Fight or Flight, every man faces it in his lifetime. In that choice we define the rest of our lives. For Brythnoth that moment was 993 AD, against the Vikings.

The Long Serpent made it's appearance over the horizon despite the prayers of the British, on the Essex Coast, “Save us, O Lord, from the fury of the Northmen!” A prospering country, divided into tiny kingdoms that were undermanned and under defended, stood a ready prey for the Vikings of the 10th Century.

Already a victim of raiding Northmen, the forays into Britain's coast had increased both in number and intensity. The people fearing not only for their lives and their country, had sacrificed enough gold, food, and men to last a lifetime. It was time to stand against the Sea Dragons, or War Wolves.

It was the year 993 AD, and this resounding defeat at the Battle of Maldon, resonates down to our day for it's meaning of what men everywhere consider to be their greatest possession, their freedom to live in peace and follow the dictates of their conscience.

It began that morning with the arrival of just under a hundred Viking ships. The day erupted with decorous threats from the Vikings. “Swift striking seamen...bid me say...send them rings and bracelets...rather than engage us in cruel combat...we offer a truce in exchange for gold! ...Render to the Vikings what they think is right...and we will... hold you as friends.” Friends indeed!

Brythnoth, the Earl of Essex, was ready to defend his land to the last man. Being of Viking descent himself, he called back to those “Sea Wolves” with these words. “Hear Sea Wanderer what this nation says. These men will give you spears as tribute...it would be a pity if you were to take our riches without a fight...first point and edge will sort things out between us!”

At the start of the fighting it could scarcely be called a battle, since three men, Aelfhere, Maccus and Wulfstan, defended the causeway leading to land against the Danes.

Viking insults turned into flattery, as the Danes seemed unable to get to land and actually begin a battle.

Maybe it was a lapse in judgment, or just a sense of honesty that led to this act of “fair play”, but when the Vikings cried out for battle on an open field, Brythnoth agreed, and in doing so sealed his own fate.

He fought brilliantly and strongly, but couldn't escape several wounds, and finally he was beheaded by the Northmen.

Stunned at the loss of their leader, some would have fled the field with their dwindling numbers, but an old Englishman cried out in resolve that none should flee the field after so noble a leader had given his life!

By the end of the day, nearly all the combatants on the English side were dead, and the Danes left with a huge sum of silver as their pay, and Brythnoth's head. Yet, spite of his death, it didn't resonate with the English people as a defeat, and they sang of his bravery, and speak of him with pride to this day.