25th October 1854
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Published 9 December 1854
Starter
Write down anything you know (or can guess) about:
–
–
–
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the Crimea War
The battle of Balaclava
Mid Nineteenth century European battle tactics
The differences between the fighting in the Crimea War
and the First World War 60 years later.
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Mini-Task 1
Write down what you think is the ‘Story of the Poem.’
#
Mini-Task 1 - The Story of the Poem
600 Cavalry soldiers were mistakenly sent to attack and capture some
enemy cannons. They were attacked by the canons in front and on both sides
of them but rode courageously forward toward their own deaths: “Into the jaws
of Death / Into the mouth of hell / Rode the six hundred.”
The soldiers charged at the enemy army, attacked the gunners with their
swords (“sabres bare”) and broke through the enemy line, destroying their
Cossack and Russian opponents. They then had to ride back though the same
cannon fire; but they had lost many men so they were “not the six hundred” any
more. The poem ends by asking ‘When will their glory fade?’
The Background to the Poem
On 27 February 1854, Britain issued an ultimatum to Tsar Nicholas I of
Russia, whose troops had crossed the Danube River into Turkey. Britain feared
if Russian forces took the Turkish capital, the Tsar's Black Sea fleet would have
access to the Mediterranean Sea and pose a threat to Britain's dominance as a
sea power and to its use of the Suez Canal, thereby threatening India.
When the Tsar was silent, Britain, joined France and Turkey and declared
war on Russia on 28 March 1854, creating thereby what was called the
Crimean War, since most of the fighting occurred on the Crimean peninsula,
southernmost part of Russia.
The British began bombarding Sevastopol, the Russian naval base. and
home of its Black Sea Fleet. The Russians responded by bombarding the
British at Balaclava.
.
An artist’s impression of the Battlefield from the Russian position
on the left
Learning Objectives
As we study this poem As we study this poem you will learn:
• The story of the poem
• More about the use of repetition
• About the Crimea War
• The meaning of the title
• How to summarise information
What Went Wrong
Field Marshal, Lord Raglan, the commanding officer. failed to take
account of the fact that he was on a hill and could see what was going on and
his troops could not The situation was made worse by upper-class rivalry. Lord
Lucan was in overall command of the cavalry, let a personal quarrel with his
brother-in-law, Lord Cardigan, commander of the Light Brigade, reach such a
point that their officers refused to co-operate with each other. This led to an
order from Lucan to Cardigan being
misunderstood, which in turn led to
the charge. To make matters worse,
the officer who delivered the message,
Captain Nolan, despised both of them.
Mini Task 2
Summarise what went wrong.
Mini Task 2 - What Went Wrong Summary
a.
The commanding officer. was on a hill and could see the enemy but his
troops could not.
b.
There was upper-class rivalry between Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan
who refused to co-operate with each other.
c. Order from Lucan to Cardigan misunderstood, which led to the charge.
d. Captain Nolan, who delivered the message, despised both Lucan &
Cardigan.
What Actually Happened - Before the charge 1
The Charge of the Light Brigade occurred on the 25 October 1854 during the
Crimean War between England, France & Russia. In a surprise attack the
Russians had seized the outer perimeter of the English defences in the early
morning. Doing this they captured many cannons which Lord Lucan wanted to
win back. A charge by the Heavy Brigade stopped the Russian advance going
any further. Raglan dispatched an order to Lord Lucan which said: 'Cavalry to
advance and take advantage of any opportunity to recover the Heights.’ This
order was vague and did not specify which troops were to attack. Lucan
immediately moved the Light Brigade into the North
Valley and kept the Heavy Brigade in the South
Valley. At this point, Lucan decided to wait
for infantry support before moving against
what would now be prepared enemy positions.
Mini Task 3 - Summarise this page.
What Actually Happened - Before the charge 1
Mini Task 2 - Summarise this page.
a.
Occurred on the 25 October 1854 during the Crimean War between
England, France & Russia.
b. Russians had captured many cannons which Lord Lucan wanted back.
c. Heavy Brigade charge stopped the Russians
d. Raglan dispatched a vague order which did not specify which troops were
to attack.
e. Lucan moved the Light Brigade into the North Valley and kept the Heavy
f.
