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The Warrior and the Witan

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THE WARRIOR  AND THE WITAN: SEARCHING FOR  THE CULTURE OF WISDOM IN  B  EOWULF  by Reid Hardaway Bachelr ! Ar"# U$i%er#i"y ! S&"h Carli$a' ())* S&b+i""ed i$ ,ar"ial F&l!ill+e$" ! "he Re-&ire+e$"# Fr "he De.ree ! Ma#"er ! Ar"# i$ E$.li#h Clle.e ! Ar"# a$d Scie$ce# U$i%er#i"y ! S&"h Carli$a  ()// Acce0"ed by:  Dr 1 Sc"" Gwara' Direc"r ! The#i# Dr1 Hlly Crc2er' Reader  Dr1 Ti+ M&##ea&' Dea$ ! "he Grad&a"e Schl  
Transcript
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THE WARRIOR  AND THE WITAN:

SEARCHING FOR  THE CULTURE OF WISDOM IN  B EOWULF 

 by

Reid Hardaway

Bachelr ! Ar"#

U$i%er#i"y ! S&"h Carli$a' ())*

S&b+i""ed i$ ,ar"ial F&l!ill+e$" ! "he Re-&ire+e$"#

Fr "he De.ree ! Ma#"er ! Ar"# i$

E$.li#h

Clle.e ! Ar"# a$d Scie$ce#

U$i%er#i"y ! S&"h Carli$a

 ()//

Acce0"ed by:

  Dr1 Sc"" Gwara' Direc"r ! The#i#

Dr1 Hlly Crc2er' Reader 

  Dr1 Ti+ M&##ea&' Dea$ ! "he Grad&a"e Schl

 

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 All rights reserved

INFORMATION TO ALL USERSThe quality of this reproduction is dependent on the quality of the copy submitted.

In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscriptand there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed,

a note will indicate the deletion.

 All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected againstunauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code.

ProQuest LLC.789 East Eisenhower Parkway

P.O. Box 1346

 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346

UMI 1498152

Copyright 2011 by ProQuest LLC.

UMI Number: 1498152

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  ABSTRACT

I$ Beowulf ' "he warrir a$d "he 2i$. !&l!ill #0eci!ic rle# ! "he c++&$i"y1 The

a&"hri"a"i%e ce$"er ! "he Da$i#h 0e0le' Hr"h.ar 0re#ide# %er "he .i!"3.i%i$.

cere+$y a$d rec&$"# "he !a+&# 4#er+$14 5e" "he 2i$. de# $" ha%e "he re#&rce# "

de!ea" Gre$del1 Bew&l! i# a warrir wi"h "he $ece##ary #"re$."h " %erc+e "he

+$#"er' b&" hi# beha%ir i# 0"e$"ially rec2le## r e%e$ de#"r&c"i%e1 F&r"her+re' "he

a&die$ce i# c+0elled " e%al&a"e Bew&l!6# le.acy ba#ed $ hi# "ra$#i"i$ !r+ warrir

" 2i$.1 T +a2e "hi# e%al&a"i$' b#er%er# i$ "he 0e+6# a&die$ce +&#" e#"abli#h

#0eci!ic #"a$dard# re.ardi$. "he#e c++&$al7a$d c+0e"i$.7rle#1 I$ "her wrd#'

"he a&die$ce ha# " de!i$e wha" i" +ea$# " be a warrir %er#&# wha" i" +ea$# " be a

2i$.1 The a&die$ce i# e80ec"ed " d "he #a+e wi"h a "hird c++&$al .r&0' "he witan1

A# a .r&0 ! di0l+a"#' "hey #ee2 0eace!&l re#l&"i$# a$d e8hibi" "he %al&e# !

di0l+acy a$d $e."ia"i$1 They li2ewi#e 0er#i#"e$"ly !ail1 B&" "he $arra"r he#i"a"e# "

c$de+$ "hi# .r&0 c+0le"ely1 Thr&.h a le8ic$ ! wi#d+ wrd#' "he %al&e# ! "he

warrir a$d "he %al&e# ! "he witan are 0laced i$ ir$ic 9&8"a0#i"i$1 The %al&e# ! "he

witan are re0re#e$"ed "hr&.h&" "he 0e+ a# "he %al&e# ! 2$wled.e' a$d "hey

c$#"i"&"e a 0e"ic #0here ! beha%ir' +rali"y' a$d #cie"y "ha" ca$ rea#$ably be called

"he c&l"&re ! wi#d+1 

ii

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ,ART I: I NTRODUCTION: THE R OLE OF THE WARRIOR 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111/

  ,ART II: THE FORMAL AUTHORIT5 OF THE WITAN111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

  ,ART III: THE CULTURE OF WISDOM IN BEOWULF1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111/)

  ,ART I;: CONCLUSION: THE TERMINOLOG5 OF WISDOM IN BEOWULF1111111111111111(<

  ,ART ;: BIBLIOGRA,H511111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111</

 

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,ar" I: I$"rd&c"i$: The Rle ! "he Warrir

The c++&$al !&$c"i$ ! "he warrir i$ Beowulf  ha# bee$ well3dc&+e$"ed'

"hr&.hly e80lred a$d c$"e$"i&#ly deba"ed1 Schlar# .e$erally a.ree "ha" Bew&l!

c+e# " De$+ar2 " !ill a #0eci!ic #cial rle "ha" i# $ece##ary !r Her" " !&$c"i$

 0r0erly1/  Thi# rle de# $" $e.a"e Bew&l!6# e##e$"ial i$di%id&ali#+1 Bew&l! ha#

 0he$+e$al #"re$."h a$d a" lea#" a lcal re0&"a"i$' a$d "he#e -&ali"ie# a&.+e$" "he

 0e+6# dra+a"ic i$"e$#i"y1 A#ide !r+ bei$. a re+ar2able i$di%id&al' Bew&l! al#

#a"i#!ie# a$ e##e$"ial !&$c"i$ ! "he c++&$i"y1 The 0e" e80li"# "he e8e+0lary a$d

 0ree+i$e$" +del ! "he warrir " i$"err.a"e a$ ideali=ed #cial rle "ha" Bew&l!

 0er#$i!ie#1

Thi# #cial rle i$%l%e# hi#"rical a$d li"erary c$%e$"i$# "ha" e$"ail #0eci!ic

bli.a"i$# a$d a h#" ! di!!ere$" -&ali!ier#1 Mder$ i$"er0re"a"i$ ! "he wr2 i#

i$e%i"ably di!!ic&l" beca&#e we are # !ar de"ached !r+ "he $&a$ce# "ha" "he a&die$ce !

 Beowulf w&ld ha%e i$#"i$c"i%ely #e$#ed1 Thi# 0rble+ $ce led #chlar# " a##&+e "ha"

 Beowulf re!lec"# li""le +re "ha$ 0e"ic barbari#+' lac2i$. #0hi#"ica"i$ a$d $arra"i%e

&$i"y1 Schlar#hi0 "ha" hel0# " e80lica"e "he #cial c$%e$"i$# ! Beowulf's i$i"ial

/ >h$ Hal%er#$6# ?The Wrld ! Bew&l!@ 3 de#cribe# hw Bew&l! !&l!ill# "he rle ! "he

warrir a$d di#0lace# Hr"h.ar a# "he ce$"ral !c&# whe$ he e$"er# "he hall1

/

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a&die$ce i# $eeded i$ rder " re!&"e "he 0ri+i"i%i#+ "ha" "he#e i$"er0re"er# ha%e alle.ed1

S"ill' Bew&l! re#e+ble# charac"er# li2e Achille# r 5ahweh' wh#e ra$.e !

e80re##i$ #i+0ly %erwhel+# "he hi#"rical c$%e$"i$# "ha" #&rr&$d a li"erary .e$re1

The way hi# #cial !&$c"i$ i# re0re#e$"ed' !ir#" a# a warrir 0##ibly e%e$ a wrecca a$d

la"er a# a 2i$.' e#"abli#he# a 0ec&liar rela"i$#hi0 be"wee$ "he i$di%id&al a$d "he

c++&$i"y1 Tha" i# " #ay' "he 0e" &#e# "he #cial rle ! "he warrir " de!i$e Bew&l!'

 b&" al# &#e# Bew&l! " de!i$e "he warrir6# #cial rle1

Shari$. +a$y ele+e$"# wi"h Beowulf ' Judith ill&#"ra"e# a$"her' a$d #li.h"ly

di!!ere$"' ideali=ed %i#i$ ! "he warrir1

 

