Battle of Brunanburh
Overview
The Battle of Brunanburh was a significant battle fought in 937 CE between the combined forces of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, led by King Athelstan, and an alliance of Norse, Scottish, and Welsh armies, led by the Norse King Anlaf Guthfrithson. The battle was fought near the town of Brunanburh, which some believe to be located in modern-day Yorkshire, England. The battle is notable for being one of the largest and most significant battles fought in England during the Anglo-Saxon period and for securing the unity of England under one ruler.
Historical Context
The origins of the battle can be traced back to the death of King Athelstan’s father, King Edward the Elder, in 924 CE. At the time of Edward’s death, the kingdom of England was divided into several smaller kingdoms, and Athelstan inherited only a portion of it. In the following years, Athelstan waged a series of successful military campaigns against the neighboring kingdoms, gradually expanding his territory and consolidating his power.
A depiction of the Viking king Anlaff leading his fleet up the Humber before the Battle of Brunanburh.
In 937, Athelstan faced a new threat to his power, in the form of a coalition of Norse, Scottish, and Welsh forces. The Norse forces were led by King Anlaf Guthfrithson, a grandson of the famous Viking leader, Ivar the Boneless. The Scottish and Welsh forces were led by King Constantine II of Scotland and King Owen of Strathclyde, respectively. The exact reasons behind the alliance are unclear, but it is believed that they were united by a desire to stop the expansion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
Image: Alfred Pearseː The great battle of Brunanburh in 937 (Hutchinsons Story of the British Nation, 1922)
The Battle
The battle itself was a brutal affair, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Anglo-Saxon forces were able to gain the upper hand, thanks in part to the superior discipline and tactics of their army. The Norse forces were forced to retreat, with many of their soldiers killed or captured. King Anlaf himself narrowly escaped capture, reportedly fleeing the battlefield disguised as a peasant. The aftermath of the battle was significant, as it secured the unity of England under one ruler. Athelstan’s victory cemented his power and established the Anglo-Saxon kingdom as the dominant force in the region.
Cultural Significance
The cultural significance of the battle can also be seen in the numerous poems and songs that were inspired by the event. The most famous of these is The Battle of Brunanburh, an Old English poem that celebrates the bravery and courage of the Anglo-Saxon soldiers and portrays the battle as a defining moment in English history. The poem has been studied and analyzed by scholars for its literary value, and is considered one of the most important pieces of Anglo-Saxon literature.
In addition to its literary and cultural significance, the Battle of Brunanburh also had important political and military implications, as it helped to establish England as a powerful force in Europe and paved the way for further expansion and conquest. The battle’s lasting impact on English culture and identity has ensured that it remains an important symbol of the country’s cultural and political heritage to this day.
Battle of Brunanburh
The Battle of Brunanburh is an Old English poem that is a celebration of Athelstan’s victory over the Viking and Celtic armies, and portrays the battle as a defining moment in the history of England.
The poem begins by describing the various tribes and kingdoms that made up the Viking and Celtic alliance, including the Scots, the Welsh, and the Norsemen. The poem then introduces King Athelstan and his army, describing them as a powerful force united under a common cause.
The battle is described in vivid detail, with the poem focusing on the bravery and courage of the Anglo-Saxon soldiers. The poem describes the clash of weapons, the shouting and screaming of the soldiers, and the blood and gore of the battlefield.
Despite the fierce fighting, Athelstan’s army emerges victorious, and the poem celebrates the triumph of English unity over rival forces. The poem ends with a celebratory tone, describing Athelstan as a hero and a king who has secured the safety and prosperity of his people.
Image: Cotton MS Tiberius B I, f141v: a fragment of the Battle of Brunanburh poem dealing with Constantine of Scotland.
Cotton MS Tiberius B I, f141v: a fragment of the Battle of Brunanburh poem dealing with Constantine of Scotland.
Location
Despite its historical significance, the exact location of the Battle of Brunanburh remains a subject of debate among historians. The town of Brunanburh itself has never been definitively identified, and several different locations have been suggested over the years. Nevertheless, the battle remains an important event in English history, symbolizing the emergence of a unified English nation and the triumph of Anglo-Saxon culture over rival forces.
In addition to its literary and cultural significance, the Battle of Brunanburh also had important political and military implications, as it helped to establish England as a powerful force in Europe and paved the way for further expansion and conquest. The battle’s lasting impact on English culture and identity has ensured that it remains an important symbol of the country’s cultural and political heritage to this day.
Related Topics
Further Research & Sources
Free-Online Version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle – https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/657
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Battle-of-Brunanburh/
Giles, J.A., ed. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: According to the Several Original Authorities. Vol. 1. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.
The Battle of Brunanburh. Edited by Alistair Campbell. London: Heinemann, 1938.
Egil’s Saga. Translated by Bernard Scudder. London: Penguin, 2004.
Foot, Sarah. Æthelstan: The First King of England. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.
Goldman, Lawrence. “The Battle of Brunanburh and the Carnage of the Vikings.” Journal of English and Germanic Philology 84, no. 1 (1985): 1-18.
Keynes, Simon, and Michael Lapidge. Alfred the Great: Asser’s Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources. London: Penguin, 1983.
Morris, Marc. The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, 400-1066. New York: Pegasus Books Ltd., 2021.
Rollason, David. Northumbria, 500-1100: Creation and Destruction of a Kingdom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Stenton, Frank. Anglo-Saxon England. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.