BattlefieldsBattle of Maldon 991
Early Medieval

Battle of Maldon 991

991
Essex, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Essex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Essex (Byrhtnoth)
Forces
c.3,000 Essex militia under Byrhtnoth
VS
Victor
Vikings (Olaf Tryggvason)
Forces
c.2,000-4,000 Vikings under Olaf
Outcome
Byrhtnoth killed; English militia destroyed; tribute paid; celebrated in Old English poem
The Battle

History & Significance

Maldon was the most celebrated English defeat of the second Viking age; Byrhtnoth allowed the Vikings onto the causeway out of martial pride and was killed with his retinue fighting to the last.

Casualties & Losses

Byrhtnoth and most of his hearth troop killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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