Brigade in the South Valley and decided to wait for infantry support.
What Actually Happened - Before the charge 2
Unfortunately, Lucan did not have the vantage point Raglan had, who could
see the Russians preparing to haul away a number of the guns they had
captured. After waiting a little longer he dictated another order, the one that
would become the centre of much controversy. 'Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry
to advance rapidly to the front, follow the enemy and try to prevent the enemy
carrying away the guns.
The order was given to Captain Edward Nolan to deliver but unfortunately,
Nolan was also highly critical of Lucan's leadership. Lucan read the message
with concern and asked for clarification. Nolan, replied 'Lord Raglan's orders
are, that the cavalry should attack immediately.' Lucan retorted 'Attack sir!
Attack what? What guns, sir?' Nolan's response, almost insubordination, was
'There, my lord, is your enemy; there are your guns.‘
Lucan was fuming at Nolan's disrespectful attitude, and sadly, pride
prevented him from questioning Nolan further. Lucan decided to attack in the
vague direction Nolan had flung his arm.
Mini Task 3 - Summarise this page
What Actually Happened - Before the charge 2
Mini Task 4 - Summarise this page
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Lucan could not see the Russians preparing to remove the captured guns.
Raglan dictates second, controversial, order, requesting the cavalry
preventing the enemy removing the guns.
Order given to Captain Nolan to who critical of Lucan's leadership.
Lucan read the message and asked for clarification.
Nolan told him to attack the enemy guns.
Lucan was angry at Nolan's attitude and made him decided to attack in the
vague direction Nolan had indicated.
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’
As soon as the advance started, some of the Russians withdrew and
Cardigan quickly moved into a trot. Captain Nolan suddenly moved ahead of
Cardigan turned in his saddle shouting and waving his sword in the air. At this
point a shell landed and Nolan was mortally wounded by a shell splinter
through the chest.
Much debate has raged about
Nolan's intentions at this point.
Many see his action as a final
desperate bid to correct the
course after realising that the
Light Brigade were mistakenly
headed for the wrong target and
having realised the enormity of
his action, Nolan tried to correct
It. The final truth will never be
Mini Task 4 - Summarise this page
known.
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’
Mini Task 4 - Summarise this page
• As the advance started Captain Nolan moved ahead of Cardigan shouting and
waving his sword.
• A shell then landed and killed Nolan.
• Having realised the enormity of his actions, was this Nolan's final desperate
bid to correct the Light Brigade’s course after realising that they were headed
for the wrong target?
.
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’
Mini Task 4 - Summarise this page
Meanwhile, the Heavy Brigade had got underway but
it lost ground as the Light Brigade on faster horses
increased speed. A dangerous gap started to open up
between the brigades. Lucan attempted to keep the
Light Brigade in sight but lost sight of them as the
smoke and dust grew thicker.
Lucan himself was wounded and his horse hit
twice. He realised that the Heavy Brigade was coming
under increasing fire from both sides as the Russians
were beginning to realise the seriousness of the
situation. If both brigades had managed to stay
together there would have been sense going on.
Lucan, realised that withdrawing would allow the
Heavy Brigade to cover the Light as it returned down
the valley and stopped the Heavy Brigade’s charge.
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’ 1
Mini Task 4a - Summarise this page
a. The Heavy Brigade lost ground to the Light
Brigade on faster horses and Lucan lost sight of
them.
b. Lucan was wounded and the Heavy Brigade was
coming under fire from both sides.
c. Lucan stopped the Heavy Brigade’s charge
because it would allow the Heavy Brigade to
cover the Light on its return.
Learning Objectives
As we study this poem As we study this poem you will learn:
• The story of the poem
• More about the use of repetition
• About the Crimea War
• The meaning of the title
• How to summarise information
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’ 2
Some of the remaining first line stopped to fight the gunners while some
of the 17th Lancers with Captain Morris went around the guns and charged the
nearest Russian cavalry. Cardigan emerged unscathed and managed to
escape the clutches of a group of Russian Cossacks who Prince Radzvill had
offered to reward if they could
capture him alive. He rode
back westward duty done,
and upon reaching safety
complained about Nolan's illdiscipline. The Heavy Brigade
commander cut him short by
telling him he had just ridden
over his body.
