The Battle Of Maldon: Cultural And Political Ideas Of Medieval England

As a poem about a tenth century battle, “The Battle of Maldon” gives a glimpse of the cultural and political ideas of medieval England. The poem shows evidence that medieval societies greatly admired and expected virtues, such as honor, loyalty, courage, and obedience. They believed in a hierarchy or pecking order in their culture and adhered to it. People with a corporate worldview held these virtues in high regard. Modern societies can identify with these qualities also. The Anglo-Saxon royalty was in a weaken state and could not defend their kingdom. This duty fell to the lords and knights of the region to protect their own castles and people. The battle occurred between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. At the beginning of
The knights displayed virtues seen today in gangs, armies, sports teams, and politics. People need to feel they belong to a group, especially a group in which members share the same interest and concerns. For example, gangs are loyal to their leaders. Politicians are loyal to their parties. Just as warriors and armies in the poem wanted glory on the battlefield and the treasures of a victory; sports teams, and armies look for that same glory for themselves and their country. Leaders of armies and political parties expect obedience from their followers. The poem highlights the hierarchy of their society. The lord gives his men riches and protection. In return, they give loyalty to the lord and if need their lives. Gangs and, to some degree, political parties put great emphasis on this same loyalty. Of course, armies depend on this hierarchy on the battleground to promote obedience and decrease the chance of
It was easy to express loyalty to one’s king or lord but a different thing for a man to fight to his death. Many boasted about their honor, bravery in the poem but some did not live up to that ideal. Some warriors did not keep their word of honor to their leader. It was easy to profess loyalty to one’s king or lord. In reality, it was hard to deliver on that promise. Cowardliness and breaking one’s promise was shameful and one had to live with the shame for life. By looking at the warriors’ qualities in the poem and with comparing them with modern societies, one can understand which attributes were important to a medieval society, and how their culture viewed the structure of their society. They valued their God, King, and Lord; and they obeyed each of them. There were leaders such as kings and lords. The knights had their place and the vassals or peasants served their superior. In return for showing courage, self-sacrifice, honor, loyalty the warriors or people received protection, wealth, and a sense of belonging or unity. They also desired and gained favor with God. Glory, either in this life or in heaven, was a driving force for people in the medieval ages. A victory, whether personal or for the kingdom, was very important. A medieval warrior would endure physical and mental hardships to secure a win during a time in history when war and despair was widely