The Origins of Beowulf: From Vergil to Wiglaf

Description

This book suggests that the Old English epic Beowulf was composed in the winter of 826-7 as a requiem for King Beornwulf of Mercia on behalf of Wiglaf, the ealdorman who succeeded him. The place of composition is given as the minster of Breedon on the Hill in Leicestershire and the poet is named as the abbot, Eanmund. As well as pinpointing the poem's place and date of composition, Richard North raises some old questions relating to the poet's influences from Vergil and from living Danes. Norse analogues are discussed in order to identify how the poet changed his heroic sources while three episodes from Beowulf are shown to be reworked from passages in Vergil's Aeneid. One chapter assesses how the poem's Latin sources might correspond with what is known of Breedon's now-lost library while another seeks to explain Danish mythology in Beowulf by arguing that Breedon hosted a meeting with Danish Vikings in 809. This fascinating and challenging new study combines careful detective work with meticulous literary analysis to form a case that no future investigation will be able to ignore. Contents List of Illustrations List of Figures Abbreviations 1. Introduction: Beowulf and Wiglaf 2. Dynastic Innovation in Beowulf 3. Vergil and the Monastery in Beowulf 4. Ingeld’s Rival: Beowulf and Aeneas 5. ‘Quid Hinieldus?’ Bishop Unwona and Friends 6. Beowulf and the Library at Breedon on the Hill 7. The King’s Soul: Danish Mythology in Beowulf 8. ‘Thryth’ and the Reign of Offa 9. Hygelac and Beowulf: Cenwulf and Beornwulf 10. King Wiglaf and Eanmundes laf Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z