Mini Task 4 - Summarise this
page
What Actually Happened - Into ‘The Valley Of Death’ 2
Mini Task 4c - Summarise this page
a.
Some of soldiers stopped to fight the gunners while others charged the
nearest Russian cavalry.
b. Cardigan managed to escape a group of Cossacks who had been offered
a reward for his capture.
c. He rode back and reaching safety complained about Nolan's ill-discipline.
d. He was told he had just ridden over Nolan’s body.
What Actually Happened - Back From ‘The Jaws Of Hell’
Having successfully attacked and fought their way through the enemy lines,
the British realised that a force of Russian lancers was forming across their line
of retreat so thy started to retreat back the way they had come. Ironically the
Russian gunners now to helped the British withdrawal as they kept firing,
discouraging any pursuit by their own cavalry.
The last of the Light Brigade withdrew over the remains of their unfortunate,
fallen comrades.
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this page
What Actually Happened - Back From ‘The Jaws Of Hell’
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this page
a.
b.
c.
The Light Brigade now risked being cut off by a force of Russian lancers.
So the British then started their retreat..
The Russian gunners kept firing, discouraging any pursuit by their own
men.
What Actually Happened - Counting The Cost
The cost had been terrible. Out of 673 men who went into action, 195
returned fit for service with their mounts. 133 had been killed or taken prisoner
by the Russians. Of the survivors, 345 were wounded in some way. Some
475 horses had been lost. The Charge of the Light Brigade had effectively
ended by 11.20am, just over an hour after the order to attack the guns had
been issued.
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this page
What Actually Happened - Counting The Cost
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this page
a. The Charge of the Light Brigade lasted less than an hour with terrible costs.
b. Of the 673 men who started:
i.
133 men killed or captured
ii.
345 wounded
iii. 195 returned fit for service
iv. 475 horses killed
What Actually Happened - Counting The Cost
The recriminations began almost immediately.
Raglan angrily rebuked Cardigan after riding
down to the plain. 'What do you mean, sir, by
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this
attacking a battery in front, contrary to all the
page
usages in warfare, and the customs of the
service?' Cardigan replied, 'My lord, I hope you
will not blame me, for I received the order to
attack from my superior officer in front of the
troops.' Nor did Lucan escape the commanderin-chief's censure: 'You have lost the Light
Brigade!' and went on to stress that his order
was for the cavalry to advance onto the
Heights and recover the lost guns. Lucan
blamed Nolan for the misdirection. The
arguments as to who was responsible for the
debacle has raged ever since.
What Actually Happened - Counting The Cost
Mini Task 5 - Summarise this page
• As soon as the men returned the blaming started.
• Cardigan justified himself by saying he received the order to attack from his
superior officer.
• Lucan was also blamed.
• Raglan told them his order was recover the captured guns.
• Lucan blamed Nolan.
•The argument about who was responsible has raged ever since.
Learning Objectives
As we study this poem As we study this poem you will learn:
• The story of the poem
• More about the use of repetition
• About the Crimea War
• The meaning of the title
• How to summarise information
Captain Jenyns Account Of The Battle
Seventy-six troopers' and seven officers' horses killed on the spot, ten shot
afterwards, and eight wounded still alive. I only brought nine mounted men
back! Poor old "Moses" [his charger] was shot through his shoulder and through
the hip into his guts, but just got me back.
I had some narrow shaves, as indeed we all had. My cloak rolled in front had
three canister-shot through it, besides a piece of shell knocking off the end of it,
and catching me on the knee, but only a severe bruise. Percy Smith's horse
was the only one not killed. It was a fine sight to see the fellows sit down and
put their heads straight at the guns.
Percy Smith writes— You have, of course, seen all the
accounts of our charge in the papers, so I will not try to tell you
anything more about it, except that "Jenks " [Jenyns] was worth
his weight in gold. He was everywhere, and kept his head as
well as if he had been at a common field-day. He was on
"Moses." The good old horse got shot in four places, and was
only just able to get back to the Heavies.
