If you need to write notes for this... 1. Beowulf is a poem that describes a hero (of the same name) who confronts a villain in his lair(0:50) 2. The Anglo-Saxon language is at the root of English literature (1:30) 3. Anglo-Saxons arrived on English shores in the 5th century A.D. (1:55) 4. Beowulf is the earliest work of Great British literature. (3:24) 5. Beowulf is set in Denmark, and a little bit in Sweden- not Britain. (3:27) 6. There are still live performances of Beowulf happening today. (4:40) 7. In attacking the Mead Hall, Grendel (the villain) was attacking society as a whole. (7:30) 8. Within the Mead Hall, rituals were enacted that bound the Anglo-Saxon community together. (7:31) 9. Beowulf took a company of men and sailed from Sweden to Denmark. Their mission was to expel Grendel from Hrothgar's hall. (8:20) 10. The poem originated as an oral tale. (8:35) 11. It survived as a single manuscript that is currently kept under high security at the British Library. (9:00) 12. It took its current form around the year 1000 A.D. (9:33) 13. In 1731, a fire damaged many of the Beowulf manuscripts. (11:00) 14. The first part of the poem ends when Beowulf severs Grendel's arm. (14:30) 15. We still don't know when and wear the original poem was formed. (15:10) 16. We also do not know where the successive oral retellings were shaped into the modern versions. (15:20) 17. There are clues to the story's origin however. They can be found in East Anglia. (15:30) 18. Edith Pritty was a women who owned much of the land surrounding East Anglia. She became convinced there was gold in her hills after hearing about legends describing it. (17:10) 19. In 1938, she approached archaeologist Battle Brown to help her investigate several strange looks mounds. (17:30) 20. In 1939, Brown uncovered a great ship buried beneath the hills. It's burial chamber was undisturbed. (18:13) 21. This relates to Beowulf for the following reason: In the opening of the poem, there is a royal ship burial, just like the burial found in the actual buried ship. (19:15) 22. There was also much gold found in the ship. Just like Beowulf described. (20:15) 23. The most magnificent find was a gold ceremonial helmet. It revealed more of a connection with the Beowulf poem. (21:15) 24. The helmet belongs to Redweld, one the first kings of the area. (22:17) 25. It is evidenced that Beowulf was aware of the royal line of England seeing as how the helmet was included in the story. (22:36) 26. The second installment of the poem shows Grendel's mother taking revenge. (27:30) 27. To the poet, Grendel's mother acts as a “perverse mirror to mankind.” (28:25) 28. Grendel and his mother are described as the seed of Cain. (28:50) 29. In East-Anglia, the name Grendel is still applied to marshes. (29:30) 30. The enemies in Anglo-Saxon literature are often described using Biblical terms in order to show how evil they are. (29:40)

@leilanibarajas2557

3 жыл бұрын

thank u for doing gods work 🤍🧡

@saryn5989

3 жыл бұрын

this made me actually moan

@kevinwright7728

3 жыл бұрын

thank you senpai

@majorbruh9742

3 жыл бұрын

I have never felt more respect for another human being than currently. God bless your soul

@blessingsonly3371

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate it thank you

Julian Glover doing a one man show of Beowulf--I would fly across the Atlantic to see that!

As much as I enjoy all of Mr. Wood's documentaries, this one about Beowulf is one of my favorites and I return to it many many times

"His fate hovered near, unknowable but certain." Gives me shivers all over.

@BC-ui9yt

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful line. Old English was vivid poetry.

Hearing the tale of Beowulf as told by Julian Glover sounds amazing!

@billslocum9819

5 жыл бұрын

A Bond villain, of all things! How wonderfully the great stories of man feed and flow into one another!

@davehallett3128

5 жыл бұрын

A great retelling by a great actor i wish and hope the performance is available on you tube. It shows michael wood s generosity and admiration that so much was included

I love the passion that these guys show in the documentary. You can see how their eyes shine whit excitement just by talking about Beowulf.

@nathalia65157

9 жыл бұрын

+jimmy31hendrix Exactly what I thought! Wow they are so passionate!

@Bizarro2024

4 жыл бұрын

@Tempa T Boudica didn't defeat the Romans although She had some good battles and messed them up pretty bad almost in defeat. But They eventually overcame Her and She supposedly killed Herself before They did. The Romans really left because of the eventual collapse of the Roman Empire by the Visigoths at home. Then They withdrew out of Britain.

