'Battle Of Brunanburgh' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Athelstan King,
Lord among Earls,
Bracelet-bestower and
Baron of Barons,
He with his brother,
Edmund Atheling,
Gaining a lifelong
Glory in battle,
Slew with the sword-edge
There by Brunanburh,
Brake the shield-wall,
Hew'd the lindenwood,
Hack'd the battleshield,
Sons of Edward with hammer'd brands.
Theirs was a greatness
Got from their Grandsires--
Theirs that so often in
Strife with their enemies
Struck for their hoards and their hearths and their homes.
Bow'd the spoiler,
Bent the Scotsman,
Fell the shipcrews
Doom'd to the death.
All the field with blood of the fighters
Flow'd, from when first the great
Sun-star of morningtide,
Lamp of the Lord God
Lord everlasting,
Glode over earth till the glorious creature
Sank to his setting.
There lay many a man
Marr'd by the javelin,
Men of the Northland
Shot over shield.
There was the Scotsman
Weary of war.
We the West-Saxons,
Long as the daylight
Lasted, in companies
Troubled the track of the host that we hated;
Grimly with swords that were sharp from the grindstone
Fiercely we hack'd at the flyers before us.
Mighty the Mercian,
Hard was his hand-play,
Sparing not any of
Those that with Anlaf,
Warriors over the
Weltering waters
Borne in the bark's-bosom,
Drew to this island:
Doom'd to the death.
Five young kings put asleep by the sword-stroke,
Seven strong earls of the army of Anlaf
Fell on the war-field, numberless numbers,
Shipmen and Scotsmen.
Then the Norse leader,
Dire was his need of it,
Few were his following,
Fled to his warship;
Fleeted his vessel to sea with the king in it,
Saving his life on the fallow flood.
Also the crafty one,
Constantinus,
Crept to his north again,
Hoar-headed hero!
Slender warrant had
He to be proud of
The welcome of war-knives--
He that was reft of his
Folk and his friends that had
Fallen in conflict,
Leaving his son too
Lost in the carnage,
Mangled to morsels,
A youngster in war!
Slender reason had
He to be glad of
The clash of the war-glaive--
Traitor and trickster
And spurner of treaties--
He nor had Anlaf
With armies so broken
A reason for bragging
That they had the better
In perils of battle
On places of slaughter--
The struggle of standards,
The rush of the javelins,
The crash of the charges,
The wielding of weapons--
The play that they play'd with
The children of Edward.
Then with their nail'd prows
Parted the Norsemen, a
Blood-redden'd relic of
Javelins over
The jarring breaker, the deep-sea billow,
Shaping their way toward Dyflen again,
Shamed in their souls.
Also the brethren,
King and Atheling,
Each in his glory,
Went to his own in his own West-Saxonland,
Glad of the war.
Many a carcase they left to be carrion,
Many a livid one, many a sallow-skin--
Left for the white-tail'd eagle to tear it, and
Left for the horny-nibb'd raven to rend it, and
Gave to the garbaging war-hawk to gorge it, and
That gray beast, the wolf of the weald.
Never had huger
Slaughter of heroes
Slain by the sword-edge--
Such as old writers
Have writ of in histories--
Hapt in this isle, since
Up from the East hither
Saxon and Angle from
Over the broad billow
Broke into Britain with
Haughty war-workers who
Harried the Welshman, when
Earls that were lured by the
Hunger of glory gat
Hold of the land.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Battle of Brunanburgh: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "The Battle of Brunanburgh" is a poem that captures the essence of the Anglo-Saxon culture and history. It recounts the events of a fierce battle between the Anglo-Saxon army and an alliance of Vikings and Scots in the year 937 AD. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic writing, weaving together vivid descriptions of the battlefield, powerful imagery, and a masterful use of language to create a deeply moving and memorable work of art.
The Poem's Historical Context
Before diving into an analysis of the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context that inspired it. The Battle of Brunanburgh was a real event that took place in the year 937 AD. It was fought between the Anglo-Saxon army, led by King Athelstan, and an alliance of Vikings and Scots. The battle was a decisive victory for the Anglo-Saxons and is considered to be one of the most important battles in English history.