VC Honours
The honour of the Victoria Cross, the
highest award for bravery in the British
Army, came to the 13th Light Dragoons.
During the charge, and before reaching the
guns, Captain Webb of the 17th Lancers
was mortally wounded. To his assistance
came Troop Sergeant-Major Berryman of his
regiment. He, finding that Captain Webb
could no longer keep in the saddle,
endeavoured to lift him out, Berryman
remained with Captain Webb, although that
officer besought him to save himself.
VC Honours
Presently Sergeant Farrell, also of the 17th
came to them, and the two remained by
Captain Webb till they were joined by
Lance Sergeant Malone of the 13th Light
Dragoons. The three remained by the
wounded officer under a heavy fire for a
considerable time, and finally between
them endeavoured to carry him off.
Troop Sergeant-Major Berryman,
Sergeant Farrell, and Lance Sergeant
Malone were all subsequently decorated
with the Victoria Cross.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Colonel Tremayne pays a high tribute to the soldierly qualities of Lieutenant
Percy Smith, who, he says, "gave us all an example of steadiness." Lieutenant
Smith "lost a part of his right hand from a gun accident before the war, and
could not draw his sword. He had an iron guard made to slip over his wrist. In
the dark that morning he could not find it in the tent, and turned out without it.
He went to the end of the charge, and was the only officer who came out on the
same horse he went in on; he was not wounded [note—this is wrong; he got a
lance prod in the ribs, but would not report it].
Percy Smiths saddle on exhibition at the
National Army Museum as only one of two
riders to come through the charge on the
same horse.
Mentioned in Dispatches
As a matter of fact, Lieutenant Smith, unarmed as he was,
found himself separated from his men and brought to a
standstill by three Russian lancers, one on each side and one in
front. He was defenceless, and apparently in a pretty warm
corner. The lancer on his right hesitated for a moment and left
him with only two to look after. The man on his left attacked
first, but he contrived to turn his point off with the upper part of
his bridle arm at the cost of a mere scratch from the side of his
lance-blade. At the same moment almost, the man in front gave
point at his chest. Lieutenant Smith saw he couldn't guard
himself without dropping his reins, so instead of that, as he was
mounted on a good hunter, he jumped right on to his assailant.
The lance-point luckily hit on a bone and came out as the
Russian went down, and before the other two could renew the
attack a party of the 11th Hussars came to the rescue, and the
lancers had something else to occupy their attention.
The Battlefield ~ Then & Now
Note the cannonballs
littering the road.
Who Were The Light & Heavy Brigades?
Light Brigades were mainly used for reconnaissance duties and for surprise
attacks against the enemy's flanks (sides) and rear. They were lightly armed
with lances (spears) and sabres (curved swords) and rode lighter, faster horses.
A Light Brigade should not have really been used for a frontal attack such as
happened at Balaclava. They are also known as ‘Hussars’.
Who Were The Light & Heavy Brigades?
The Heavy Brigade were shock troops used to break through enemy lines by
force of momentum and terror. Both they and their horses wore body armour of
some description. Heavy cavalry, also know as Dragoons, rode large, stronger
horses and were armed with heavy cavalry swords and rifles. The word
Dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as
well as infantry fighting skills.
Mini Task 6
List the differences between the Light & Heavy Brigades.
Mini Task 10
List the differences between the Light & Heavy Brigades.
Light Brigade
Heavy Brigade
Rode Light Horses
Rode Heavy armoured horses
Lightly Armed – Sabre & Spear
Heavily Armed – Sword & Rifle
Dressed for speed
Wore body armour
Principally Horsemen
Trained fighters & horsemen
Used for recognisance and
flanking movements
Used for frontal attacks
Assignment
Imagine you are a named soldier that took part in the
Charge of the Light Brigade. Write your account of the
events of the battle.
Your assignment has to use four or five paragraphs:
1. Before the charge
2. During the charge
3. Reaching the enemy guns
4. Retreat or death
5. After the charge.
You need to use names facts and accurate details of
the battle in your answer. You may conduct further
research on the battle to help you write your essay. If
you come across an account of the battle that interests
you, you may use that but you must list your source at
the end of the assignment.
