Forest of Rossendale. 1 7 



the belief that its position was of the last importance, so much of 

 the remains of this extraordinary work which still exists, affords 

 sufficient evidence. 



The battle of Brunanburh settled for the time being the position 

 of the Danes in the land ; the Saxon arms were completely victo- 

 rious. The battle raged from early morn till sunset, amid fearful 

 carnage, the best blood of the country being shed. Five sea-kings, 

 seven jarls, and many thousands of brave warriors were sacrificed 

 in the strife. 



" Here Athelstan, king, of earls the lord, of barons the bracelet- 

 giver, and eke his brother, Edmund Etheling, won life-long glory in 

 battle, with edges of swords, near Brunanburh. 



" They clove the board-wall, they hewed the war-lindens. Off- 

 spring of Edward they, in battle oft, 'gainst every foe the land 

 defended— its hoard.s and its homes. Such was their noble 

 natures, derived from their fathers. The foe they crushed ; the 

 Scottish people and the shipmen fated fell. 



"The field reek'd with warriors' blood, since the sun was up at 

 morning-tide. The mighty planet, God's candle bright, the eternal 

 Lord's, glided o'er the grounds, till the noble creature sank to her 

 settle. There lay many a warrior by javelins strewed ; northern 

 men, shot over shields ; also Scots, weary and war-sad. 



" West-Saxons onwards, in bands, throughout the day, pursued 

 the footsteps of the loathed nations. They hewed the fugitives 

 behind, amain, with swords mill-sharp. Mercians refused not the 

 hard hand-play to any heroes who, with Anlaf, over the ocean in 

 the ship's bosom, this land sought, fated to the fight. 



" Five lay on the battle-stead, youthful kings, by sword in slum- 

 ber laid ; so seven eke of Anlaff's earls ; shipmen and Scots of 

 the army countless. 



" There was made to flee the Northmen's chieftain ; by need 

 constrained to the ship's prow with a little band. The bark drove 

 afloat. The king, outgoing on the fallow flood, his life preserved. 

 So there, also, Constantine, hoary warrior, came by flight to his 