The events of the battle were chronicled in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record of events in England from the late 9th to the mid-12th century. Tennyson drew heavily on this source material in crafting his poem, and many of the details and descriptions in the poem are drawn directly from the Chronicle.
The Poem's Structure and Language
"The Battle of Brunanburgh" is a long poem, consisting of 78 stanzas of varying lengths. It is written in a form known as alliterative verse, which was common in Old English poetry. In alliterative verse, the first stressed syllable in each line alliterates with one or more of the stressed syllables in the same line. This gives the poem a distinctive rhythm and sound, and Tennyson uses it masterfully to create a sense of momentum and power.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with Tennyson using a wide range of poetic techniques to create a vivid and memorable picture of the battle. He uses imagery to create a sense of the chaos and violence of the battlefield, describing the clash of swords and the cries of the wounded and dying.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "The Battle of Brunanburgh" is a poem about the struggle for power and dominance. The Anglo-Saxon army is fighting to defend their kingdom and their way of life against the invading Vikings and Scots. The poem celebrates the bravery and heroism of the Anglo-Saxon warriors, and portrays them as noble defenders of their land and people.
However, the poem also acknowledges the humanity of the enemy. Tennyson describes the Vikings and Scots as fierce and powerful warriors, but also as fathers and sons who will be mourned by their families back home. He acknowledges that the enemy is not a faceless horde, but rather a group of real people with their own motivations and desires.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of religious imagery and allusions. Tennyson portrays the battle as a struggle between good and evil, with the Anglo-Saxons fighting on the side of righteousness and the Vikings and Scots as agents of darkness and chaos. This religious imagery is used to create a sense of moral clarity and purpose, and to frame the battle as a righteous crusade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Battle of Brunanburgh" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the Anglo-Saxon culture and history. Tennyson's use of language, imagery, and poetic techniques creates a vivid and memorable picture of the battle, and his interpretation of the events reflects the values and beliefs of the time. The poem remains an important work of literature, both for its historical significance and its enduring artistic merit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Battle of Brunanburgh is a classic poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. This poem is a masterpiece of literature that tells the story of a fierce battle that took place in the year 937 AD between the English and the Vikings. The poem is a celebration of the English victory over the Vikings and is considered one of the greatest poems in English literature.
The poem begins with a description of the Viking army, which is described as a fierce and savage force. The Vikings are portrayed as a group of warriors who are determined to conquer England and destroy the English people. The English, on the other hand, are portrayed as a brave and determined force that is willing to fight to the death to defend their land and their people.
The Battle of Brunanburgh is a poem that is full of action and excitement. The battle scenes are vividly described, and the reader can almost feel the heat of the battle and the adrenaline rush of the warriors as they fight for their lives. The poem is also full of powerful imagery that helps to bring the battle to life.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is the description of the Viking ships as they approach the English coast. The ships are described as "sea-wood" that is "hewn and carved with the sword." This image is a powerful reminder of the Viking's skill as shipbuilders and their determination to conquer England.
Another powerful image in the poem is the description of the English warriors as they prepare for battle. The warriors are described as "the flower of the land" who are "eager for the fray." This image is a powerful reminder of the English people's determination to defend their land and their way of life.
The Battle of Brunanburgh is also a poem that is full of historical significance. The battle that is described in the poem was a real battle that took place in the year 937 AD. The battle was fought between the English and the Vikings, and it was a decisive victory for the English. The victory at Brunanburgh helped to establish the English as a dominant force in Europe and helped to secure their position as a major power in the world.
The poem is also significant because it is a celebration of English identity and culture. The English warriors are portrayed as brave and determined, and their victory over the Vikings is seen as a triumph of English values and traditions. The poem is a celebration of the English people and their way of life, and it is a powerful reminder of the importance of national identity and pride.
In conclusion, the Battle of Brunanburgh is a classic poem that is full of action, excitement, and historical significance. The poem is a celebration of English identity and culture, and it is a powerful reminder of the importance of national identity and pride. The Battle of Brunanburgh is a masterpiece of literature that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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