@lawrenceglaister4364

2 жыл бұрын

He and Alice Roberts are far better than the Snow's

@matimus100

Жыл бұрын

Love from Jimmy everyone ❤ 💕 congratulations 👏 Jimmy for coming out

Michael Wood is such an engaging host. I haven't seen a documentary by him I haven't liked. :)

@John-xk2sd

2 жыл бұрын

He's brilliant

@patriciarichter3281

Жыл бұрын

@@John-xk2sd 1

Wonderful. Nobody else does history programmes quite like Michael Wood and the Anglo Saxon period is his speciality.

@KmT81

5 жыл бұрын

Very old programmes very early 80s Alfred the Great,William the Conqueror

@michaz1961

4 жыл бұрын

Really? You have no better about this period? You are really fucked! Greatings from Denmark.

@GoGreen1977

3 жыл бұрын

You should have watched "The Search for the Trojan War" back in the 1980s. I fell in love with Michael Wood back then. If I hadn't already started my career, I would've gone back to school, become a historian and run off to join him.

@jimmythe-gent

Жыл бұрын

Why does he say the anglo Saxons didn't have much effect on our DNA? -About a third of our British ancestry is anglo saxon...

"And Heaven swallowed the smoke." Beautiful phrase.

@fitz7231

9 жыл бұрын

Tolkien merely interpreted it as "The smoke faded in the sky"

@kathleenbainbridge8114

5 жыл бұрын

It truly is. Absolutely gorgeous, but then the whole saga is.

Absolutely fantastic. It really saddens me to know that this BBC which created fascinating documentaries and incredible dramas no longer exists. What on earth happened to them?

I have no idea when the video hit 500k, but cheers to you all and thank you for keeping the comment section so civil :)

It such a pleasure to see Michael Wood's passion - he hasn't changed much in 30 years

@wildhias6195

8 жыл бұрын

+wildhias of course Julian Glover is also superb

@Bjowolf2

8 жыл бұрын

+wildhias True ;-) Try watching MW's amazing and captivating series "In Search of the Trojan War" as well. From way back when they were making TV-programmes with real content and depth - and took their time to do it properly ;-)

@foxyMamaIdaho

7 жыл бұрын

I haven't had the good fortune to have heard of this fellow. What is his claim to fame? Historian? Documentarian? Of his offerings what would you recommend tackling first?

@henriknielsen1253

7 жыл бұрын

MW is a historian, who has done several other historic programmes for the BBC, and they are all well worth a watch. But my favourite above them all is the 6 part series "In Search of the Trojan War", which is still very captivating in spite of being 30 years old - and very thorough and detailed instead of the superficial and fast paced stuff we mostly get these days. You can find it here on KZread. More recently ( ca. 2010 ) he has also done a great series about the history of England seen from the perspective of an English village and its occupants through the ages via old documents, maps and archeological finds that are dug up by the locals assisted by experts.

@HamCubes

7 жыл бұрын

MamaRoxanne Also check out his series entitled, "Conquistadors," where he literally follows the footsteps of Cortes, the Pizarro thugs, I mean, brothers, _et al_ as they spread smallpox and claimed the native lands in the name of the Spanish Crown. I think there are four episodes. I really enjoyed that series. He also has one where he follows in the footsteps of Kurtz in the (Belgian) Congo. His French is very good, too! Everything he touches is a great pleasure to watch!

Gotta say, the storyteller around the fire was inspiring, me and kids were cheering..... what a wonderful way to tell a tale.

Gods, that reenactment was amazing. Id love to be in that hall

5:48 The beginning of the poem 12:46 Beowulf meets Grendel 17:23 Suttenhoo 1938 Basil brown investigates 19:329 the poem continues 24:47 the poem continues 27:17 Grendels mother 30:22 The legend of the Blythburgh Monestary

@bify1913

4 жыл бұрын

omg thank you so much i need this

@creekwalker62

4 жыл бұрын

Suttonhoo

@heartss.81223

3 жыл бұрын

Thx definitely helped me in class and homework 😃

@davehallett3128

3 жыл бұрын

Monastery in english

This should come with a warning that you should watch it next to a roaring fire with strong drink or very good wine to hand!

