Beowulf Illustrated

The Classic Old English Poem

Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 65 illustrations, this special edition will appeal to anyone interested in this classic Old English poem.

“Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames” Beowulf

Set in the pagan world of 6th-century Scandinavia, the 3,000-line Beowulf is the longest epic poem written in Old English, the language spoken in England before the Norman conquest in 1066.

Originally an oral tale passed on by word of mouth, the poem tells the story of the adventures of a young hero, Beowulf, and his successive battles with the monster Grendel who he kills by ripping off its arm Grendels vengeful mother, and with a rampaging dragon. In between, the story involves gathering bands of warriors, drinking mead in great halls, the crowning of Beowulf as