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<small>(See also [[Beowulf (Character)]] and [[Beowulf the Dane]])</small>

<small>(See also [[Beowulf (Character)]] and [[Beowulf the Dane]])</small>

'''''Beowulf''''' is an early medieval epic poem, and the oldest known surviving literature in the English Language.  The story is set in the 500s AD, and historians have traditionally speculated that ''Beowulf'' was written in the 700s AD. The oldest copy of the manuscript dates to a time between 1075 and 1125, and there are some who now contend that ''Beowulf'' was written during that time period. <ref>http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/beowulf.html</ref> But the consensus view is that no one really knows who "wrote" ''Beowulf'' and that the tale was based upon an oral tradition that predated the written version of the story. Oral poetry was performed by bards or singers for warriors when they gathered in mead halls to celebrate their prowess. This is presumed because of certain scenes described in ''Beowulf'', and much of the details we have constructed about Anglo-Saxon life come from the text of ''Beowulf''. <ref>http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/1999-03/yeager.html</ref>

'''''Beowulf''''' is an early medieval [[Old English language|Old English]] epic poem, and the most important piece of surviving literature in the Old English language.  The story is set in the 500s AD, and historians have traditionally speculated that ''Beowulf'' was written in the 700s AD. The oldest copy of the manuscript dates to a time between 1075 and 1125, and there are some who now contend that ''Beowulf'' was written during that time period. <ref>http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/beowulf.html</ref> But the consensus view is that no one really knows who "wrote" ''Beowulf'' and that the tale was based upon an oral tradition that predated the written version of the story. Oral poetry was performed by bards or singers for warriors when they gathered in mead halls to celebrate their prowess. This is presumed because of certain scenes described in ''Beowulf'', and much of the details we have constructed about Anglo-Saxon life come from the text of ''Beowulf''. <ref>http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/1999-03/yeager.html</ref>

The story follows the life of a great warrior named [[Beowulf (Character)|Beowulf]].  [[Hrothgar]], King of the Danes, and his queen Wealhtheow built a great mead hall called Heorot.  The Danes proceed to spend most of their time in the hall drinking and celebrating.  An angry outcast monster called Grendel is jealous of the Danes' happiness, so one night he devours several of the best warriors while they sleep.  These attacks continue, and soon the Danes abandon Heorot.<ref>http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/beowulf.html</ref>

The story follows the life of a great warrior named [[Beowulf (Character)|Beowulf]].  [[Hrothgar]], King of the Danes, and his queen Wealhtheow built a great mead hall called Heorot.  The Danes proceed to spend most of their time in the hall drinking and celebrating.  An angry outcast monster called Grendel is jealous of the Danes' happiness, so one night he devours several of the best warriors while they sleep.  These attacks continue, and soon the Danes abandon Heorot.<ref>http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/beowulf.html</ref>