600-800 Words by Thurs 27 Nov.
Tennyson’s Poem
Tennyson's poem was published on
December 9, 1854 According to his grandson
Sir Charles Tennyson, Tennyson wrote the
poem in only a few minutes after reading an
account of the battle in The Times. It
immediately became hugely popular, even
reaching the troops in the Crimea, where it
was distributed in pamphlet form. Even
Queen Victoria asked for a copy of it.
Tennyson’s Poem – Mini Task 7 – Structure
How is the poem structured?
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
a, Six stanzas,
b. uneven lines, 8, 9, 9, 12, 11, 6
c. Lines 5-7 syllables long.
Tennyson’s Poem – Mini Task 8– Rhyme Scheme
On your copy of the poem underline or highlight
the rhymes in the poem.
– What sort of rhyme scheme is this?
– what do you notice about the rhyme/chime
patterning?
– Is there any regular feature to the rhymes?
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
1. Complex rhyme scheme.
2. Line 4/5 chimes with
‘hundred’.
3. Use of rhyming ‘triplets’.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Rhyme
Chime
Rhyme in the Poem
Remember – this is a very complex rhyme scheme.
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Stanza 4 has one example of an
internal rhyme on ‘Shattered –
sundered’.
Rhyme in the Poem
Remember – this is a very complex rhyme scheme.
The ‘Hundred’ pattern
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
There is a rhyme to match the
last line in each stanza in lines
3-5 of each stanza. In Stanza 1
L4, the word ‘hundred’ would
normally count as repetition
except that it is an obvious part
of this rhyme pattern.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Rhyme in the Poem
Remember – this is a very complex rhyme scheme.
Couplets & triplets
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Stanza 1 = 1 couplet that
chimes
Stanza 2 = 1 couplet that
rhymes
and 1 triplet
Rhyme in the Poem
Remember – this is a very complex rhyme scheme.
Couplets & triplets
Satnza 3 = 1
couplet/ alternate
couplet
Stanza 4 = 1 Triplet
and 1 couplet/
alternate couplet
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Rhyme in the Poem
Remember – this is a very complex rhyme scheme.
Couplets & triplets
Stanza 5 = 1 Triplet and
1 alternate couplet
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
Stanza 6 = 2 Couplets (but with the
same
rhyme sound.)
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Tennyson’s Poem – Mini Task 9 – Key Feature
Repetition is a key feature of this poem.
On your copy of the poem underline or
highlight the repetitions.
– What do you notice?
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Note: There are repetitions in Shattered and sundered.
every stanza
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Note: The battle stanza, S4,
contains the least repetitions.
& the change at the end of S4-6.
Repetition in the Poem
Remember – Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis
Cannon
to right of them,
or both.
Cannon to right of them,
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Note: There are repetitions in
every stanza
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Note: The battle stanza, S4,
contains the least repetitions.
& the change at the end of S4-6.
The Theirs Repetition Stanza 1 & 2
Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis or both
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
The 600 Repetition Stanza 1 & 2
Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis or both
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Repetition in the Poem
The Cannons Repetition
Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis or
both.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
The Volley & Storm Repetitiontanza 3
&5
r – Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis or both.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
The repetition of ‘Cannon’ emphasises the danger the
soldiers faced as they were surrounded by enemy gunfire on
three sides as they attacked the guns....and then had to face
the same assault as they retreated back down the valley to
the safety of their own lines. There is also a rhythm
established with the repetition of these lines, similar in form to
the repetition of ‘Half a league’ at the start of the poem.
‘Volleyed and thundered....stormed at with shot and shell’
emphasises the violent nature of the cannonading the
soldiers faced. Shot were solid cannon balls that caused
injury as they tore through tissue. Shell were fused, hollow
rounds filled with gunpowder that would explode near the
enemy killing or injuring by shards of hot metal tearing
through tissue. Capt. Nolan was killed by such a shell burst at
the start of the charge.
The Jaws of Death Repetitiontition
is used for rhythm, emphasis or both.
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
The Sabre Repetitions used for rhythm,
emphasis or both.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
The Honour RepetitionRepetition in
the Poem – Stanza 1 & 2
r – Repetition is used for rhythm, emphasis or both.
