Old English literature There are five shorter poems: capture of the Five Boroughs (942); coronation of King Edgar (973); death of King Edgar (975); death of Alfred the son of King Æthelred (1036); and death of King Edward the Confessor (1065). The 325 line poem "The Battle of Maldon" celebrates Earl Byrhtnoth and his men who fell in battle against the Vikings in 991. It is considered one of the finest, but both the beginning and end are missing and the only manuscript was destroyed in a fire in 1731. A well-known speech is near the end of the poem: Old English heroic
Iste confessor the day whereon the Lord’s true witness trns John O’Conner 1902 <poem> 1 This is the day whereon the Lord’s true witness, 2 Loving, far-seeing, lowly, modest minded, 3 Oft hath it been thro’ his sublime deserving 4 Wherefore to him we raise the solemn chorus, 5 Healing and power, grace and beauteous honour </poem> The Confessor of Christ, from Shore to Shore trn Fr. Edwards Caswall, 1849 <poem> 1 The Confessor of Christ, from shore to shore 2 Holy and innocent were all his ways; 3 Ofttimes his merits high in every land, 4 Therefore to him triumphant praise