I have read this poem many times as part of my reading of all things Tolkien. I have long pondered the themes of nobility, pride, and defeat in this piece.
Maybe that should be next on my Forgotten Tolkien series! Great poem, and Tolkien's analysis of the Battle of Maldon is very interesting (and controversial!).
@@ncjhood That would be very good. I like that he points out that «the Danes» were probably mostly Norwegians led by Olav Tryggvason - a very important figure in our history. Whatever the truth of it, I believe it ;) Also, these are some of my very favourite lines in all of literature. A perfect example of fatalism (in the true sense of the word; not defeatism) and heroic will: «Heart shall be bolder, harder be purpose, more proud the spirit as our power lessens! Mind shall not falter nor mood waver, though doom shall come and dark conquer.»
Unfortunately, we don't know who wrote the poem or when exactly it was written. Just some time at the end of the Anglo Saxon age. You can find more information here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_of_Maldon
Hey thanks so much for reading this poem for UA-cam! I will now relisten to this a million times over. Cheers!
I have read this poem many times as part of my reading of all things Tolkien. I have long pondered the themes of nobility, pride, and defeat in this piece.
Excellent work. You bring a great deal of passion to your reading which conveys the poetry so well.
Great channel . I’m so new but NORDHUGR sent me here . Looking forward to soaking up the knowledge 🎉
Great stuff mate.
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorthelm’s Son! Love that name. But I haven’t heard or read the poem before. Thank you.
Maybe that should be next on my Forgotten Tolkien series! Great poem, and Tolkien's analysis of the Battle of Maldon is very interesting (and controversial!).
@@ncjhood That would be very good. I like that he points out that «the Danes» were probably mostly Norwegians led by Olav Tryggvason - a very important figure in our history. Whatever the truth of it, I believe it ;)
Also, these are some of my very favourite lines in all of literature. A perfect example of fatalism (in the true sense of the word; not defeatism) and heroic will:
«Heart shall be bolder, harder be purpose, more proud the spirit as our power lessens!
Mind shall not falter nor mood waver,
though doom shall come and dark conquer.»
There's a song with the name Maldon sung by Ken Theriot
RIP to all who died
Very good reading! Thank you. A discussion at the end would have been the frosting on the cake.
There’s a video by Arthurian historian which is a discussion of the poem and is really good. Quite brief tho
Who wrote The Battle of Maldon?
Unfortunately, we don't know who wrote the poem or when exactly it was written. Just some time at the end of the Anglo Saxon age. You can find more information here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_of_Maldon
16:00 - Fired arrows... you don't FIRE arrows. You SHOOT or LOOSE them. A bow and arrow isn't a gun. Mistranslation? :P
probably a mistranslation - thanks for mentioning. will keep it in mind for any future readings :)
@@ncjhood Women love it when men do this one cheap trick - it's when they shoot rather than fire their arrows.