The Battle of Ashingdon (1016)

The Battle of 'Assandun' was fought in the Essex countryside in the year 1016 between the armies of Edmund Ironside, King of England, and Canute, King of Denmark. Although the site is disputed (Ashingdon and Ashdon being the principal claimant locations), tradition has it that Edmund, defending his country, had taken up a position on Ashingdon Hill and Canute, invading it, had taken up a position on Canewdon Hill, two miles to the north-east. The two armies could see one another from their respective encampments. The stakes were high: the victor would be King of England. Ian Yearsley commemorates the Battle in this epic poem, written between 1991 and 2006 in the classic tradition of Anglo-Saxon storytelling poetry .

Please support the Battle of Assandun Commemoration campaign (BASH), which seeks to raise awareness of the Battle in time for its 1000th anniversary in 2016.

Book Cover for The Battle of Ashingdon Number of pages: 16
Number of illustrations: 0
ISBN: N/A
Publisher: Ian Yearsley
Publication date: October 2006
Price: £1.20

 

What the critics had to say about "The Battle of Ashingdon"

"[Ian's] diligent writing and research has resulted in a widespread reputation... He has written and published an impressive epic poem in the style of the Anglo-Saxon bards..."
Southend Evening Echo

"Congratulations... on both the poetry and the fullness of the account. I've not seen anything so detailed about the battle before."
Leigh Reader

"If this book had been available when I was teaching, I would definitely have used it in the classroom."
Former Ashingdon schoolteacher

The opening verse of The Battle of Ashingdon

Prelude to the Battle of Ashingdon (1016):

The English Camp

 

The sunrise seared his eyes and made him squint:

The distant stirrings on Canewdon Hill

Told Edmund peace would not prevail until

The clammy clay had gained a crimson tint.

 

The night had veiled the vista from his view:

He knew Canute could not be caught 'til dawn,

Was eagerly expectant for the morn,

With which would come the victory for the few.

 

The swordsman at his side surveyed the scene:

The rising sun bathed both sides in its light.

‘The soldiers are prepared, sir, for the fight.’

The brusque response was clipped and clear and clean:

 

‘The Dane dwells on our land, which must be freed.

Advance and teach him what becomes of greed.’

 

(© Ian Yearsley, 1991-2009)

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