@invinciblejets4690

8 жыл бұрын

Lambic*

@TheMrhycannon

7 жыл бұрын

I was going for a rum and coke but you're right.. Mead it is, tonight..

@MossyMozart

5 жыл бұрын

@NRodovsky - And warm, crusty bread with fresh-made butter.

@bashkillszombies

4 жыл бұрын

NRodovsky At hand not to, and real men drink mead not grape juice!

@nathantwomey9239

4 жыл бұрын

Skoll

My brother suffered from severe test anxiety & fear of public speaking GROWING up. It was THRU A LESSON ON BEOWULF, that he overcame both

@meeeka

4 жыл бұрын

@AuntiJen, I wish you could share how he did so; we have a youngster in our family who suffers from exam anxiety. The teachers haven't got much imagination about their students or their abilities. To hear how by Beowulf, your brother conquered his fear, would be so hope-inspiring for the students and their families. how rich beowulf has made our lives today, as he reaches beyond time to give us his gifts.

I'm a Canadian of Anglo-Scandinavian descent.....but my spiritual homeland is Anglo-Saxon England in those early years of the medieval era ( 400 AD to 1066). This documentary is a mini-masterpiece! From the presentation, locations and the scenes of Julian Glover reciting Beowulf. If this could be compared to anything, it's an never-ending well of lore, history and an age, though long gone...much beloved and presented here, almost real! I probably watch it 4 to 5 times a year, along with a reading or listening of the original (trans. By Seamus Heaney) Cheers! Fellow Wyrd Walkers!

I’ve watched this many times. Mr. wood’s love of the poem shines through and captivates me.

I love the passion of the historians, and the actor-storyteller. These stories deserve the respect that they still get.

Thanks for posting this great program. Really beats anything on American TV nowadays, and Michael Wood always does wonderful documentaries.

Love everything Michael Wood presents!

Julian Glover’s performance of the poem is masterful

Thank you England for preserving our Scandinavian history.

@Starkodder1963

9 жыл бұрын

***** Yes. And as Beowulf is so much more detailed than it´s Scandinavian counterpart sagas, one can now put a mark on the map where Grendel's abode is located.

@janprojts5413

8 жыл бұрын

+Hail Cromwell Any examples of destroyed literature? And it was a close call for the Beowulf manuscript in 1731...

@TheMrhycannon

7 жыл бұрын

Scandinavians are Celts..

@Starkodder1963

7 жыл бұрын

Mrhycannon In what way?

@TheMrhycannon

7 жыл бұрын

All of northern Europe was settled by Celts.. The Irish and Scots are Gaels, a section of Celts/Gauls..

The writers of Beowulf speaking across time...so moving.

Without the Anglo Saxons we would not have the beautiful language and culture we Englishmen and Americans have in common. Honor their memory!

@jasonsweet1868

6 жыл бұрын

Hail that doesn't sound right

@jasonsweet1868

6 жыл бұрын

i vivos touchy

@TacDyne

4 жыл бұрын

I celebrate by tossing dirty hippies into the air and catching them on my sword!

@davehallett3128

3 жыл бұрын

English is actually derived from west friesian from the north netherlands not from the angles or the saxons

Outstanding, thank you.

I'd like to just watch a video of that guy performing and telling the story with the crowd reactions, that is as good as anything on HBO!

When someone asks, what is at the root of English culture? I will point them to this programme, to Beowulf, and in particular to Michael Wood. I don’t think I have ever admired any historian so highly, nor been so inspired by a single professor of the past, and I’ve spent half of my life swimming in the joyous balmy currents of history.

Thank you Michael and team - Divine Drama in word & deed. It was a pleasure to have participated in the recent 2019 Beowulf Festival in Woodbridge sharing the story of this poems Mythic Shipmate - The Ruba'iya't of Omar Khayya'm. Charles Mugleston Omar Khayya'm Theatre company

The man telling the story as a Schop does it magnificently, as the story progresses and Beowulf gets older, his demeanour changes to that of a more restful, and fatigued man.

This is awesome, I could watch this all day.

I would give anything to take history classes with Michael Wood as my professor. He has such palpable passion for history. It’s infectious.

@junesilvermanb2979

4 жыл бұрын

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wood_(historian)

@iraqafghanistanmarine6905

4 жыл бұрын

june silverman b thank you!! 🙏👍

Onoclus, I've viewed all the documentaries of Mr. Wood. By just luck, I've saved his best for last. Thank you for posting.

