Battle Of Brunanburgh

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Narrative Poem
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.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This epic poem is a vivid account of a historical battle, bringing to life the intensity, violence, and glory of warfare in the past. The tone is highly celebratory, glorifying the victorious West-Saxons and their leaders, Athelstan King and Edmund Atheling. The theme is not only the valor and strength of these figures, but also the inheritance of greatness from their ancestors, as well as the inevitable casualties of war.

The poem is structured with a strong rhythmic form and employs alliteration extensively, which gives it a musical, chanting quality. This is reminiscent of the oral tradition of reciting heroic deeds. The language is richly descriptive and uses powerful metaphorical imagery, such as the 'sun-star of morningtide' representing the start of the battle, and 'nail'd prows' symbolizing the retreating Norsemen. The poem also uses personification, such as 'the white-tail'd eagle' and 'the horny-nibb'd raven' tearing at the bodies left behind, adding a stark, grim realism to the aftermath of the battle.

This poem captures the spirit of a time when warfare was a significant part of life and was seen as a path to glory. It portrays the harsh realities of battle, the pride in victory, and the shared history of a people. At the same time, the poet does not shy away from depicting the heavy cost of such victories, leaving the reader with both a sense of awe and a sobering reminder of the human cost of war.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.