The Battle of Maldon 2014
On the eve of November 16th, 2014, a raiding force of vikings landed on Northey Island. Lead by Jósteinn Eiríksson, they demanded tribute from the town of Maldon, but Byrhtnóð ealdorman gathered a force of brave warriors to stand against the raiders. Standing on opposite sides of Southey Creek, both forces blocking off their side of the narrow crossing, it quickly become apparent neither side would make any fast progress.
However, always hungry for glory, Jósteinn tried to push his way over as the tide receded revealing enough of the crossing for a sizeable force to stand upon. This attempt was cut short as the brave Engle held their ground, repelling and pushing back the viking forces. Seeing the futility of trying to force his way across, Jósteinn decided to parlay with Byrhtnóð, arguing that the vikings would simply go raid elsewhere. Seeing the obvious threat to his homeland, Byrhtnóð valiantly allowed the vikings to cross.
A heated open battle ensued on the outskirts of Maldon. Byrhtnóð fell in this epic clash, though it is said he took two dozen vikings with him. Without his command, the rest of the English army soon fell as well, leaving the way to Maldon open. Weary from the battle, yet spurred on by the promise of gold, Jósteinn lead the raiders towards the town. Arriving there he however noticed that the surviving English forces had gathered those villagers willing to defend their homes and were ready to face the vikings in combat to save their town from ruin.
Enraged by the townsfolks boldness, though admiring their tenacity, Jósteinn ordered the town burned. Burn the houses did, flames rising 20 meters in the air, yet the defenders spirited away their valuables into a small barn. Seeing them focus on the barn, the raiders attacked, not too worried about the losses they had incurred burning the village. In the spirit of Byrhtnóð, the valiant defence proved too hard for the weakened viking forces to overcome, eventually forcing them to retreat from the town, swearing revenge. Amongst the many dead that day was Jósteinn Eiríksson, felled by the enraged villagers after being recognised as the viking leader.
Ps: Thanks very much to everyone who participated in the event, feel free to post any feedback, screenshots and videos you have on this thread! Special thanks to Þorfinnr Arnarins for leading the Vikingar side, Wernicke for acting as the public host leader under him, Æscwine Fyrninga for leading the Engle side and Rallix for guiding the english public host. Also thank you to Hrotha and Þorkell for helping with the hosting. And of course to Éadríc Fyrninga for making the battle map. Couldn't have done this without any of you.