@TheSfcinc

6 жыл бұрын

mountainmanws my pleasure :)

This was a very nice documentary with some beautiful landscape shots and Michael Wood is brilliant as always. Thank you for posting.

The cinematography, colours, composition, lighting and whole setup were fantastic in this! The fact you could see all the detail in the background while keeping Michael lit up well was great. If you look at earlier productions the sky is always blown out white.

Michael Wood is amazing as usual!

@sstan1337

6 жыл бұрын

Jim Hoover- He would be more amazing if he combed and washed his greasy hair.

@melaniec1074

5 жыл бұрын

I'm a lot more interested in what he has to say than how his hair looks. If you really love history you don't get caught up in trivial things like appearance. Don't have the same expectations of your experts as you do of movie idols and Instagram stars and you might actually learn something of importance.

This was wonderful. The last few minutes are solid gold.

There's a tale just before the Dragon of Irneness. It's battle between Beowulf and the Geats vs. the Swedish invaders. A civil war within Sweden's royal family spills into Geatland, Beowulf's homeland. He returns to Geatland, takes command of their armies, then confronts the Swedes on Lake Vanirn, a frozen body of water, wins the battle and becomes king thanks to his Geat friends.

5 years ago my feet bore me into that vault at the British Library where Beowulf awaited, amongst case after case of legends. Leonardo Da Vinci and the Lindisfarne Gospels were but two of this poem's stunning neighbors. Each glowed in a subtle light... Quite literally. If you go at the right time when the vault is open for viewing, each of those are just sitting there behind glass or plastic or whatever they use to protect such treasure. The room was nearly dark and each object so subtly lit that it required a moment to adjust one's eyes between items. A truly fascinating experience.

@toekafrank6998

4 жыл бұрын

I believe you absolutely. You were blessed.

These stories and legends must be kept alive by storytelling. Wood is right. These stories and presenters and poets are priceless treasures who celebrate thousands of years of Anglo-Saxon history.

Knowledge, enthusiasm, presentation. Michael Wood has it all. Add to that, some of the best cinematography I have seen in a documentary of this type. Thanks !

What I wouldn't give to attend a performance of Beowulf by Julian Glover

Really enjoyed this, particulary Julian Glover's bits. Thanks for uploading :)

@TheSfcinc

10 жыл бұрын

Not a problem :D

Thank you for posting this fascinating documentary. Michael Wood has such deep knowledge and understanding of his subject, but presented in such a captivating and enthusiastic way. Brilliant :)

100K views :D I am not happy because I can brag but because so many people are interested in this. Thank you :)

@foxyMamaIdaho

8 жыл бұрын

+The Onoclus Thank you so much for sharing this beautifully informative and epic program....reminds me of the importance of our literary past. Bravo!

@jlwaddey9579

8 жыл бұрын

it is re-assuring that intelligent, curious folks exist in great numbers!

@hardwankinman558

7 жыл бұрын

wasnt grendel who manually disassembled similar individuals?

@TheMrhycannon

7 жыл бұрын

This is the first time I've heard Grendel described as a dragon.. References to dragons are very problematical..

@carolinesroadhouse

7 жыл бұрын

Mrhycannon I don't believe he ever said Grendel was a dragon. The dragon story is a separate tale at the end of Beowulf, when he's an old man.

History as it should be; Brilliant.

How many generations sat around blazing fires in smokey halls, listening to this story. A island of humanity, surrounded by the darkness of the unknown, as death howled in the winds of winter storms, attempting to find its way inside and among them. Beautiful and ancient, hearing this story is to share a moment with people long turned to dust, as they come to life once again, in words and our imagination.

THE BBC make wonderful historical documentaries

The BBC Has the best history shows by far.