The emphasis in the repetition of the last three lines is Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
on honouring the sacrifice that these soldiers made.
They did their duty, obeyed their orders and paid with
their lives. The change in the repetition in the last line
asks us to focus on the nobility of their action. What they
did may seem stupid, but that stupidity lies with the
officers who issued the orders, the soldiers were being
noble in their effort to do what they had been ordered to
do, without moaning and without question:
Theirs not to make reply, (question their orders)
Theirs not to reason why, (ask reason why such
orders)
Theirs but to do and die: (do what they are told even
if it
means their death.)
Tennyson’s Poem - Introduction
Each stanza tells a different part of the story, and
there is a delicate balance between nobility and
brutality throughout the poem. Although Tennyson's
subject is the nobleness of fighting for one's country, it
pulls no punches about the horror of war: "mouth of
Hell and “jaws of Death“ are metaphors he uses to
describe the savagery of the battle.
The alliteration on "Storm'd at with shot and shell" is
sensory imagery and echoes the whistling of cannon
balls as the cavalry charge through it. After the fury of
the charge, the final notes are gentle, reflective and
laden with sorrow: "Then they rode back, but not, not
the six hundred“
Note: Shot were solid canon balls that killed by impact.
Shell was a hollow cannon ball filled with gunpowder
that fragmented the shell, the shredded metal case
killing or wounding the enemy.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 1
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!’
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Note: a league is the
distance a man on a horse
could walk in an hour ~
about 3 miles. Half a league
then is about a mile and a
half or just over 2 Km
The poem starts with the repetition of the distance
the men have to cross over open ground to reach their
enemy. The rhythm of the repetition is like the sound
of the galloping of the horses they were riding.
Calling this battlefield ‘The Valley Of Death’ lets the
reader know right from the start that the battle is not
going to have a very good ending for the soldiers.
For poetic reasons Tennyson makes the number of
soldiers 600. Rode the 673 does not scan! So he is
altering the historical facts for artistic reasons.
We also get told the name of this group of soldiers
is ‘The Light Brigade’ as opposed to the ‘Heavy
Brigade’ who also saw action that day.
We also find out that the men were ordered to
charge the guns, so the danger of the mission was
apparent right from the start.
Mini Task 10 – What is the key information given in
this stanza?
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 1
Half a league, Half a league
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward the Light Brigade!’
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Mini Task 10 – What is the key information given in
this stanza?
a. Calling this battlefield ‘The Valley Of Death’ lets the
reader know right from the start that the battle is
not going to have a very good ending for the
soldiers.
b. Tennyson makes the number of soldiers 600, not
673.
c. This is ‘The Light Brigade’ as opposed to the
‘Heavy Brigade’
d. The men were ordered to charge the guns.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 2
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Tennyson suggests that the men knew someone
had ‘blundered’ but ‘cheerfully’ (without dismay) and
without questioning the order the men attacked the
enemy. Their duty as soldiers was to do what they had
been ordered to do or die in the attempt.
We then get the repetition of ‘Into the valley of Death’
which is now acting like a chorus and emphasises the
danger the men face.
Mini Task 11 – How does Tennyson emphasise the
loyalty and obedience of the soldiers in this stanza?
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 2
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Tennyson suggests that the men knew someone
had ‘blundered’ but ‘cheerfully’ (without dismay) and
without questioning the order the men attacked the
enemy. Their duty as soldiers was to do what they had
been ordered to do or die in the attempt.
We then get the repetition of ‘Into the valley of Death’
which is now acting like a chorus and emphasises the
danger the men face.
Mini Task 11– How does Tennyson emphasise the loyalty
and obedience of the soldiers?
•
•
•
Through the echoing of the command to go forward,
but this time adding that the soldiers did it willingly as
none were ‘dismayed’.
The repetition of ‘theirs not’
The fact they are prepared to ‘do or die’.
Learning Objectives
As we study this poem As we study this poem you will learn:
• The story of the poem
• More about the use of repetition
• About the Crimea War
• The meaning of the title
• How to summarise information
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 3
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Mini Task 12 – apart from repetition,
what is the key feature of this stanza?