T acc++da"e #&ch a !i.&re' "he #"ry ad0"#

a Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e where "he .lri!ica"i$ ! %ile$ce i# rec$ciled wi"h h&+ili"y1

>&di"h deca0i"a"e# "he +$#"er3li2e Hl!er$e# a$d +a2e# a #&00lica"i$ " Gd1 I$ "he

 biblical "e8"' "he Be"h&lia$# reward her wi"h a$ a##r"+e$" ! d+e#"ic i"e+#1 By

c$"ra#"' "he Old E$.li#h 0e" i$"rd&ce# a reward ! ar+r a$d wea0$#' a clear

a##er"i$ ! "radi"i$al #ec&lar %al&e#' "h&.h #&ch heric reward# d $" c$"ra%e$e "he

!&$da+e$"ally Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e ! "he #"ry1 I! "he ri.i$al reward ! "he d+e#"ic

i"e+# #i.$i!ie# a re"&r$ " $r+alcy r a" lea#" a reli$-&i#hi$. ! %ile$ce' "he$ "he

i$"er0la"ed .i!"3.i%i$. i$dica"e# a$ &$willi$.$e## " lea%e "he #wrd a$d ar+r behi$d1

I$ Beowulf ' "he 0e" re0re#e$"# "he warrir6# rle wi"h .rea"er de0"h a$d

a+bi%ale$ce "ha$ !&$d i$ Judith1 The 0er#0ec"i%e al"er$a"e# be"wee$ a!!ir+i$.'

ir$i=i$.' r #"e$#ibly c$de+$i$. Bew&l!6# #cial a$d !"e$ #ec&lar bli.a"i$#1 The

warrir #er%e#' i$ #+e ++e$"#' a# a #"abili=i$. rle i$ "hi# #cie"y a$d' !r Bew&l!

#0eci!ically' ?I" i# hi# $a"&ral !&$c"i$' a# i" were' " re#"re rder where i" ha# bee$

(

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&0#e"1@(  The ab#e$ce ! "he warrir lead# " "he i$e%i"able di##l&"i$ ! c++&$i"y1

?Wha" i# wr$. i$ De$+ar2'4 Hal%er#$ re+ar2#' 4i# $" # +&ch "ha" Gre$del "erri!ie#

"he 0e0le b&" "ha" "he .rea" hall #"a$d# 6idel a$d &$$y"16@   The hall i# ?e+0"y a$d

&#ele##'@ $" beca&#e i" lac2# 0e0le b&" beca&#e $ warrir de!e$d# i"1 Whe$ Bew&l!

 0&blicly #ha+e# H&$!er"h' "he a&die$ce i# c+0elled " c$#ider whe"her H&$!er"h

hi+#el! !ailed " !&l!ill "he warrir6# rle:

" $!re Gre$del #wa !ela .ryra .e!re+ede'

a"l .lca' ealdre i$&+'hy$ $ Her"e' .i! i$ hi.e wre'

#e!a #wa #ear.ri+ #wa & #el! "ala#"J

ac he ha!a $!&$de$ " he a !he $e ear!'a"le ec.rce ewer lede

#wie $#i""a$' Si.e3Scyldi$.aJ

$y+e $ydbade' $$e.&+ aralede De$i.a' ac he l&#" wi.e'

#we!e' $d#e$de' #ecce $e we$e

" Gar3De$&+1 Ac ic hi+ Gea"a #ceal

ea! $d elle$ &$.eara $&'.&e .ebeda$1 /a3K)a

"ha" Gre$del' "he "errible a##aila$"' w&ld $e%er ha%e 0er0e"ra"ed # +a$yhrrr# &0$ y&r leader' h&+ilia"i$ i$ Her"' i! y&r +i$d a$d hear" were a#

c&$$i$.ly !ierce a# y& c$#ider y&r#el!1 B&" he ha# di#c%ered "ha" he de#$6"

$eed " dread ha"e!&l #wrd3a##a&l" !r+ y&r 0e0le' "he Victory3Da$e#1 B&" I "hi+ #hall bri$. "he #"re$."h a$d c&ra.e ! "he Gea"#' #$ $w' a$ !!er i$ war1

Fir#"' Bew&l! hld# H&$!er"h re#0$#ible !r Hr"h.ar6# h&+ilia"i$ a$d i+0lie# "ha"

H&$!er"h ha# 0er#$ally allwed "he $ear3de#"r&c"i$ ! hi# leode1 U$li2e "he Breca

di.re##i$' which de+a$d# a c+0ari#$ ! #"re$."h' r "he char.e ! !ra"ricide' which

de+a$d# a c+0ari#$ ! +rali"y' "hi# cri"ici#+ de+a$d# a c+0ari#$ be"wee$ "he

%al&e #y#"e+# ! "w $a"i$#' "he Gar-Dene a$d "he Geatas. Th&#' Bew&l! -&ali!ie# hi#

( Hal%er#$' ?The Wrld O! Bew&l!'@ K)(1

Ibid1' K)1

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?#"re$."h@ a$d ?c&ra.e@ a# c++&$al' r #hared' a""rib&"e#1 He &#e# "he#e %al&e# i$

 9&8"a0#i"i$ " cri"ici=e "he Da$i#h $a"i$ a$d " !rce a c+0ari#$ ! #cial

bli.a"i$#1 I$ "her wrd#' "he Gar-Dene are %&l$erable beca&#e "hey lac2 a warrir'

while "he Geatas are 0wer!&l beca&#e "hey ca$ a!!rd " e80r" $e1 Bew&l! c$cl&de#

"hi# #e-&e$ce wi"h a$ ?!!er i$ war@ which i#' $ "he #&r!ace' direc"ed "ward Gre$del'

 b&" ha$.# +i$&#ly %er "he i++edia"ely 0recedi$. c+0ari#$ where Bew&l!

 0rclai+# "he #&0erir #"re$."h ! Gea"# %er Da$e#1

The !a+&# di#0&"a"i$ be"wee$ Bew&l! a$d H&$!er"h ill&#"ra"e# Bew&l!6#

 belie! i$ "he $ece##i"y ! a warrir !r a c++&$i"y6# #&r%i%al1 Thi# $ece##i"y e#"abli#he#

"he 0e+6# +#" #i.$i!ica$" 0arad8' !r "he warrir i# e##e$"ially de#"r&c"i%e a# well1

Wi"h a warrir' a c++&$i"y ca$ e80ec" "he i$e%i"able cycle# ! bld %e$.ea$ce' ?a

+ral i+0era"i%e "ha" +&#" be heeded' accrdi$. " "he #cial cde# ! "he "i+e1@ <  The

e#cala"i$. $a"&re ! %e$.ea$ce i# de#"r&c"i%e a$d "he warrir ca$$" be e%e$3ha$ded1

Ra"her' he #h&ld . bey$d "he ac" " which he re#0$d#: i! "w ! hi# c&#i$# are 2illed'

he #h&ld 2ill "hree ! hi# e$e+y6#1 Ob%i&#ly' "hi# bli.a"i$ will deci+a"e b"h

c++&$i"ie# i$ a #hr" "i+e1  C$#ideri$. "ha" a$y .i%e$ hall i# "ied " a $&+ber ! "he#e

cycle# ! %e$.ea$ce' "he "ribal 2i$. 9&#"i!iably e80re##e# a$8ie"y %er "he rle ! "he

warrir i$ hi# hall1

I$ Bew&l!' hwe%er' "he warrir al# ha# bli.a"i$# "ha" e8"e$d bey$d #ec&ri"y

a$d re%e$.e1 Gi%e$ "he de+$ic $a"&re ! Gre$del' Bew&l! carrie# a cer"ai$ a+&$" !

< F&l2' B9r2 a$d Nile#' Beowulf l88ii1

Hal%er#$' ?The Wrld O! Bew&l!'@ 1

  <

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di%i$e a&"hri"y:

I$ "he li!e "e+0ral Gre$del i# b&" a ca$$ibali#"ic +$#"er 5e" i$ "he +i$d ! 

