BEOWULF EPIC GERMANIC HEROIC LEGEND OLD ENGLISH 1933 1st Ed w PITZ Illustrations

  

Retold from the Epic by Strafford Riggs. Tight binding, solid spine, wear to boards at spine extremes and edges, no writing to text but some internal stains, no previous owner's signature or bookplate. 4to, with the wonderful illustrations by Henry Clarence Pitz throughout, 84 pages, illustrated endpapers.

Beowulf Is an Old English epic poem in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend. It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars; the only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced between 975 and 1025 AD. Scholars call the anonymous author the "Beowulf poet". The story is set in pagan Scandinavia in the 6th century.

Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel for twelve years. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother takes revenge and is in turn defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland and becomes king of the Geats.

Fifty years later, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is mortally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants cremate his body and erect a barrow on a headland in his memory.

BEOWULF EPIC GERMANIC HEROIC LEGEND OLD ENGLISH 1933 1st Ed w PITZ Illustrations.