Northey Island
| Northey Island | |
 Northey Island from the air | |
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| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL868056 |
| Data | |
| Population: | 0 |
Northey Island is an island in the estuary of the River Blackwater, Essex. It is linked to the south bank of the river by a causeway, covered for two hours either side of high tide. The island is approximately a mile and a half to the east of Maldon, Essex and the same to the west of Osea Island.
The whole island and part of the bank near the causeway are now a Nature Reserve. It is uninhabited apart from the warden. The island belongs to the National Trust.
The isle is flat and marshy, cut through with tidal channels. It is a haven for wildlife.
Remarkably, there is a house on the island, built by Norman Angell, the early twentieth century essayist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1933. It is maintained by the National Trust, with a well-kept garden enclosed by an ornate wall, and is available for holiday lets.
The Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon, 991 is believed to have taken place on the south bank near the island. The epic poem recounting the battle tells that the Danish raiders landed on an island in the River Pant (the Blackwater) and as they waited for the tide to ebb to allow them to cross to the mainland, the Essex levies formed up across the water under Earl Bryhtnoth himself, blocking their way. Strategically, the Vikings' position was hopeless, but then with astounding overconfidence Bryhtnoth let them cross in order to force a battle, and he was defeated and slain.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Northey Island) |
- Northey Island - National Trust
- Island website
- Battle of Maldon website
- Poem text (Georgetown University)