"he 0e"' hi# !l2lre .ia$"#' li2e "h#e i$ Genesis' #ee+ " ha%e bec+ea##cia"ed wi"h 6"he whle c+0a$y ! "he da+$ed'6 "he Bdy ! Sa"a$1 O$e i#

"e+0"ed " #&r+i#e "ha" "he a&"hr ! Beowulf ! e$%i#i$ed "he race ! Cai$ i$ i"#"i+ele## a# well a# "ra$#i"ry #"a"e' a$d "h&#' a# by a bld +e"a0hr' c$cei%ed ! Gre$del a$d hi# da+ a# already de$i=e$# ! hell1K

 Ne%er"hele##' Bew&l! re+ai$# &$aware ! a$y Chri#"ia$ ri.h"e&#$e## he +ay bear1

O$e !eel# "ha"' !r Bew&l!' di$. Gd6# wr2 i# a$ &$wi""i$. ci$cide$"al ac"1 I$ "he

ca#e ! Gre$del' Bew&l!6# #ec&lar de#ire !r .lry ci$cide# wi"h "he Chri#"ia$ de+a$d

" 00#e "he 2i$ ! Cai$1 Wha" "he reader #h&ld +a2e ! "hi# +ral a+bi.&i"y i#

di!!ic&l" " #ay' b&" i" +ay e$c&ra.e "he a&die$ce " wre#"le wi"h "he ri.h"e&#$e## !

 0a.a$ here#1 I$ "he e$d' Bew&l!6# de#ire !r "he "rea#&re hard' a$"i"he"ical " "he

Chri#"ia$ +rali"y ! "he "i+e' i# re+ar2able1 A" "he ++e$" be!re he die#' he bec+e#

b#e##ed wi"h "he +a"erial #i.$i!ica"i$ ! hi# li!e1 ,erha0# "he 0e" cri"i-&e# Bew&l!6#

i$abili"y " di#"i$.&i#h be"wee$ ri.h"e&# a$d #ha+e!&l beha%ir1 B&" are a$y

al"er$a"i%e# !!ered Hr"h.ar6# !a+&# #er+$' a #0eech c$#0ic&&#ly all&#i%e "

Chri#"ia$ #&rce#' #ee+# " !!er Bew&l! a wrld%iew "ha" c&ld ha%e cha$.ed hi#

le.acy:

"he #er+$ .a%e Hr"h.ar6# e80la$a"i$ ! "he ca&#e ! hi# +i#ery' a$d by

recalli$. $w "ha" "her +$#"r&# a!!lic"i$' "he 0e" al# c$"ri%e# " recall "ha"

e80la$a"i$ a$d Hr"h.ar6# war$i$. " Bew&l!1 We re+e+ber hw he &r.ed

Bew&l! " l2 " hi# #0iri"&al ar+r' " #h&$ 0ride' " #ee2 e"er$al .ai$ $"ear"hly "rea#&re' 2$wi$. "ha" dea"h +&#" %erc+e hi+ a" la#" a$d a$"her 

di#0#e ! hi# weal"h1

Gld#+i"h i$!er# "ha" !r Bew&l! " bec+e a .d 2i$.' he +&#" ad0" "he e"hic# !

K Ha+il"$' ?The Reli.i&# ,ri$ci0le i$ Bew&l!'@ ((1

 Gld#+i"h' ?The Chri#"ia$ ,er#0ec"i%e i$ Beowulf '@ *(3*1

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wi#d+ e#0&#ed by Hr"h.ar1 Hr"h.ar +ay be a 0a.a$' b&" hi# #er+$ a$"ici0a"e# a

$ew e"h#1 R"ed i$ a Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e' "hi# e"h# !!er# "he 0##ibili"y !r a

warrir6# #&cce##!&l ad0"i$ ! c++&$al %al&e#' which I call "he %al&e# ! wi#d+1

K

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,ar" II: The Fr+al A&"hri"y ! "he Wi"a$

>1 D1 A1 O.il%y $ce +ade a rare ac2$wled.e+e$" ! "he witan's a&"hri"y i$

 Beowulf ?Wealh"hew' "he a$8i&# +"her' +&#" ha%e bee$ aware "ha" her y&$. #$#

were li2ely " be #e" a#ide by "he witan i$ !a%r ! Hr"h&l!' a# "he #$# ! E"helred !

We##e8 were 0a##ed %er i$ !a%r ! Al!red "he Grea"1@*  Here' "he witan were e80ec"ed

" 0eace!&lly !acili"a"e "he "ra$#!er ! 0wer " Hr"h&l!' wh w&ld ha%e re"ai$ed "ha"

a&"hri"y a# "here"ically a re.e$"1 Wealh"hew #ay# ! Hr"h&l!:

" he a .e.e wile

ar&+ healda$ .y! & r $$e he'

wi$e Scildi$.a' wrld !l"e#"Jwe$e ic " he +id .de .ylda$ wille

&$cra$ ea!era$ //*/b3//*a

"ha" he will hld "he y&"h# i$ h$r' i! y&' !rie$d ! "he Scyldi$.# #h&ld

de0ar" "he wrld be!re he de#1 I e80ec" "ha" wi"h .d he will re0ay &r 

childre$1

The witan a00are$"ly 0re#er%ed "he dy$a#"ic li$e &$"il $e ! "he childre$ wa# ld e$&.h

" r&le1 Whe$ Hr"h.ar "hr&#"# Bew&l! i$" "he li$e ! #&cce##i$' he "here!re &#&r0#

"he "radi"i$al a&"hri"y ! "he witan1 Wealh"hew6# c+0lai$" i# $" $ly ba#ed $ her

de#ire a# a +"her " e$#&re "he #ec&ri"y ! her #$# b&" al# $ a$ i+0r"a$" i$#"i"&"i$

di#0laced by "he i$"ere#"# ! a !rei.$er1 I a.ree wi"h O.il%y6# ar.&+e$" a$d i"# brader

* O.il%y' ?U$!er"h: Fil " Bew&l!@ 1

 

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i+0lica"i$# " "he 0e+' a$d !&r"her a$aly#i# will c$%ey "he ce$"rali"y ! "he witan i$

"he 0e+1

A #i.$i!ica$" #e+a$"ic c+0lica"i$ ha# i+0eded &r &$der#"a$di$. ! "he witan1

laeber6# de!i$i"i$# #1%1 wita ha%e bee$ i$"er0re"ed +&ch " bradly1 The "ra$#la"i$

?wi#e +e$@ c$%ey# $ i$#"i"&"i$al r a&"hri"a"i%e #i.$i!ica$ce1 ,erha0# i" de#

de#cribe a cer"ai$ e#"ee+ !r+ "he c++&$i"y' b&" e%e$ "ha" 0erce0"i$ i# i$!ere$"ial1

While "he wrd ?c&$cilr#@ c$$"e# +re !r+ali"y' i" !ail# " deli$ea"e "he ac"&al

i$#"i"&"i$1 ?Di0l+a"#@ r ?+i$i#"er#@ +re a00r0ria"ely de#i.$a"e a #0eci!ic 0#i"i$

! a&"hri"a"i%e re#0$#ibili"y wi"hi$ "he hierarchy ! "he cla$1 The witan #h&ld be

c$#idered a$ i$#"i"&"i$ ! .%er$a$ce1 By "hi$2i$. ! "he .r&0 a# a !r+al i$#"i"&"i$'

a c++i""ee ! di0l+a"# r +i$i#"er# "ha" carry 0li"ical a&"hri"y' we crea"e "he

a00r0ria"e 0er#0ec"i%e# "ha" "he $arra"r i$"e$ded !r "he a&die$ce " &$der#"a$d

Bew&l!6# rle a# a warrir1

While "he hi#"rical e%ide$ce ! "he witan i# #ca$" a$d &$reliable' >1 R1

Maddic""6# "he Ori#ins of the En#lish $arlia%ent &(-)*+  0r%ide# $ew a$d %al&able

i$#i.h"#:

"he early Ger+a$ic "radi"i$ ! lar.e a##e+blie# i$ which $$3$ble !ree+e$had #+e 0ar" " 0lay $" $ly #&r%i%ed b&" !l&ri#hed' while el#ewhere i$ E&r0e

d&ri$. "he la"e "e$"h a$d ele%e$"h ce$"&rie# "ha" "radi"i$ !ailed Fr+ "he #"ar"

! "he 0erid "he re.&lari"y a$d !re-&e$cy ! "he +ee"i$.# ! ce$"ral a##e+blie#'

a$d "he brad b&" c$#i#"e$" ra$.e ! "heir b&#i$e##' .a%e "he+ "he charac"er ! a$i$#"i"&"i$1 The#e !ea"&re# #h&ld i$ "he+#el%e# i$hibi" &# !r+ re.ardi$.

