“zoomorphic mount from the Staffordshire hoard”

1st great work of English national literature Composed between depicts early 6th century. An example of “heroic literature” Mythical and literary record of the formative stages of English civilization. 3,200 lines long Poet unknown…scholars think it was originally told by someone of pagan religion but recorded by a monk due to Christian elements present in the story.

 Story isn’t about the English—it’s about the Danes and the Geats.  So what’s it doing in England?  Romans controlled England (up to Hadrian’s Wall) until the 5 th century  Waves of post-Roman invasions by Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Irish  Native Britons couldn’t hold them off

Map from C. Warren Hollister, The Making of England, p. 64

 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set)  410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain  625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo  A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem  Viking raids in late 8 th century along East coast of England, Ireland, northern France  , Danish army invaded and took control of England

 Ship burial of a 7 th -century Anglo-Saxon king,  possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625)  Found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo  in eastern England, formerly the Danelaw  Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment  Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world

Photos from British Museum

 Mix of pagan and Christian values--often in conflict  Pagan (secular (non-religious) lineage vs. Christian lineage;  Eternal earthly fame through deeds vs afterlife in hell or heaven;  honor & gift-giving vs. sin of pride (hubris);  revenge vs pacifist view (forgiveness);  Wyrd (Anglo-Saxon "Fate") vs God's will, etc.

 Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior  bravery  loyalty to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin  willingness to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile.  generosity of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving  heroism (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power

 Loyalty  Fighting for one’s king  Avenging one’s kinsmen  Keeping one’s word  Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds  Brotherly love -- not romantic love  Heroism  Physical strength  Skill and resourcefulness in battle  Courage  Public reputation, not private conscience

 Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties  Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds  Women lament loss, don’t avenge