| “ | To battle! For Christ, for Wessex and for England! | ” |
The Battle of Marton (alternatively "Merton", "Meretun", or "Meretum") is a decisive military engagement. It depicts the confrontation between King Harald's forces and the army of Wessex, led by King Alfred and Ubbe. The event takes place in Season 5 Episode 15, Hell.
Prelude[]
Following the arrival of King Harald's forces in Wessex, King Alfred decides to meet him in battle, following the advice of his new military counselor, Ubbe. Ubbe tells Alfred that this will allow their side to choose the site of the battlefield. Ubbe's strategy is to corner Harald's army by setting parts of the battlefield on fire. This gives the Vikings practically no escape on their rear, and gives the Saxon forces increased moral and determination.
Upon arriving in England, King Harald went to York, where he increased the size of his army through an alliance with Jarl Olavsonn, Ivar's lieutenant in command of York. When their combined forces arrive in Wessex, they number close to 2,000 warriors, many of them veterans of the Great Heathen Army's First Invasion a few years earlier. King Harald is confident of their victory. Before the battle begins, King Harald gains a new ally in the form of Magnus, the bastard son of Ragnar and Queen Kwenthrith. He despises the Christian faith and the Saxons for exiling him during his youth for his parentage.
The West Saxon Army is full of confidence themselves, and bolstered by their success over King Harald's army at the Battle of the Alre River. They have gained new fighting skills from their Viking allies, most notable from Ubbe. He has also inspired King Alfred to fight as a king for his crown and taught him how to fight like a Viking.
The Battle[]
Ubbe's battle strategy is inspired by what he witnessed during the Battle of the Seine. He has instructed Alfred to build catapults to use in the upcoming battle.
After their leaders' speeches, both armies rushed forward to meet. As they collided, vicious hand-to-hand combat begins. Once the Viking Army was trapped on the battlefield, he ordered the prepared field set on fire. The flames covered the length of the battlefield and the rear of the Viking forces, making escape practically impossible. Ubbe ordered the Saxons to use their newly constructed catapults to throw flaming boulders at the Vikings, inflicting massive casualties.
Jarl Olavsonn was one of the first to fall, struck by two arrows. Gunnhild tried to round up some fleeing Norse troops while Ubbe took down several men with his axe and sword. Magnus showed some fighting skills too, taking down the West Saxon standard bearer while in a battle fury. Meanwhile, King Alfred managed to take down a couple of Vikings before being pushed to the floor by a Norse warrior, only to be saved by his brother Prince Æthelred who shouted, "Long live the king!"
As the fighting continued, Bishop Heahmund slaughtered dozens of enemy warriors with his usual fighting skills, until, in a moment of respite, he is struck by several arrows while Lagertha watches with surprise and horror. Her moment of distraction caused her take a sword cut to the leg, as she watched Heahmund be finished off by Gunnhild.
Harald watches as his troops being to give ground and large numbers of his warriors are slaughtered by the Saxons soldiers. He eventually and reluctantly gives the order to retreat, making the Saxons victorious. Gunnhild is forced to surrender to Björn after he defeats her in single combat. She then becomes his captive.
Aftermath[]
The battle was heavy with consequence for the Viking Army. Not only did King Harald lose a third to half of his army, but also the death of his new ally Jarl Olavsonn, with whom he had planned to overthrow King Ivar in Kattegat. Harald is no longer in a position of strength to attack either Wessex or Kattegat, thereby fulfilling his plan of becoming King of all Norway.
The West Saxons, despite suffering relatively moderate losses, was deprived of their best warrior with the death of Bishop Heahmund. Furthermore, Lagertha disappeared from the battlefield, leaving King Alfred with one less important ally. However, this decisive victory renewed the Saxon fighting spirit and determination, saving Wessex once more and protecting King Alfred's crown.
Trivia[]
- Historically, Hvitserk was the one leading the Great Heathen Army in this battle, not King Harald.
