Battle of Maldon, if only for the epic poem written about it
Here's a brief translated excerpt:
Then went forth the proud thanes,
Brave men - hastened eagerly,
And willed they all - for one of two things:
Their lives to lose, or their loved lord to avenge.
Thus urged them forth the son of Aelfric,
A warrior young in winters - with words he spake,
Aelfwin thus said - boldly he spoke,
"Think ye of the times when we oft spake at mead
When we on the benches did raise up our boast,
Henchmen in the hall - about hard strife,
Now may each one make trial of how bold he be.
Now will I tell my lineage to all
That I was in Mercia of a mighty kindred
Mine old father - Aldhelm was hight,
An alderman wise - and rich in wealth;
Nor shall the thanes mid the people reproach me,
That I would consent to flee from this fight,
My home to seek, now my lord lieth low,
Slain in the strife; but yet it most grieves me
For that he was both - my kinsman and my lord."
Then went he forth - full mindful of the feud,
So that with his spear one he slew.
A pirate 'mong his people - that he fell to the earth.
Slain by his weapon. He 'gan to urge on
His comrades and friends - that they should go forth.
Offa spake, his spear-shaft shook,
"Lo thou, Aelfwin, hast all heartened
Thanes at need - now our lord lieth,
The earl on the earth - for us all is need
That each one of us should hearten the other
Warrior to war, while he his weapon may
Have and hold, his hard blade,
His spear and good sword - for Godric hath us,
Odda's coward son, all betrayed.
For many men thought when he rode off on the mare,
On that proud steed, that he was our lord.
And for that cause are the folk scattered over the field
The shield wall broken. May his plan come to nought!
For that he so many men hath set to flight."
Leofsund spoke, his buckler uphove,
His shield for safety - and that man answered,
"I do promise this, that I will not hence
Fly a foot's step, but shall further go
To avenge in the war my friendly lord.
Then shall not need in Sturmere the steadfast soldiers
To twit me with words, now my friend is fall'n,
For that I returned home without my lord,
Turned from the battle, but the sword shall take me,
The point and the steel." And he, most wroth, departed.
Fought steadfastly - flight he despised.
Dunmer then spoke - shook his spear,
A humble churl - called out above all,
Bade each warrior - "Brithnoth avenge!
Now may not go he who thinketh to avenge
His friend among the folk, nor mourn for his life."
