The Middle Ages

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The Middle Ages

• The Heroic Epic

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Roman Invasion approx. 43 AD
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The Anglo Saxon invasion (450 AD)
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With their Long Ships the Vikings invaded Roman
Britain
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The heroic stories also enter Britain so does
the story of Beowulf
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Beowulf the story
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The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic
man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf,
is a seemingly invincible person with all the
extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is
able to use his super-human physical strength and
courage to put his people before himself. He
encounters hideous monsters and the most
ferocious of beasts but he never fears the threat
of death. His leadership skills are superb and he
is even able to boast about all his achievements.
Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his
life countless times for immortal glory and for
the good of others.
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Oral Tradition
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Christian Monks wrote down the story of Beowulf
somewhere between 800 and 1100 AD
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Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in British
literature Beowulf exists in only one
manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale
destruction of religious artifacts during the
dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and
a disastrous fire (1731) which destroyed the
library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton
(1571-1631). The poem still bears the scars of
the fire, visible at the upper left corner of the
photograph. The Beowulf manuscript is now housed
in the British Library, London.
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Beowolfs heroic deeds

• Beowulf is strong enough to kill the monster
  Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for
  twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off
  his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's
  mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's
  death, he is able to slay her by slashing the
  monster's neck with a Giant's sword that can only
  be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf.

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Beowulf fights Grendel
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and Grendels Mother
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Then there is the horrible Dragon which can only
be beaten with Naegling, Beowulfs famous sword
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Waves of fire swept at his shield   And the edge
began to burn. His mail shirt  Could not help
him, but before his hands dropped  The blazing
wood Wiglaf jumped   Behind Beowulf's shield
his own was burned   To ashes. Then the famous
old hero, remembering   Days of glory, lifted
what was left   Of Nagling, his ancient sword,
and swung it   With all his strength, smashed
the gray   Blade into the beast's head. . . .  
And then when Beowulf needed him most     
Wiglaf showed his courage, his strength      And
skill, and the boldness he was born with.
Ignoring     The dragon's head, he helped his
lord      By striking lower down." 
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Death of Beowulf
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Beowulfs Burial
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Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero.
His bravery and strength surpass all mortal men
loyalty and the ability to think of himself last
makes him reveared by all. Beowulf came openly
and wholeheartedly to help the Danes which was an
unusual occurrence in a time of war and
wide-spread fear. He set a noble example for
all human beings relaying the necessity of
brotherhood and friendship. Beowulf is most
definitely an epic hero of epic proportions.
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Anglo-Saxon rule did not last forever...
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The Bayeux TapestryThe most important relic to
survive from the eleventh century. A stitched
chronicle of the battle. What does it tell us of
the Battle of Hastings? The following highlights
are in five parts and include the more important
events that led up to and concluded with the
Battle of Hastings in 1066.
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Edward the Confessor dies on January 5 , 1066
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The next day Harold, Earl of Wessex, is crowned
King.
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William, Duke of Normandy, also claims the throne
and he challenged Harold's right to the throne by
attacking with a fleet and an army.
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Harold was occupied in the north of England
meeting an invasion by the king of Norway, Harald
Hardrada, yet another candidate for the throne .
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Harold was forced to meet the invading William
with such forces as he had .
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Harold had an advantageous position for
William, the situation was becoming desperate.
William was determined to try to lure the
English off and ordered what would appear to be a
retreat.Thinking the Normans were really
fleeing, a part of the English army started to
pursue William's forces with the intention of
cutting them down in their flight, but the
Normans turned around and the battle was renewed.
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Then the wholly unexpected happened Harold, who
was always in the thick of the fight, was pierced
in the eye by a Norman arrow and his death was
immediate
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The English soldiers were fleeing in all
directions, seeking safety under the cover of
darkness, and William was left victorious !
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William reigns from 1066.
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until his death in 1087.