This is one of my favorite documentaries made by Michael Wood, and I’ve watched it several times! From the comments I read, it seems that there are some ignorant folks who believe Wood has given in to “revisionist” history, in that he accepts the recent position changes regarding the so-called “Dark Ages” and the theory of the mass invasion and conquest of England by the Anglo Saxons. _People clearly don’t understand that our understanding of history is a fluid process that must change where evidence supports change,_ AND they don’t understand how this differs from so-called “revisionist history.” *”Revisionist history” (which is that unsupported by facts) is motivated by unscrupulous people who attempt to change history in order to support their biased, incorrect, unsupported view of events.* These people are apparently unaware that the theory of the “Dark Ages” was just that-a theory-which was disproved by the evidence unearthed by scholars, who then outlined and documented their findings in peer reviewed scholarly journals and books. It was all very aboveboard, but the old theory that, “the lights went out all over Europe,” was so entrenched by historians who had based their whole careers on it that there was a great deal of anger when they had to change their views to fit the facts. The so-called Anglo Saxon armed invasion and conquest of England and the life of King Arthur are other strongly held theories based only on old stories and a great deal of emotional investment, with zero evidence, and it’s very distressing to see people attack Michael Wood for following the evidence.

Thank you SO much for the upload! Needed some beauty to celebrate Valentine's Day, and definitely found it here. Plenty to love about Michael Wood and Beowulf! and your generosity, The Onoclus.

You can hear the origins of Shakespeare, Tolkien and George R.R Martin and yes even George Lucas in those first stirring words of that tale....

@eglantinelass

7 жыл бұрын

Sure can!

@leighjordine4031

5 жыл бұрын

Proof that The spirit of a Legend lives on.

@kathleenbainbridge8114

5 жыл бұрын

Tolkien, of course, took his inspiration directly from this, as well as the Norse sagas (Tolkien's translation of Beowulf is still one of the finest ever produced, because he GOT the poetry of it.) His son Christopher called Beowulf Tolkien's 'Lodestar; everything he did led up to or away from it.' And G. R. R. M, Lucas, and every fantasy writer since has taken their inspiration from J. R. R. Tolkien. Beowulf is absolutely and truly the great granddaddy of the modern fantasy genre, and much of science fiction as well. I would give my eyeteeth to see the original manuscript in person.

@waynehieatt5962

5 жыл бұрын

yeah, they are all the same story, termed 'the hero of a 1,000 faces'

@leighjordine4031

5 жыл бұрын

@@waynehieatt5962 well done for figuring that out. Im glad you mentioned it because i wouldn't of realised. 👍

great photography in this doc,the english countryside scenes are beautiful

@TheSfcinc

10 жыл бұрын

They are but the fact that it is always sunny is interesting :P

@nevyen149

8 жыл бұрын

+The Onocl

@eglantinelass

7 жыл бұрын

In BBC docs, it's ALWAYS interesting! ; }/ ; {

@lucygaster272

Жыл бұрын

@@TheSfcinc pure luck! I was privileged enough to be the researcher on this doc and the weather for once decided to cooperate!

The old English is such a fascinating mix of English and Scandinavian language. When I relax and feel-listen it is so clear what they say. When I pause now they talked about sleik, as in “sleik their thirst”. In Swedish we say “sleika deras turst” (as spelled for english reader, släcka deras törst).

Thank you, Onoclus, for this upload. A gorgeous doc. - including the inspired reading of sections of Beowulf by Julian Glover.

@matthewlucas4142

7 жыл бұрын

Souljahna Grand Maester Pycelle Julian Glover?

I seen The Shuk when I was a boy playing run-out one winter evening. It walked right past me while I hid under a bush. Eye's red as fire.

@kc3718

3 жыл бұрын

I was riding across the Peak District, waylaid and late and lost, and down a winding lane a black beast blocked the way , eyes shining, stood straight and faced me, I had nought but to ride past it, for I am from Mercia and we trod on the east Angles in time of Wulfhere. I am Wulfhere !

This is awesome!

Dude's a modern day bard. A bringer of legends to life.

Greatly enjoyed. Amazing how such a great work survived the ravages of history and Christian anarchy! Kind regards and many thanks.

If even the dog reacts to the story, now that is talent.

@toddcaylor370

Жыл бұрын

The dog looks around like "Wait,..they don't eat dog, right?..Right?!?"

Thank you so much for uploading! I love everything Michael Wood presents and teaches; always have. Was mesmerized by Beowulf as a child and I guess I've never lost my taste for all things Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Brit:-)

Just finished reading the book, teared up at the end. Long live Beowulf.

