hailed as a “gay champion,” a brave pioneer writing
homosexual verse. Still other reassessments have
astutely fi tted Barnfi eld’s work into the pastoral tradi-
tion. The most recent research blends these latter
responses, and criticism of Barnfi eld’s works has
become increasingly sensitive and appreciative.
See also CYNTHIA WITH CERTAIN SONNETS; ENCOMIUM.
FURTHER READING
Giantvalley, Scott. “Barnfi eld, Drayton, and Marlowe:
Homoeroticism and Homosexuality in Elizabethan Litera-
ture.” Pacifi c Coast Philology 16 (1981): 9–24.
Klawitter, George, ed. Richard Barnfi eld: The Complete Poems.
Selinsgrove, Pa.: Susquehanna University Press, 2001.
Worrall, Andrew. “Richard Barnfi eld: A New Biography.”
N&Q 39 (1992): 370–371.
“BATTLE OF ARGOED LLWYFAIN,
THE” TALIESIN (late sixth century) This poem,
contained in the Book of Taliesin, is one of the oldest
poems in Welsh. It recounts a mid-sixth century battle
between Owain mab Urien, son of the king of Rheged,
and the men of Bernicia under Ffl amddwyn (Fire-
brand), possibly the Anglian king Theodric. Owain
taunts the “fourfold hosts of Ffl amddwyn,” all of whom
Owain defeats and slaughters, demonstrating his prow-
ess as a speaker and a warrior. The poet uses the his-
toric present to make the battle feel real as the two
leaders yell insults at each other. Owain incites his men
into a battle frenzy, from which they emerge victori-
ous. Even the ravens are pleased, as they end up cov-
ered in gore from their grisly meals. Bards often
accompanied battle parties so they would be able to
provide immediate and living monuments to the lead-
er’s deeds, so this may be an eyewitness account.
See also TALIESIN; “WAR-BAND’S RETURN, THE.”
FURTHER READING
Koch, John, and John Carey. The Celtic Heroic Age. Malden,
Mass.: Celtic Studies Publishing, 2003.
Bradford Lee Eden
BATTLE OF MALDON, THE ANONYMOUS
(991) The Battle of Maldon describes an engagement
between English and Danish Viking forces that took
place on the River Blackwater three miles south of Mal-
don, Essex, on August 10 or 11, 991. Though the
poem details a historical defeat, The Battle of Maldon’s
importance comes not from its celebration of how the
English forces fought, but rather how they died. The
text epitomizes the medieval heroic code, resulting in a
moral victory for the English forces.
Little is known of the anonymous author, though it
has long been surmised that the poet may have been a
witness to or participant in the battle itself, or was
familiar with someone who was. The poem’s accuracy
of events has been little questioned, and while it is
probable that the poem exaggerates events, the battle
probably took place as was recorded. The poem sur-
vived in only one manuscript, which was destroyed by
fi re in 1731, though fortunately a copy had been made
a few years prior. It falls into the heroic genre and tra-
dition of ANGLO-SAXON POETRY, though it is not typical
of that genre. First, it celebrates a defeat, and not a vic-
tory; second, the poem’s description of the battle is
atypical of similar works, such as The Battle of Brunan-
burh. The poem also has some metrical irregularities
and utilizes patterns of rhyme and rhythm not typi-
cally found in classical heroic-tradition works; none-
theless, its subject is very heroic in matter, though
there is also an element of ELEGY to it as well.
The poem, which is missing a few lines at both its
beginning and end, commences with BYRTHNOTH, the
leader of the English force, marshalling his men and
issuing instructions in how to best defend the land
from the Vikings. The Vikings have come to demand
danegeld, or tribute in the form of gold, in exchange
for not attacking the English. Byrthnoth has no inten-
tion of paying them, and confl ict ensues. However, the
English have the Vikings bottled up on a causeway,
which prevents the full Viking force from attacking.
Limited to small assaults, it seems likely that the
Vikings will grow frustrated and eventually leave.
This is when the Danes resort to guile. They ask per-
mission of Byrthnoth to cross the river, and the English
general allows them. He does so because of his OFER-
MOD, a word that is often translated into meaning “too
much honor” or “too much pride.” It is unclear exactly
what the poet is referring to here; it may be that the
poet is criticizing Byrthnoth, who is arrogant enough
to believe that his English force might prove victoriousBATTLE OF MALDON, THE 75