List at least three examples of the
feature you identify.
The sense of danger is picked up at the
beginning of the next section as the soldiers find
there are cannon all around them and they are
charging into deadly crossfire; a danger their
commander should have been aware of when
the order to charge was given.
Yet despite the danger the men rode bravely
(boldly) in to a battle they knew would probably
cost them their lives as they were riding into the
‘jaws of Death’ and the ‘mouth of Hell’.
‘Volleyed and thundered’ is sensory imagery
as it tries to convey a sense of the sound of the
battle. A volley is a set of guns (rifles or
cannons) being fired together or in sequence;
as opposed to random shots being fired at the
charging cavalry .
‘shot and shell’ is an example of alliteration
and re-enforces the sound imagery created by
‘thundered’ in the line above.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 3
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Mini Task 12 – apart from repetition, what is
the key feature of this stanza? List at least three
examples of the feature you identify.
Imagery is the other Key feature of this stanza.
Examples:
•The ‘storm’ of shot and shell, which is both
visual and aural (sound) imagery.
•Soldiers riding bravely
•Jaws of death
•Mouth of Hell
•The massed ranks of the 600 soldiers.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 4
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Note the alliteration on ‘shattered and
sundered’
Note: Hyperbole: A figure of speech in
which exaggeration is used for
emphasis or effect
Now the tables are turned and it is the Light
Brigade doing the killing, using their light
sabres to brutal effect. Because the Russians
did not expect such an insane attack the
guns were lightly defended and once through
the lines and safe from the cannons the
cavalry were able to wreck havoc amongst
the Russian guns..
But….having broken through the lines
what was left of the Light Brigade had to turn
round and run the gauntlet of fire as they
rode back to safety.
Mini Task 13 –
1. Look at the previous stanzas. What is
missing from Stanza 4?
2. Why is this element missing?
3. What line in this stanza can be
considered hyperbole?
4. Why?
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 4
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Mini Task 13 –
1. Look at the previous stanzas. What is
missing from Stanza 4? Why is this
element missing?
There is no reference to riding into the
‘Jaws of Death or ‘Mouth of Hell’ as the
soldiers were in it!
2. What line in this stanza can be
considered hyperbole? Why?
Saying the ‘world wondered’ is hyperbole.
What Tennyson really means here is the
British Empire and it’s allies ‘wondered’
(this was about 50% of the world at the
time!)….and the world did not wonder, not
at the time of the battle anyway. It did
though a few days later when the story
was reported in the newspapers.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 5
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
Note the alliteration on horse and hero
& they that.
Now Tennyson reprises the lines of the
charge but reverses the third line as the
cannons are now behind the soldiers as they
retreat. However he now places the emphasis
on the ‘bravery’ of the men by telling us that it
was ‘heroes’ that fought and fell coming back
from the ‘Jaws of Death’ and ‘Mouth of Hell’.
Mini Task 14 –
How does Tennyson describe the losses the
Light Brigade had suffered?
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 5
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
Mini Task 14 –
How does Tennyson describe the losses the
Light Brigade had suffered?
He doesn't. He just repeats the word ‘left’
which implies a great loss of life from the 600
who set out on the charge.
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 6
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Ironically it is because of this poem that we still
remember this battle today. Without Tennyson and
his poem the charge of the Light Brigade
would have been a footnote in military history. In this
respect Tennyson has succeeded with his intentions
in writing this poem as the ‘glory’ of this charge has
not been forgotten and allowed to ‘fade’.
So, we finally reach the heart of the poem and
the point Tennyson has been trying to make all
along:
Mini Task 15 –
What is the crux of the poem and what are the key
words Tennyson uses to make his point.?
Tennyson’s Poem – Stanza 6
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Mini Task 15–
What is the crux of the poem and what are the key
words Tennyson uses to make his point.?
The clue is in the repetition of ‘Honour’ for that is
what Tennyson wants us to do, respect and honour
the ‘Noble’ soldiers who died in this ‘wild’ and
useless attack on enemy lines.
