Beowulf Research Paper

British Literature
Beowulf: Historical Approach Paper

Era: Anglo-Saxon

Place: England

Time: 410-1066 AD

Event Summary:
The Anglo-Saxon era spanned a little over 600 years. It started when the Romans withdrew from Britain, which was considered a ‘far-flung outpost of little value’ in 409 AD. In 410, Angles, Saxons, and Jutes began their migration to the British Isles and settles in England. For a while they were ‘effectively their own masters in a new land and did little to keep the Roman legacy alive.’ They replaced the Roman’s stone buildings with their own wooden ones, and started to speak their own language, which is the base for the English spoken today. They brought their own religious beliefs, but most of the country was
Of these kingdoms, Wessex was the only one to survive the Viking invasions. The Viking ruler of York, Erik Bloodaxe, was killed by the Wessex army in 954 AD and England was united under king Edred. Most information about the Anglo-Saxons we have today comes from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a year-to-year account of all the major event of the time. In it is described the rise and fall of the bishops and kings and the important battles of the periods, among other things. The Anglo-Saxon era came to an end soon after the death of Edward the Confessor, who had no heir. Having seemed to favor Harold Godwinson, there was some disagreement when it turned out that he had supposedly willed the kingdom to William of Normandy (a.k.a. William the Conqueror). Harold was crowned king immediately after Edward died, but failed in his attempt to defend his crown when William and his army invaded by crossing the Channel
Turning Point:
Harold Godwinson was crowned king immediately after the death of Edward the Confessor. Failing in his attempt to defend his crown, defeated in the Battle of Hastings by William of Normandy, the Anglo-Saxon era gave way to Norman rule.

Turning Point Explanation:
When Edward the Confessor died, there was much confusion as to who would be the heir. Before he died, he commended his widow and his kingdom to Harold’s ‘protection’. The actual intent of what he said is unclear. Never the less, Harold was crowned king immediately following Edward’s death. William of Normandy, having believed that he had been promised the succession during a visit to Edward, though it is still debated the seriousness of this promise. With that belief, on September 12th, William’s fleet sailed, several sinking in storms. He landed in England, it is believed, September 28th in Sussex. Harold, upon hearing of William’s landing, marched his army 241 miles to intercept him. Harold established his army in hastily built earthworks near Hastings. The two armies clashed at the Battle of Hastings on October 14th, where after nine hours of hard fighting and most likely 30 minutes from victory, Harold was killed and his forces routed. His brothers Gyrth and Leofwine were also killed in the