HIST-281 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Weregild, Breca The Bronding, Flyting
27 Oct 2020
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Beowulf: may have been written between 675 ce and the date of the manuscript, 1000 ce. Main values are based on the interrelations of the comitatus, the king and his warrior household. A mead hall with a giving chair (throne). Shield shiefson starts his nation by subjugating his neighbors and leaving a large treasure for his son: mead hall is the social and spiritual center of anglo-saxon society. Value of the pledge is based on its successful completion. Hrothgar, king of danes, has built the ultimate mead hall. Grendel appears to represent all of the aspects of chaos in anglo-saxon society: the end of heorot is predicted. It will be destroyed by the uncle of hrothgar"s son. Danish sailors bring news of grendel to king hygelac of the geats whose nephew, also named. Beowulf, has a growing reputation for strength and monster killing.