A wonderful documentary narrated and presented by a master storyteller, Michael Wood, with beautiful footage of the East Anglian Fens where I used to live in my childhood. The storytelling in the Anglo-Saxon hall by Julian Glover was an unique experience, despite showing only snippets of the epic tale, but magic in its vivid presentation and atmosphere that even the dogs seemed fascinated. I could watch this kind of re-telling of ancient literature for hours on end, it is a privilege to watch.

Thank you for sharing and I will keep the story next to my heart and there will be a copy by the fireside .. It’s a bit of my Familia s history my momma was Swedish, and she told me too read all I can about any or all the story’s , folk lore , songs and I was a Viking at heart ,, fueled by the Templars, ,,!! Something is pulling me too learn ...more and. Radiate , and shine ,,,,,blessings friends & thank you ,,,

@3:00(approx)Oh wow! What a performance! One reads about how wandering story tellers have always been respected and welcome. It’s easy to see why. I am so glad to have found this; thank you immensely for the upload, it’s almost as good as being there.

This presenter is trully wonderful! I studied Beowulf at college in my early 20s and have remembered it ever since: "Behold! We have heard of the thrivings of the throne of Denmark, how the former kings flourished in former days..."

@Bjowolf2

Жыл бұрын

Shieldings 😉

Fun! As an American, we weren’t raised on this poem. In fact, my first experience with the story is the CGI Hollywood production Angelina Joli starred in. I’m excited to learn more about it. But eek! I so wish these guys were wearing gloves when touching that book, even if its just a copy. Wasnt Black Shook mentioned in The Hound of the Baskervilles? I had no idea that was a real folk story! Grr....I really need to touch up on English lore. What I think I appreciate the most is Britain has an ancient language only the historians can speak today and that is truly admirable.

@lucygaster272

Жыл бұрын

Funny thing about the gloves - it's now considered good practise NOT to wear gloves as there's the possibility of snagging the paper on the fabric and tearing it and they make your fingers less sensitive so you're not able to be as gentle.

@Cory_Dora

Жыл бұрын

@@lucygaster272 yes! Thank you. I’ve heard that too since I made that post. Learning every day. 😊

Many thanks for sharing, I have great respect for Michael Woods, his treatment of this epic poem is beautiful, I have Séamus Heaneys' translation and I think it probably the truest rendering of this wonderful epic.

I just saw a Swedish documentary about Beowulf. They think that the original was written in Scandinavia and that the Anglo Sachsen version is a copy of a much older story. Some of the details described in the book can only be done if you’re from Scandinavia, especially how they describe chainmail, the relationship to gold rings and bracelets and other details about the landscapes etc. They compared story content with Swedish Rune stones from the 6th century, gold artifacts, helmets and locations in the Scandinavian landscapes. Also where in Sweden Beowulf must have lived and so forth. It was very interesting.

So much to love in this marvellous documentary....a passionate lover and scholar of history and a gifted actor to recall a beloved tale...a feast for history and poetry lovers....

Interesting documentary and a superb poem of which we should be proud. I do disagree with Michael Wood's opening statement that the Anglo-Saxons being"impoverished economic migrants" and having "little influence on our D.N.A." There is much evidence to the contrary, literary, archaeological, cultural and scientific.

Oh! What I wouldn't give to go to a reenactment dinner like that and have Beowulf recited to me by someone of Julian Glover's caliber.

Thanks to everyone involved. Such a treat.

How they haven't done a big budget live action movie for this legendary story is mind boggling! Especially with so many fantasy tales making huge money, even with popular video games having similar storylines. It would be an epic movie!

@issyd2366

4 ай бұрын

But they have. It was converted into a movie in 2005.

I loved this episode Big Time!! I love the way he mixes the original Anglo-Saxon language in the narration, and then translates it, so you know what it means. This is history and historical literature at its best!!

This was visually so stunning ! Great program and I could listen to Seamus Heaney go on for a LOT longer, about Beowolf., but the color palette and the photography was amazing.

This is actually my favorite history documentary on youtube :)

@yingluo6590

4 жыл бұрын

If there are monsters I think sonic.exe is there

The DNA of britains is much older, indeed, but the part of the anglo-saxon DNA in Britain, nevertheless, is very substantial. Don't be afraid of germanic tribes - they are your history.

I like hearing their recitation in early English, it's very musical sounding, it sort of reminds me of Welsh, too.