a##e+blie# a# $ +re "ha$ .a"heri$.# ! "he 2i$.6# 6wi#e +e$6: "he li"eral

"ra$#la"i$ ! "he wrd 6wi"a$6 al+#" alway# &#ed i$ law#' char"er#' a$d "he$arra"i%e# ! "he Chr$icle' a$d !"e$ " i$ 0e"ry a$d h+ile"ic 0r#e' "

de#cribe "hi# bdy1 I"# +e+ber# were $" +erely 6wi"a$6J "hey c+0ri#ed 6"he

wi"a$61

Maddic""' "he Ori#ins of the En#lish $arlia%ent ' <3)1

  *

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Maddic"" #hw# "hr&.h "he law#' char"er#' 0e"ry' a$d 0r#e "ha" "he wrd 6wi"a$6 ha# a

"e8"&al hi#"ry wi"h i$#"i"&"i$al a##cia"i$#1 Mre%er' he c$cl&de# "ha"' be!re "he

 Nr+a$ i$%a#i$' "he 0hra#e 6wi"e$a .e+"6 wa#' ?e+0lyed i$ a #&!!icie$"ly &$i!r+

way a$d i$ #&!!icie$"ly #i+ilar c$"e8"#' " #&..e#" "ha" c$"e+0rarie# had a clear #e$#e

! "he 6wi"e$a .e+"6 a# a bdy wi"h a de!i$ed ide$"i"y a$d rle1@/) Wha"e%er "he

hi#"rical recrd +i.h" be' Maddic""6# re#earch 0r%e# "ha" "he wrd witan ha# c$#i#"e$"

"e8"&al a##cia"i$#' "hr&.h a %arie"y ! dc&+e$"#' "ha" #&00r" i"# di#"i$c" ide$"i"y a$d

i$#"i"&"i$al a&"hri"y1 A "e8"&al hi#"ry ! #&ch c$#i#"e$cy de+a$d# a ree8a+i$a"i$ !

"he a""e#"a"i$# ! witan i$ Beowulf a$d "he .r&06# brader #i.$i!ica$ce i$ "he 0e+1

/) Ibid1' )1

 

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,ar" III: The C&l"&re ! Wi#d+ i$ Beowulf 

The !ir#" wrd# !r+ Bew&l! are &""ered #$ a!"er he a$d hi# "ra%eli$. ba$d !

Gea"# di#e+bar2 !r+ "heir #hi01 Fr "he a&die$ce' a# +&ch a# !r "he Da$i#h ca#".&ard'

hi# i$"e$"i$# are &$clear' a$d hi# 0re#e$ce i# .ree"ed wi"h +ild alar+1 Ser%i$. a# a

!r+al i$"rd&c"i$' Bew&l!6# #0eech di#0lay# a #0hi#"ica"ed rhe"ric' wh#e 0wer

relie# $ Bew&l!6# #"ra"e.ic c$#"r&c"i$ ! ide$"i"y1 The ca#".&ard a$d "he a&die$ce

a""e+0" " de"er+i$e wh' #y+blically a$d li"erally' ha# arri%ed i$ "he brderla$d#' "he

ca#" be"wee$ ci%ili=a"i$ a$d "he wild1 They ha%e rea#$ " be #&#0ici&#1 Bew&l!6#

de!" la$.&a.e direc"ly re#0$d# " hi# li#"e$er#6 a$8ie"ie#1 He 2$w# 0reci#ely wha" he

ha# " #ay i$ rder " .e" "he reac"i$ he $eed#1 I$ a$ i++edia"e way' he wa$"# "he

ca#".&ard " "a2e hi+ " Hr"h.ar' where he e+0ly# a$ al".e"her di!!ere$" 2i$d !

rhe"ric1 Hi# #0eech " "he ca#".&ard #&cceed# i$ "hi# e$d' b&" i" i# di!!ic&l"' a" !ir#"' "

&$der#"a$d why1 F&r"her+re' c+0e"i$. i$"er0re"a"i$# ! Bew&l!6# e8cha$.e wi"h "he

ca#".&ard ha# led " dra+a"ically di!!ere$" a##e##+e$"# ! Bew&l!6# ide$"i"y1

Be!re Bew&l! #0ea2#' hwe%er' "he ca#".&ard a$d a&die$ce ca$ $ly a##&+e

"he b%i&#' a !r+idable .r&0 ! ar+ed y&$. +e$ +ay "hrea"e$ "he 2i$.d+1 Ta2i$.

"hi# i$" c$#idera"i$' $e +&#" c$cl&de "ha" "he ca#".&ard i# ei"her ab#&rdly i.$ra$"

/)

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!r le""i$. Bew&l! 0rceed' r el#e he wa# 0er#&aded by "he warrir6# ra"ry1

Albrech" Cla##e$ e80re##e# $e well3re0re#e$"ed %iew' #ayi$. "ha"' ?"he .&ard

&$der#"a$d# "he #i.$i!ica$ce ! "heir wrd# a$d challe$.e# "he $ewc+er# " li%e &0 "

"heir #"a"e+e$"#1@//  The i$!ere$ce "ha" Bew&l! i# ba#"i$. ab&" hi# abili"ie# #ee+#

+i#.&ided' !r hi# #0eech c$"ai$# $$e ! "he e##e$"ial charac"eri#"ic# which de#cribe a

 ba#"' r deed# "ha" "hey w&ld $eed ?" li%e &0 "1@ Bew&l! +a2e# $ clai+# "

 0er#$al .lry' he de# $" de.e$era"e i$" a$.er' a$d he de# $" i$#&l" "he ca#".&ard

wi"h "a&$"# "ha" are +ea$" " di#0ara.e hi# heric abili"ie#1/(  I$"ere#"i$.ly' "hi# e8cha$.e

de# cc&r i$ !r$" ! a bdy ! wa"er' a "radi"i$al #e""i$. !r  flytin#  ra"ry "he "her

#e""i$. i#' ! c&r#e' "he +ead3hall1 5e"' Bew&l!6# #0eech i# +ar2ed wi"h #&ch

de!ere$ce' e%e$ b#e-&i&#$e##' "ha" i" ca$$" be re.arded a# a 0la"!r+ !r i$#&l"# r

arr.a$" e80re##i$# ! #el!3c$!ide$ce1 Li2e "he ca#".&ard' "he a&die$ce +ay be

a$"ici0a"i$. a flytin#  beca&#e ! "he #e""i$. b&" "he e80ec"a"i$ i++edia"ely di#a00ear# $

acc&$" ! Bew&l!6# di#ar+i$. rhe"ric1

F&r"her+re' Bew&l! $e%er .i%e# hi# $a+e " "he ca#".&ard1 Whe$ "he flytin#

cc&r# be"wee$ Bew&l! a$d H&$!er"h' $+i$al ide$"i"y +ar2er# are clearly a##er"ed a$d

e%e$ &#ed ir$ically " di#0ara.e "he 00#i$. 0ar"y1 The &#e ! "heir w$ $a+e#' a$d

"he a00#i"i$ "hey e+0ly' 0rclai+# $e6# 0ride i$ !r+al ra"ry a$d wa# well3r"ed

i$ "he "radi"i$ ! Ger+a$ic 0e"ry1 Bew&l!6# deci#i$ " $" .i%e hi# $a+e di#0lace# hi#

i$di%id&ali#+1

The $arra"r 0re!ace# "hi# #0eech by ac2$wled.i$. "ha" "he  yldesta "he ?elde#"'@

// Cla##e$' ?Why d "heir Wrd# Fail@ /1

/( Cl%er' ?The Ger+a$ic C$"e8" " "he U$!er"h E0i#de'@ <<<3<K*1

  //

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i# a$#weri$. "he i$-&iry ! "he ca#".&ard1 Beca&#e "he $arra"r ha# already re!erred "

Bew&l! a# a #eon# #u%a ?a y&$. +a$@' "he de#cri0"i$ e+0ha#i=e# "he re"ai$er#6

i$e80erie$ce1 The a&die$ce li2ely i$"er0re"# Bew&l!6# .r&0 a# a #eo#u,e a ba$d !

y&$. +e$' 0rbably #ee2i$. .lry a$d "rea#&re1 Thi# e80ec"a"i$ #h&ld .i%e "he

ca#".&ard' a$d "he a&die$ce' #eri&# 0a&#e ab&" "heir i$"e$"i$#1 5e" a re3e+0ha#i#

cc&r#' whe$ "he $arra"r re+ar2# "ha" Bew&l! wordhord onleac ?&$lc2ed hi# "rea#&re3

che#" ! wrd#'4 (b1 I$i"ially i$cli$ed " %iew Bew&l! "hr&.h "he le$# ! "he heric

warrir' "he a&die$ce $w re3de!i$e# Bew&l! a!"er bei$. i$"rd&ced i$ la$.&a.e wi"h

#0eci!ic a$d e8cl&#i%e 0e"ic re#$a$ce1 Nei"her wrd i# a""e#"ed el#ewhere i$ Beowulf '

a$d OE wordhord i# $ly !&$d i$ Old E$.li#h %er#e1 The $arra"r6# wrd# are

+e"a0hrically li$2ed " .i!"3e8cha$.e # !&$da+e$"al " "he 0e+6# c&l"&re !

