Explanation of conquers of Britain being early
tribes, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Vikings, and Normans.
Alfred the Great repelled the Vikings and tried to
unify England. The first king to fully rule the country was William the
Conquer.
"Great Charter" or Magna Carta was the
first stage toward limited government or Constitutional Monarchy.
By 1400 there were feuds between the Lancasters,
Yorks, and Tudors which led to the War of Roses explained dramatically in
Shakespeare's Richard III.
Plague and uprising put an end to the system of
feudalism and a more marketed oriented economy began to grow.
From literature the first well known legend in
English was Beowulf.
Things from the Middle Ages often depicted romantic
knights as heros fighting for chivarly and Christodom.
Other famous tales originating in Britain include
the Knights of the Round Table and Robin Hood.
Lastly a map of languages entering England being
Gaelic from Ireland, French from Normandy, Danish from Denmark, German from the
Holy Roman Empire, and Latin from Rome.
Notes on Beowulf
Story begins with a beast called Grendal ravaging
the Hall of Hrothgar. The Danes call upon the heroic prince Beowulf to cross
the sea to aid them. The author gives some details on how the beast is a hell
spawn that thrives off sin and injustice. Grendal had recently murdered
Healfdane the next in line for the Danish throne. The watchman that spots and
confronts the Geats is cautious but allows then entry. Beowulf and the Geats
agree to vanquish the monster for the king. In the odd yet epic battle Beowulf
does not draw his sword. While the demon is ready to murder him in his sleep he
grabs it with his death grip breaking him down eventually. After this legendary
feat more must still be done as the Grendal has a mother still on the hunt.
Beowulf was able to defeat the first creature which was impervious to standard
weaponry with his hands so the next should be similar. A spooky description of
the lair of the mother is given before our hero enters. Basic melee was to no
avail against this more powerful foe but fate was on the heros side. He was
able to obtain a sword too heavy for most men and bisect the fiend. This
effectively killed her but its boiling blood melted most of the sword but the
hilt. After this the crew finally returns home to live for fifty years under
the Prince later Kings rule. By the time he is an elderly man he must face off
against a dragon menacing his territory. In this conflict all but a single man
leave his side as he faces the fire breathing lizard. His blade even shatters
during the fight leaving him in an even mire hopeless situation. The last man
standing by his side, Wiglaf son of Wexstan assist him in slaying the dragon.
This battle does leave the Great King mortally wounded so he is brought back
for his final moments. The two call out all the men who deserted them as
cowards and as he dies Beowulf gives the spoils to the brave soul who did not
abandon him.
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