Duke Laurelyn's Lay of the Midrealm Kings includes an historical note about a battle at an early Pennsic, with about one hundred fighters on a side, fought on Runestone Hill. It seems that the field battle turned into a debacle and the Middle's forces were shattered in the early going. A handful of survivors managed to retreat up the hill and assembled waiting for the much larger Eastern force to reform and advance. The Earl Marshal of the Middle turned to Crown Prince Moonwulf and reported that the King had fallen and the remaining Middle Kingdom force awaited His Royal Highness' orders.

The tactical situation was straight-forward. The outnumbered Midrealm force had no hope of victory, but by standing firm on the high ground they could force the Eastrealm to charge uphill. In such a situation the Midrealm would be able to inflict greater casualties than on level ground. The outcome would not change, but the victory would prove more costly to the East.

Moonwulf took in the situation, pointed to the Eastern lines below and said to his Earl Marshal, "There's the short road to glory". He then charged down the hill, with his band of warriors at his heels.

Moonwulf of course died like a bug, as did the remainder of his force. History does not record who slew Moonwulf in his charge; who really cares? The fact worth recording is that Moonwulf charged, not that he fell.

 

 

 

Borrowed with respect from Hector of the Black Height's On the Mechanics of the Bardic Arts within the SCA