$e."ia"i$1 I$ hi# ar"icle ?S0eech a# Gi!"'@ Rber" B9r2 re+ar2#' ?#0eech l#e# a

cr&cial a#0ec" ! i"# #cial !&$c"i$' i"# #"abili=i$. 0wer Si$ce wrd# !r "he A$.l3

Sa8$ c++&$i"y had "he #"a"&# ! b9ec"#' "hey al# bre "he +a"erial !a"e ! #&ch

b9ec"#1@/  A00r0ria"ely' "he $arra"r !ir#" i$"rd&ce# Bew&l! a# a +a#"er ! wrd#'

i+0lyi$. hi# 4#"abili=i$. 0wer'@ which i# $e%er"hele## $ly e#"abli#hed # "ha" i" ca$ be

#ee$ " di#i$"e.ra"e a# "he 0e+ 0r.re##e#1/<  I! Bew&l!6# "rea#&ry ! wrd# #i.$i!ie# a

 0e"ic di#0#i"i$' "he$ 0erha0# hi# la#" wi#h " be b&ried wi"h hi# +a"erial weal"h i# a$

ir$ic #y+bl !r "he !ail&re ! la$.&a.e " 0re%e$" hi# w$ de#"r&c"i$1 He +ay ha%e

!ailed " re"ai$ "he 0wer ! la$.&a.e "ha" re!lec"# $e."ia"ed 0eace a$d 0r#0eri"y1

I$ hi# #0eech " "he ca#".&ard' Bew&l! achie%e# i+0re##i%e rhe"rical ac&+e$

/ B9r2' ?S0eech a# Gi!"'@ *31

/< Thi# i# 0reci#ely wha" B9r2 ar.&e# a# well1

/(

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which i# re%ealed i$ "he ca#".&ard6# re#0$#e1 While "he e8ac" +ea$i$. ! "he

ca#".&ard6# #"a"e+e$"# i# widely deba"ed' e%ery$e a.ree# "ha" "he he wa# e!!ec"i%ely

 0er#&aded by Bew&l!1 I$ deci0heri$. hi# +ea$i$.' "he c$ce0" ! wrd# a$d deed# i#

ce$"ral " a$y 0er#0ec"i%e:

6.hwre# #ceal

#cear0 #cyldwi.a .e#cad wi"a$'wrda $d wrca' #e e wel e$ce16 (*b3(*b

A #har0 #hield+a$ wh "hi$2# well #h&ld 2$w "he di#"i$c"i$ be"wee$ wrd#

a$d deed#1

Ma$y ha%e a##&+ed "ha" "he ca#".&ard i+0lie# "ha" Bew&l! ca$$" di#"i$.&i#h be"wee$

wrd# a$d deed#' a$d "ha" "hi# c$!&#i$ ca&#e# hi# i$!la"ed la$.&a.e1 N"hi$. ab&"

Bew&l!6# #0eech w&ld ha%e i$#0ired "hi# re#0$#e' hwe%er1 He e%e$ be.i$#' ?We #y$"

.&+cy$$e# Gea"a lede@ (K)a3b' a clear a##er"i$ ! "he #"r$. b$d he #hare# wi"h a

lar.er c++&$i"y a$d a di#0lace+e$" ! hi# i$di%id&al ide$"i"y1 He .i%e# hi# !a"her6#

$a+e' which w&ld #ee+ " be a re.re##i$ i$" #el!3.lri!ica"i$:

 Fru%cyn i# a ha0a8 le.+e$$' a c+0&$d ! fru% 0ri+al' ri.i$al' !ir#" a$d

cyn 2i$1 The 0e"6# &#e ! "he wrd a# 0ar" ! hi# -&e#"i$i$. ! "he

di#e+bar2i$. Gea"# #hw# "ha" a #i.$i!ica$" 0ar" ! "he warrir6# ide$"i"y wa# b&$d &0 wi"h hi# a$ce#"ry1/

Fr+ Ec.ew6# $a+e "he ca#".&ard a$d by e8"e$#i$ "he a&die$ce i# e$c&ra.ed "

i$!er Bew&l!6# li$ea.e1 B&" li$.&i#"ically' a$d i$ "her way#' "hi# #&b"le de!erral

rei$!rce# a de!ere$"ial 0#e1 Bew&l! "ell# "he ca#".&ard "ha" hi# !a"her wa# 2$w$ "

"he 0e0le a# a$ ?ele rd!r&+a@ 4a $ble leader'4 (Ka1 I! he were clai+i$. "ha" hi#

!a"her had achie%ed .lry r wa# a !a+&# wrec2er ! +ead be$che#' "he ba#" c&ld be

 0ercei%ed a# "hrea"e$i$.1 By declari$. "ha" hi# !a"her wa# well3re.arded i$ "he Da$i#h

/ Dr&"' ?Bld# a$d Deed#'@ ()K1

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c++&$i"y' Bew&l! #&..e#"# "ha" "he ca#".&ard $eed $" wrry ab&" a ra+0a.i$.

 #eo#u,e1 I$deed' Bew&l! i+0lie# "ha" hi# !a"her' a# a $ble leader' +ay ha%e bee$ a

di0l+a" r a" lea#" a !i.&re wi"h c++&$al a&"hri"y' a #"a"&# "ha" w&ld rede!i$e "he

$a"&re ! Gea"#6 0re#e$ce1

We lear$ $e8" "ha" Bew&l!6# !a"her re+ai$ed !r +a$y wi$"er# be!re he "&r$ed "

"he we#  dea"h' e&0he+i#"ically' ld i$ year#1 Heric warrir# were b%i&#ly $"

2$w$ !r a$ e8"e$ded li!e e80ec"a$cy1 Bew&l! de# $" i+0ly hi# !a"her6# cwardice

 b&" #ee+# " c$%ey "ha" hi# !a"her wa# $" a warrir1 Gi%e$ wha" we !i$d &" ab&"

Bew&l!6# !a"her' "hi# +i#direc"i$ i# a$ b%i&# e%a#i$1 Fr Bew&l!' "he #0eech i# a

 0er!r+a$ce wi"h a #0eci!ic b9ec"i%e' a$d "he bald "r&"h i# irrele%a$"1 We lear$ !r+

Hr"h.ar "ha" Bew&l!6# !a"her !e&ded wi"h "he Wyl!i$.# a$d #&.h" re!&.e a+$. "he

Da$e#1 A00are$"ly a %ici&# warrir' Ec.ew re-&ired a wer#ild " be 0aid $ hi# behal!

!r a dead Wyl!i$.1

I! Bew&l!6# ra"i$ were i$"e$ded a# a ba#"' he c&ld ha%e re.aled "he

ca#".&ard wi"h a li#" ! hi# !a"her6# deed#1 S&ch 0rai#e w&ld ha%e de+$#"ra"ed a

"hrea"e$i$. 0a"er$i"y' #i$ce "he ca#".&ard6# w$ 2i$. had $ce !!ered " 0ay !r

rec$cilia"i$ !r+ a "r&ble#+e !rei.$er1 Bew&l! de# $" wa$" "he ca#".&ard "

ha%e "hi# i$!r+a"i$1 He a%id# i+0lici"ly 0r&d r "hrea"e$i$. declara"i$# a$d

c$"i$&e# " re0re#e$"' !al#ely' "he i+a.e ! a 0eace!&l le.acy:

hi$e .earwe .e+a$

wi"e$a welhwylc wide .e$d era$1 (Kb3(KKb 

Each di0l+a" ! "he witan all %er "he ear"h readily recall# hi+1

The witan c+0ri#e a #0eci!ic .r&0 wi"hi$ "he c++&$i"y "ha" re0re#e$"# "he %al&e# !