@hardwankinman558

7 жыл бұрын

heh i cant kno but it hink if they spoke like this to them 1.5k years ago would prly look at them very strange xD i dont htink they tried to speak this well pronounced this just sounds too modern geeky (bit frothy?) and definetely too sober hah someone should at least do research like for example how just some countryside granpa in rural Saxony speaks at 4 in the forenoon after a night of beering :D im no expert just heard anecdote how evn they dont understand each others accents... oh them exotic continentals, probably spoke more enigmatic than this :D

The pattern on the blade is magical.

Thanks for this Doc.

@TheSfcinc

9 жыл бұрын

My pleasure ;)

A Fascinating Story well Told, a link with the past, when nature was untamed and strange creatures lurked in the darkness beyond the comfort and shelter of the Mead Hall. Even the Arab version from the tenth century, the source of The 13th warrior, is based on Beowulf.

This guy Michael Wood is terrific. Very authentic.

living in the area as I do, full of myth and legend, you can feel the ancient history as you walk through this magical land. The Fens is an area where people unused to it find it frightening and brooding, which I love. Here, nature is still in control even though man in trying, over the centuries to command it will fail, and It won't be long before man fails and the waters come back and retakes what is hers.

Love Wood's enthusiasm. I'd like to think he would have been a poet back then.

@matimus100

Жыл бұрын

Love you love easy

Thank you, Onoclus, for uploading this exquisite video! You're a prince among men, dude!

Bit of a shock to see Michael Wood like this. I just watched what must have been one of his first docos, with his 70s (blonde), floppy hairstyle, tight jeans, no wrinkles. It’s a bit like a magic trick! And yes, I do admire his knowledge and the passion for history, that he shares so well. But I can do all that whilst thinking he was cute!

“Our nations greatest gift to the world.”. Spice Girls “Hold our metropolitans”.

@voraciousreader3341

Жыл бұрын

Is that some kind of a sick joke?? Or are your intellectual standards really that low?? Well, if such is the case, that means you have no intellectual standards at all.

Awesome documentary by Michael Wood, fantastic historian. This was a pleasure to watch, no diversity box ticking talking heads, just the facts. :)

beautiful! thanks for sharing

My Dad's family were from the Fens. The family could trace their ancestors back to as early as the 1500. My Dad would tell tales of 'Black Shuck' and my Auntie Mable had many tales of dark and mysterious goings on out on the Fens. I've been out alone on a misty winters evening deep in the Fen, believe me the atmosphere can be electric and as the light fades strange shapes and shadows appear sending chills up your spine. I was never more grateful to have my old Deer Hound Gandalf by my side.

Brilliant doc. Thanks!

@TheSfcinc

10 жыл бұрын

Not a problem :) Glad you liked it :)

Jolly good fellows that I could hang around with and talk Anglo Saxon all day.

Today I finished reading The Name of the Rose for the umpteenth time. The descirption of the burning pieces of parchment fluttering in the wind like butterflies seems like taken from the end the TNOTR. :)

@Philrc

5 жыл бұрын

It's an obvious image, it doesn't have to be taken from one book or another

Absolutely amazing to just listen to this wonderful presentation, to hear the beautiful language of our ancestors! even though I'm American my ancestry is very strongly Anglo Saxon as we found a few years ago, it is incredibly moving to hear the emotion & excitement Michael Woods feels when sharing this incredible story with us, even I was compelled to cheer along with the audience & enjoy the flowing language describing the saga of our hero Beowulf! Again & again Michael Woods brings my ancestry closer to me with his programs about the Anglo Saxons that are part of my family line as well & are so wonderful to learn about- next up, Athelstan or Offa?

Dog's like "Are you guys hearing this scary shit !!??" 13:40

YgraineDance & Seamus o'luaisigh I searched for this video and uploaded it primarily for my colleagues to watch for the English Literature course in order to get more familiar with the topic and the epic itself. I was surprised that people show this much interest for this documentary specificaly. It is Michael Wood obviously :) Glad you like it :)

Great documentary! We need to treasure our heritage!

Anyone know where to get a recorded full performance from Julian Glover? I loved that... I saw some clips from when he was younger and like the presentation in this documentary better. Also love Woods "In Search of the Dark Ages" series. Check it out!

@pauleades9037

Ай бұрын

Julian Glover, has an audio version of Beowulf, on Audible talking books. Highly recommended!

@mry82

Ай бұрын

@@pauleades9037 Thank you!