Historical Footnotes ~ Bloody Bruanburh

At the Battle of Brunanburh, the Norsemen, in league with Constantine of Scotland, a horde of Irish Vikings under Olaf and other sundry elements met the King of Wessex, Aethelstan, in battle. By all accounts the battle was horrific; beginning in the morning and continuing until the sun set. Five Norse Kings died, and 7 Earls. Such was the slaughter that it was called the Great Battle in those days.

Then the dark raven with horned beak,

and the livid toad, the eagle and kite,

the hound and wolf in mottled hue,

were long refreshed by these delicacies.

In this land no greater war was ever waged,

nor did such a slaughter ever surpass that one.

But of passing interest is the legend of the Bishop Oda of Ramsbury who was reportedly at the battle. At one point Aethelstan's lost or broke his blade, and the Bishop produced one "miraculously.