/<

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di0l+acy' $e."ia"i$ a$d c$cilia"i$1 Here' "he #0eci!ica"i$ ! "he witan rea##&re#

"he ca#".&ard ! Bew&l!6# 0eace!&l i$"e$"i$#1 He i$!er# a heredi"ary a##cia"i$'

which i# $ li.h" b$d !r "he A$.l3Sa8$#' wi"h "he c++&$i"y6# a##e+bly a$d

#&..e#"# "ha" he will !&l!ill "hi# le.acy i$ "he re#l&"i$ ! c$!lic"1 The i$!ere$ce i#

c$!ir+ed whe$ Bew&l! #"a"e# "ha" he i$"e$d# " rd #elran 4ad%i#e PHr"h.arQ i$

c&$cil'4 (*b1 The #0eech " "he ca#".&ard $" $ly b#c&re# hi# rle a# a warrir' b&"

direc"ly a##er"# "ha" he ha# c+e " be a$ ad%i#r i$ "he 2i$.6# c&$cil1

The a&die$ce #h&ld e80ec" "ha" "he ca#".&ard rec.$i=e# "he witan's c++&$al

rle 9&#" a# i" #h&ld e80ec" a$y charac"er " be aware ! "he rle ! a e8ile' a -&ee$' a

2i$.' r a warrir1 Thi# e80ec"a"i$ le$d# dra+a"ic ir$y " Bew&l!6# #0eech " "he

ca#".&ard1 N" $ly de# Bew&l! +a$i0&la"e "he ca#".&ard by !ei.$i$. a$ a##cia"i$

wi"h "he witan b&" a# a warrir he dele.i"i+i=e# "he i$#"i"&"i$1 I! "he witan were "

#&cceed a# +dera"r# ! 0eace' warrir# #&ch a# Bew&l! w&ld l#e "heir #"a"&# i$ "he

c++&$i"y1 They w&ld ha%e $ rle " !ill1 Th&#' Bew&l! ha# e%ery +"i%a"i$ "

#&b%er" "hi# .r&01

A# $"ed ab%e' "he &#e ! OE we a" "he be.i$$i$. ! "he #0eech " "he ca#".&ard

e#"abli#he# Bew&l!6# c$$ec"i$ " a lar.er .r&01 Thi# rela"i$ i# c+0&$ded $ li$e

(K(b' whe$ Bew&l! 0i$"# &" "ha" hi# !a"her wa# ?!lc&+ .ecyed@ 42$w$ " "he

 0e0le41 The c++&$al #i.$i!ier i# dra+a"ically acce$"&a"ed whe$ he clai+# "ha" 4e%ery

wi#e +a$ PwitenaQ$ "he ear"h readily recalled hi+4 (Kb3(KKb.  Thi# recllec"i$

+ar2# Bew&l!6# 0r.re##i%e #"ra"e.y " 0ri%ile.e "he %al&e# ! "he c++&$i"y %er "he

i$di%id&al1 By ac2$wled.i$. "ha" he a$d hi# +e$ were Hy.elac6# heor,#eneatas

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4hear"h3c+0a$i$#'4 (K/b a$d by b#er%i$. Hr"h.ar a# a leod#eyr#ean 40r"ec"r

! "he 0e0le'4 (Ka' Bew&l! ele%a"e# "he c++&$al %al&e# ! wi#e ci"i=e$#hi0 %er

"h#e ! heric i$"er%e$"i$1

A ba#" r #il/ re-&ire# "ha" a$ i$di%id&al rally 0rclai+ "heir 0red+i$a$ce

%er a$"her 0er#$ wh i#' #+e"i+e#' a re0re#e$"a"i%e e8"e$#i$ ! "he c++&$i"y1 A"

"he %ery lea#"' a !r+al ba#" i# a +ea$# !r a$ i$di%id&al " a##er" hi# ide$"i"y1 Bew&l!

i$#"ead de#cribe# a de#ire !r 0eace' a$ b9ec"i%e he clai+# by 0a"er$al bir"hri.h"1 He

wa$"# "he ca#".&ard " "hi$2 "ha" i$di%id&al !a+e de# $" +"i%a"e hi# "ra%el "

De$+ar21 He "here!re b#c&re# hi# 0er#$al acc+0li#h+e$"# al".e"her1 While "he

$"i$ ! Bew&l! a# a Chri#" !i.&re i#' i$ +y 0i$i$' hard " #&#"ai$' "hi# de+$#"ra"i$

! h&+ili"y by a #ec&lar warrir i# re+ar2able1

I! Bew&l!6# 0e$i$. #0eech ca$$" c$#"i"&"e a ba#" d&e i" i"# a00eal " rd '

"he$ "he ca#".&ard6# re#0$#e +&#" be re3e8a+i$ed i$ "he c$"e8" ! wi#d+1 Cla##e$'

!r e8a+0le' +a2e# "he ar.&+e$":

The li$.&i#"ic e8cha$.e i# $ly a brea"h away !r+ #wrd#' b&" $ lie' $

dece0"i$' $ %erbal +a$i0&la"i$ e$"er# "he dial.&e1 The de!e$di$. warrir recei%e# !&ll i$!r+a"i$ ab&" "he +e$6# bac2.r&$d The .&ard &$der#"a$d#

"he #i.$i!ica$ce ! "heir wrd# a$d challe$.e# "he $ewc+er# " li%e &0 " "heir 

#"a"e+e$"#/K  

5e" Bew&l!6# #0eech i# ri!e wi"h dece0"i$1 He b#c&re# "he "r&e ide$"i"y ! hi# !a"her'

+e$"i$i$. $"hi$. ! "he wer#ild 0aid by "he ca#".&ard6# w$ 2i$.1 A# "hi# c$!e##i$

w&ld ha%e 0r%ided a c$$ec"i$ be"wee$ Gea"# a$d Da$e#1 The #0eech barely all&de#

" Gre$del a$d Bew&l! a%id# +a2i$. a$y i$dica"i$ ab&" &#i$. %ile$ce " de!ea" "he

+$#"er1 Beca&#e he i$"e$d# %ile$ce' he i# b%i&#ly e%a#i%e1 Th&.h dre##ed a# a

/K Cla##e$' ?Why d "heir Wrd# Fail@ /1

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warrir' he #0ea2# li2e a +e+ber ! "he witan .i%i$. rd ' "he 0reci#e c$ce##i$ "ha"

e$able# hi+ " e$"er De$+ar21 Addi"i$ally' hi# #0eech +a2e# # !ew c++i"+e$"# "ha"

"here i# hardly a$y"hi$. ?" li%e &0 "1@

The ca#".&ard i# $" re#0$di$. " a ba#"1 He c&ld be "elli$. Bew&l! "ha" hi#

deed# #h&ld be 0eace!&l' li2e hi# wrd#1 Gi%e$ "he 0"e$"ial "hrea" ! a y&$. war3ba$d'

"hi# e80ec"a"i$ i# rea#$able1 The 0rble+a"ic wrd #escad ' which +ea$# 49&d.e+e$"4

r 4di#cri+i$a"i$'4 cr&cially i$!lec"# "he 0a##a.e1 The +ea$i$. 49&d.e+e$"4 %alida"e#

"he 0re%i&# i$"er0re"a"i$1 B&" #+e e%ide$ce #&..e#"# "ha" #escad +ea$#

?di#"i$c"i$'@

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  by which re$deri$. "he wrd# a$d deed# +&#" be "w di!!ere$" -&ali"ie#

"ha" a warrir #h&ld be able " #e0ara"e' r 0ercei%e a# di#"i$c"1

R1 E1 a#2e' !r e8a+0le' clai+ed "ha" "he ca#".&ard i# re!erri$. " hi+#el!' "ha"

he c&ld di#"i$.&i#h "he deed# ! Bew&l!6# war3ba$d "heir bra=e$ a$d "hrea"e$i$.

