Yet the battle of Maldon has almost no historical significance. Probably no more than a couple dozen men died. The battle is not taught in military schools because the military strategies on both sides were crude, even foolish. The Vikings, who won, left no cultural impact because they quickly moved on. There were other towns to conquer.
Today there exists no remains or archeological evidence at the site.
Unlike all the other battles between the Saxons and the Vikings, the battle of Maldon was witnessed by an unknown Anglo-Saxon epic poet, who wrote his impressions of it. The anonymous writer relates in Old English poetic meter exact details of the fight, including names, strategy, quotes, and deeds. Evidently this author possessed a keen passion for history. His work is a chronicle clearly intending that the words and deeds of those involved never be forgotten. The Battle of Maldon is a treasure because it is the purest existing depiction of the Nordic heroic spirit and its values of loyalty, honor, and personal valor.