword from its sheath, broad and
blood-stained, and smote on the coat of mail.
Quickly a certain seaman destroyed the earls
arm and hindered him
the fallow-hilted sword
fell to earth, nor could he hold the hard mace
nor wield weapons. Yet still the hoary war¬
rior spoke with words, encouraging the youths,
bidding the good companions go forth: nor
could he long stand firm upon his feet
he
looked to heaven . I thank Thee,Ruler of Nations, for all those pleasures
which I have enjoyed on this earth. Now,
merciful Creator, I am in the direst need that
Thou grant grace to my spirit, that my soul
may travel to Thee
travel with peace into Thy
kingdom, Prince of angels
I am praying Thee
that the hell-fiends may not heap ignominy
upon these, my people. Then the heathen
rascals hewed him down and both the men
who stood beside him, Elnoth and Wulfmaer,
both lay dead
there beside their lord they gave
up their lives. Then those who desired not to
be there, turned from the conflict. There were
the sons of Odda first in the flight. Godric
turned from the struggle and forsook the good
one, who many times had given him a horse

he mounted the horse, which his lord owned,
sprang into the trappings (which was not
right) and his brother with him, Godric and
Godwig, galloped away, heeding not the bat¬
tle. They turned from the conflict and sought
the woods, fled into the fastness and saved their
lives. Truly it were more honor to any man if
he were mindful of all the favors which his
lord had done for his honor. Thus Offa, earlier
in the day, said to them on the battlefield,
when he held a council, that there many spoke
courageously who at the crisis would not en¬
dure. Then fell the chief of the people, the
earl of iEthelred
all the retainers saw that
their lord lay dead. The haughty thanes turned
to the front, brave men hastened eagerly
they
all desired one of two things, either to forsake
life or to avenge their beloved chief. Thus
Elf wine, the son of Elf rie, a man young in years,
encouraged them, speaking in these words, call-
Source: http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/32632
Collection: Indiana State University Archives

Further information on this record can be found at its source.