arri%al by Bew&l!6# +lli!yi$. a$d di0l+a"ic #0eech: ?The ca#"warde$' #eei$. "he

Gea"# la$d' had !r+ed a$ i+0re##i$ ! "heir a&daci"yJ he $w lear$# "ha" "hey are

wi#ely led' a$d re+ar2# "ha" i" i# be#" " 9&d.e by wrd# a# well a# deed# wrd# a# "he

+ea$# ! 9&d.i$. sa/ientia a# deed# are "he +ea$# ! 9&d.i$. fortitudo1@/*  W1S1 Mac2ie

al# ar.&ed "ha" "he ca#".&ard re!er# " hi+#el!7"ha" he ?&$der#"a$d#@ Bew&l!6# wrd#

a$d "r&#"# "ha" "he her6# i$"e$ded deed# are $ble1 /  Thi# readi$. w&ld e80lai$ why "he

ca#".&ard i# willi$. " lead "he war3ba$d' !&lly ar+ed' #"rai.h" " "he 2i$.1 The

cc&0a"i$ ! "he ca#".&ard' a!"er all' re-&ire# $" +erely "ha" he aler" hi# $a"i$ "

/ >a+e# W1 Earl a$d arl We$"er#dr! #hw .e#cad " +ea$ a di#"i$c"i$ r di%i#i$ ! a 0hy#ical

 0r0er"y' a cha$$el ! wa"er di%idi$. "w la$d +a##e# i$ "he 0hy%in# $oe%.

/* a#2e' ? Sa0ie$"ia e" Fr"i"&d'@ <)1

/ Mac2ie' ?N"e# U0$ "he Te8" a$d I$"er0re"a"i$ ! Bew&l!@ /1

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i$%adi$. !rce# b&" al# "ha" he -&ic2ly di#cer$ !rie$d !r+ !e1 Bew&l!6# ali.$+e$"

wi"h "he %al&e# ! "he witan 0r%ide# #"r$. e%ide$ce !r a#2e6# a$d Mac2ie6#

i$"er0re"a"i$#1

Bew&l! 0air# witan wi"h rd a# a 0ar" ! hi# rhe"rical #"ra"e.y i$ hi# #0eech "

"he ca#".&ard1 He i+0lie# "ha" he i# a di0l+a" wh i$"e$d# " 6bear6 wi#d+ "

Hr"h.ar1 The a##cia"i$ ! "he witan wi"h rd i# e$"irely $a"&ral' "he i+0lica"i$ !

a+i"y a+0li!ied by "he 0airi$. ! "er+#1 The rd $ li$e /( i# a 0r0#al by "he witan

$ li$e /1 I$ a #"a"e ! de#0air %er Gre$del6# ra+0a.e#' "he Da$e# a""e+0" " re#l%e

"he #i"&a"i$ wi"h a c&$cil: ?M$i. !" .e#"' rice " r&$eJ rd eah"ed$@ ?Ma$y

!"e$ #a"' 0wer!&l +e$ i$ c&$#elJ "hey wei.hed ad%ice@ //b3/(1 The OE ad9ec"i%e

rice re!er# " a warrir' a 0ri$ce' r a 2i$.' i$ e%ery "her a""e#"a"i$ i$ Beowulf 1 I"

clearly de#i.$a"e# #i.$i!ica$" a&"hri"y1 By &#i$. i" " de#cribe +e$ i$ c&$cil' "he 0e"

li$.&i#"ically 9&8"a0#e# "he a&"hri"y ! 2i$.#' 0ri$ce#' a$d warrir# wi"h "he a&"hri"y !

"he witan1 Ra"her "ha$ e-&a"i$. "hi# i$di%id&al a$d #hared a&"hri"y' "he $arra"r #i.$i!ie#

"he i$#"i"&"i$al i+0r"a$ce ! c++&$al rle#1 Thi# ?0wer!&l@ witan !!er# "he rd !

a 0a.a$ reli.i&# !!eri$.' a #l&"i$ "ha" !ail# " re%er#e "he Da$e6# !r"&$e#1

E%e$ whe$ rd a$d "he witan are $" direc"ly 0aired' "hey #"ill re0re#e$" "he #a+e

#e" ! %al&e#1 I$ "he Here+d di.re##i$' rd  i+0lie# a "y0e ! wi#d+' r e%e$ a

wrld%iew' "ha" w&ld be whlly e$dr#ed by "he witan1 The a&die$ce i$"er0re"# "hi#

 0er#0ec"i%e by c$"ra#"i$. h&+ble !!er# ! 0eace wi"h de#"r&c"i%e e80#i"i$# ! 0ride:

$d e " #elre .ece#'

ece rda#J !erhyda $e .y+ /b3/K)b

a$d ch#e "he be""er !r y&r#el!' e"er$al c&$cil#1 D $" heed 0ride1

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Thi# c$ce0" ! c&$#el $e.a"e# i$di%id&al h&bri#' which i# "he lar.er #"ra"e.y !

Bew&l!6# #0eech " "he ca#".&ard a$d' i$ "hi# i$#"a$ce' Hr"h.ar6# #0eech " Bew&l!1

By 0ri%ile.i$. rd  a# a di!!ere$"' c++&$al .lry' Hr"h.ar .i%e# Bew&l! a$ al"er$a"i%e

" Here+d6# !a"e1 The al"er$a"i%e re-&ire# Bew&l! " e#chew "he e."i#"ical de#"r&c"i$

e+bdied by Here+d a$d " e+brace "he c++&$al %al&e# ! "he witan' which i#

#i.$i!ied by "heir wi#d+' r rd.

I$ li$e ()( rd re0re#e$"# a c$cilia"ry e!!r" " e$d a !e&d de#cribed i$ "he

Freawar& di.re##i$1 I$ a$ a""e+0" " e$d "hi# !e&d 0eace!&lly' Freawar& i# 0r+i#ed a# a

 bride " I$.eld1 A# Bew&l! 0i$"# &"' hwe%er: ?O!" #elda$ hwr !"er ledhryre

ly"le hwile b$.ar b&.e' eah #e bryd d&.e@ ?;ery #eld+ a$ywhere' a!"er a

leader6# !all' will "he %ile$" #0ear re#"' e%e$ i! "he bride i# .d'@  ()(b3()/b1 ,erha0#

Bew&l! #"a"e# c++$ 2$wled.e' de#cribi$. a wrld where arra$.ed +arria.e# !ail "

re#l%e c$!lic"1 Si.$i!ica$"ly' "he 0e" ha# Bew&l!7$" "he $arra"r7&""er "hi#

declara"i$1 The a&die$ce hear# Bew&l!6# 0i$i$' a 0er#0ec"i%e "ha" ill&#"ra"e# hi#

d&b"# ab&" 0eace!&l $e."ia"i$# by c++&$al a&"hri"y1 Gi%e$ "he rle ! "he witan'

hi# #"a"&# a# a warrir +a2e# "hi# 0er#0ec"i%e' "h&.h $" $ece##arily i$acc&ra"e' a" lea#"

 0redic"able1 I! Bew&l! e$dr#ed "he witan' he w&ld ha%e " reli$-&i#h a !&$da+e$"al

a#0ec" ! hi# ide$"i"y1

Fi$ally' i$ li$e# )a3)*b' Wi.la! #"a$d# %er Bew&l!6# bdy a$d cri"ici=e#

"he i$e!!ec"i%e$e## ! rd 1 He a$d "he re"ai$er# !ailed " c$%i$ce Bew&l! " $" !i.h"

"he dra.$' a$d "hi# la0#e i$ Wi.la!6# 9&d.e+e$" c#" Bew&l! hi# li!e1 A# i$ Freawar&6#

ca#e' rd i# i$e!!ec"&al7r a" lea#" !r+ Bew&l!6# 0er#0ec"i%e1 Wi.la!6# la+e$"

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hi.hli.h"# "he c$!lic" be"wee$ "h&.h"!&l c+0r+i#e a$d heric ac"i$ "hr&.h&" "he

 0e+1 N"ably' i$ "he 0e+6# !i$al &""era$ce $ "he i##&e' Wi.la! 0lace# "he bla+e $ "he

di0l+a"#6 i$abili"y " 0er#&ade Bew&l!' " .i%e e!!ec"i%e rd "ha" w&ld cha$.e hi#

#y#"e+ ! %al&e#1 While "he a&die$ce +ay e80ec" &$re#"rai$ed 0rai#e !r a .lri&# la#"

#"a$d' Wi.la! deli%er# a +&ch +re #+ber a$d +edi"a"i%e c$cl&#i$1

Wi.la!6# a$8ie"y " e80&$.e Bew&l!6# re#0$#ibili"y i# dd: ?Ne +eah"$ we

.elra$ le!$e ede$' rice# hyrde rd $i.$e' " he $e .re""e .ldweard

 $e@ ?We were &$able " "each &r dear 0ri$ce' de!e$der ! "he real+' a$y c&$cil' "ha"

he $" .ree" that  .ld3.&ardia$'@

 

)a3)*/b1 ,l&ral we !eel# li2e a #"ra$.e re!lec"i$

! "he we Bew&l! &#e# " i$"rd&ce hi+#el! " "he ca#".&ard1 The 0r$&$ !&$c"i$#

"he #a+e way !r Wi.la!' #"ri2i$. a c++&$al $"e a$d ac2$wled.i$. #hared

re#0$#ibili"y1 A" "hi# ++e$" Wi.la! e!!ec"i%ely e#"abli#he# "he !ail&re ! rd ' #i$ce he

i# .i$. " direc"ly deal wi"h i"# e!!ec"i%e$e##1 The 0rble+' Wi.la! ar.&e#' i# $e !