A Group Of Survivors
The Times 14th November 1854
The Charge of the Light Brigade
by William Howard Russell from the front of the Crimean War
HEIGHTS BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, OCTOBER 25 -- If the exhibition of the most
brilliant valor, of the excess of courage, and of a daring which would have reflected
luster on the best days of chivalry can afford full consolation for the disaster of today, we
can have no reason to regret the melancholy loss which we sustained in a contest with a
savage and barbarian enemy.
I shall proceed to describe, to the best of my power, what occurred under my own
eyes, and to state the facts which I have heard from men whose veracity is
unimpeachable, reserving to myself the right of private judgment in making public and in
surprising the details of what occurred on this memorable day...
[After losing ground to a British force half its size, the Russians retreated to the
heights above Sebastopol, a port town on the Black sea] .At 11:00 our Light Cavalry
Brigade rushed to the front... The Russians opened on them with guns from the redoubts
on the right, with volleys of musketry and rifles.
The Times 14th November 1854
They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendor of
war. We could hardly believe the evidence of our senses. Surely that handful of men
were not going to charge an army in position? Alas! It was but too true -- their desperate
valor knew no bounds, and far indeed was it removed from its so-called better part -discretion. They advanced in two lines, quickening the pace as they closed towards the
enemy. A more fearful spectacle was never witnessed than by those who, without the
power to aid, beheld their heroic countrymen rushing to the arms of sudden death.
At the distance of 1200 yards the whole line of the enemy belched forth, from thirty
iron mouths, a flood of smoke and flame through which hissed the deadly balls. Their
flight was marked by instant gaps in our ranks, the dead men and horses, by steeds
flying wounded or riderless across the plain. The first line was broken -- it was joined by
the second, they never halted or checked their speed an instant.
With diminished ranks, thinned by those thirty guns, which the Russians had laid with
the most deadly accuracy, with a halo of flashing steel above their heads, and with a
cheer which was many a noble fellow's death cry, they flew into the smoke of the
batteries; but ere they were lost from view, the plain was strewed with their bodies and
with the carcasses of horses. They were exposed to an oblique fire from the batteries on
the hills on both sides, as well as to a direct fire of musketry.
The Times 14th November 1854
Through the clouds of smoke we could see their sabers flashing as they rode up to
the guns and dashed between them, cutting down the gunners as they stood. The blaze
of their steel, like an officer standing near me said, "was like the turn of a shoal of
mackerel." We saw them riding through the guns, as I have said; to our delight, we saw
them returning, after breaking through a column of Russian infantry and scattering them
like chaff, when the flank fire of the battery on the hill swept them down, scattered and
broken as they were.
Wounded men and dismounted troopers flying towards us told the sad tale -demigods could not have done what they had failed to do. At the very moment when
they were about to retreat, a regiment of lancers was hurled upon their flank. Colonel
Shewell, of the 8th Hussars, saw the danger and rode his men straight at them, cutting
his way through with fearful loss. The other regiments turned and engaged in a
desperate encounter. With courage too great almost for credence, they were breaking
their way through the columns which enveloped them, where there took place an act of
atrocity without parallel in modern warfare of civilized nations. The Russian gunners,
when the storm of cavalry passed, returned to their guns.
They saw their own cavalry mingled with the troopers who had just ridden over them,
and to the eternal disgrace of the Russian name, the miscreants poured a murderous
volley of grape and canister on the mass of struggling men and horses, mingling friend
and foe in one common ruin.
The Times 14th November 1854
It was as much as our Heavy Cavalry Brigade could do to cover the retreat of the
miserable remnants of that band of heroes as they returned to the place they had so
lately quitted in all the pride of life.
At 11:35 not a British soldier, except the dead and dying, was left in front of those
bloody Muscovite guns...
Raglan’s Order
Assignment
Imagine you are a named soldier that took part in the
Charge of the Light Brigade. Write your account of the
events of the battle.
Your assignment has to use four or five paragraphs:
1. Before the charge
2. During the charge
3. Reaching the enemy guns
4. Retreat or death
5. After the charge.
You need to use names facts and accurate details of
the battle in your answer. You may conduct further
research on the battle to help you write your essay. If
you come across an account of the battle that interests
you , you may use that but you must list your source at
the end of the assignment.
600-800 Words by Thurs 27 Nov.