Beowulf and its Analogues

Description

Translated by G. N. Garmonsway and Jacqueline Simpson, including "Archaeology and Beowulf" by Hilda Ellis Davidson. With eight pages of half-tone plates. "Beowulf" is an Old English epic poem of more than three thousand lines, and is central to all early Germanic literature. Historical events mentioned in the poem belong to the 6th century, but recent authorities suggest it was written in the 8th century by a Christian poet utilizing older pagan material. In this invaluable reference, a new translation is combined with the analogues of the poem: documents of many types and dates which preserve traditions about persons mentioned in the poem or that offer parallels to Beowulf's exploits. Heretofore, students have had to search out these analogues in many different books, many inaccessible or untranslated. An illustrated closing chapter assesses the archaeological evidence relating to the period and society of "Beowulf". List of Illustrations vii Introduction ix Select bibliography xiii BEOWULF 1 Notes on the Translation 84 Genealogies 87 ANALOGUES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS I. The Geats A. Beowulf 91 B. Hygelac 112 II. The Danes A. Heremod 116 B. Scyld Scefing and Sceaf 118 C. Beowulf son of Scyld 123 D. Healfdene 124 E. Hroðgar 127 F. Halga 141 G. Hroðulf 15 5 H. Heoroweard 206 I. Healfdene's Daughter 206 J. Hreðric 206 III. The Swedes A. Ongenðeow 212 B. Ohthere 214 C. Onela 216 D. Eanmund 216 E. Eadgils 216 IV. The Angles Offa 222 V. The Heathobards A. Froda 238 B. Ingeld 241 VI. The Frisians and their Foes A. Finn 248 B. Finn's Adversaries 248 VII. The Volsungs Sigemund and Fitela 251 VIII. The Goths A. Eormenric 265 B. Hama 286 C. The Necklace of the Brosings 297 IX. The Fight against Manlike Monsters 301 X. The Dragon Fight 333 XI. Funerary Customs 340 ARCHAEOLOGY AND BEOWULF 350 Archaeology 361 Index of Sources 365