 0er#&a#i$1 Wi.la! e$dr#e# "he rd ' a$d "he #y#"e+ ! %al&e# i" #i.$i!ie#1 He +erely

cri"ici=e# i"# abili"y " be &$der#"d1 I$ hi# #er+$' Hr"h.ar "ell# Bew&l! " 2ee0

e"er$al c&$#el# 4ece rda#'4 /K)a' b&" .i%e$ Bew&l!6# c+0lica"ed !a"e a$d Wi.la!6#

&l"i+a"e deri#i$ ! rd ' e%e$ "he e!!ec"i%e# ! c&$#el i$ "hi# a""e#"a"i$ i# -&e#"i$ed1

OE rd  i$ li$e /Kb de!i$e# a ce$"ral ++e$" i$ "he 0e+ where c&$#el

 beha%e# +a"erially i$ "he 0reci#e way B9r2 de#cribe# "he 0era"i$ ! la$.&a.e1 Direc"ly

a!"er #chere6# dea"h' Hr"h.ar #ay# " Bew&l!' ?N& i# #e rd .ela$. e!" " e a$&+

ic e a !aehe !e lea$i.e@ ?Nw i# "he c&$#el le!" " y& al$e4 4I will reward

y& wi"h weal"h !r "hi# %ile$ce@ /Kb3/KaJ /*)a3b1 A!"er "he witan ha%e bee$

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a""ac2ed' a$d $e ! i"# c&$#elr# +&rdered' Hr"h.ar .i%e# Bew&l! $ei"her wi#d+

$r rd ' b&" "ell# hi+ "ha" rd i# hi# al$e " de"er+i$e1 Hr"h.ar be#"w# rd  a# a .i!"

"ha" Bew&l! ca$ de!i$e $ hi# w$ "er+#1 Nw "ha" #chere lie# dead' "he

i$e!!ec"i%e$e## ! "he witan ha# bee$ 0hy#ically #i.$i!ied1 N $e e8ce0" Bew&l! i# le!"

" bear "he rd ' a$d a# a warrir he will de!i$e i" i$ "he &$c$%e$"i$al "er+# ! %ile$"

ac"i$1

A# wi"h rd "he 0e" &#e# OE witan " rei$!rce "he i$e!!ec"i%e$e## ! "he

i$#"i"&"i$1 Thi# ir$y de# $" $e.a"e "he a&"hri"a"i%e rle ! "he witan b&" de# #i.$i!y

"he i$ade-&acy wi"h which 4"he wi#e4 carry &" "ha" rle1 I$ li$e /a' "he witan ca$$"

!i$d a 0eace!&l re#l&"i$ " "he c$!lic" wi"h Gre$del:

#ibbe $e wlde

wi +a$$a hw$e +.e$e# De$i.a'

!erhbeal !erra$' !ea i$.ia$'

$e r $$i. wi"e$a we$a$ r!"e berh"re b"e " ba$a$ !l+&+ /<b/*b

PGre$delQ did $" de#ire 0eace wi"h a$y +a$ ! "he Da$i#h 0wer' " re+%eli!e3#la&.h"er' r " #e""le i" !r a !ee' $r did a$y di0l+a" ha%e rea#$ " e80ec" a

 bri.h" re+edy a" "he ha$d# ! "he +&rderer1

 Nei"her !ierce ba""le3crie# $r warrir +ar"yrd+# .ree" Gre$del6# %ile$" ra+0a.e#1

I$#"ead' "he witan a""e+0"# a 0eace!&l #l&"i$ "ha" &l"i+a"ely !ail#1 The $arra"r ha#

already re!erred " Gre$del a# a #ri%%a #st 4a !ierce de+$'4 /)(a' 2i$#+a$ ! Cai$

4Cai$e# cy$$e'4 /)a' $e wh #"r%e a.ai$#" Gd 4wi Gde w&$$$'4 //b' a$d

reoc ond re1e 4#a%a.e a$d cr&el'4 /((a1 T #ay "ha" Gre$del did $" de#ire 0eace

&$der#"a"e# "he Da$i#h 0redica+e$"1 The#e li$e# al# di#cl#e "he .e$eral cc&0a"i$ !

"he witan. They are' a.ai$' a##cia"ed wi"h "he idea ! $$3%ile$" re#l&"i$ a$d'

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#0eci!ically' a re#l&"i$ +edia"ed by a bribe' i+0lici" i$ "he 0hra#e fea 1in#ian1 T

re+%e Gre$del6# ?li!e3#la&.h"er'@ "he ad%i#r# are dedica"ed " ec$+ic c$cilia"i$1

I! "he#e c&$cilr# 2$ew Gre$del6# li$ea.e' "hey +i.h" $" ha%e c$#idered a

 0ay!!' wi"h a""e$da$" $"i$# ! ci%ili"y' 0led.e#' a$d !&"&re a+i"y1 They are 0a.a$#'

ad+i""edly' b&" "ha" "he witan e%e$ c$#ider# bar"eri$. wi"h Gre$del #hw# "ha" "heir

c++&$al rle de# $" c$cer$ "he warrir6# heric ac"i$ b&" "he di0l+a"6# +dera"i$.

c$cilia"i$1 The e%ide$ce c$cer$i$. "he hi#"rical witan crrbra"e# "hi# !c&#1

Beca&#e ! "he Da$i#h !ail&re wi"h Gre$del' Hr"h.ar .i%e# a bl&$" a##e##+e$" !

"he witan6# e!!r"#1 Whe$ "he 2i$. c++e$d# Bew&l! !r de!ea"i$. Gre$del' he

ac2$wled.e# "he b%i&#:

h&#a #ele#" herdreri. #"d'

wea wid#c!e$ wi"e$a .ehwylc&+'

ara e $e we$d$ " hie wide!erh

leda la$d.ewerc la&+ bewered$#c&cc&+ $d #ci$$&+1 N& #cealc ha!a

 &rh drih"$e# +ih" dd .e!re+ede

e we ealle r $e +eah"$#$y""r&+ be#yrwa$1 a3<(a

"he .rea"e#" h&#e #"d ba""le3#"ai$ed' we wide#0read !r each ! "hedi0l+a"#' wh did $" e80ec" "ha" "hey +i.h" 0r"ec" "he 0e0le6# ba#"i$ !r+

!e#' de+$#' a$d .h&l#1 Nw "hr&.h "he +i.h" ! .d' a warrir ha# 0er!r+ed

a deed "ha" we all had bee$ &$able " de%i#e i$ &r wi#d+1

Here' "he witan ear$# Hr"h.ar6# cri"ici#+ beca&#e i" wa# clearly "heir re#0$#ibili"y "

re#l%e "he Gre$del 0rble+1 Whe$ "he witan wi"$e## "he !i.h" be"wee$ Bew&l! a$d

Gre$del' "hey ca$$" belie%e "ha" a$y +a$ c&ld #ha""er hi+ ?"breca$ +eah"e'@ *)b1

Their i$abili"y " c+0rehe$d Bew&l!6# #"re$."h rei$!rce# "heir w$ 0a##i%i"y1 Beca&#e

"hey d $" e$%i#i$ c$!r$"a"i$ a# a$ 0"i$' "he "h&.h" ! i" #ee+# &$belie%able1

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Hr"h.ar' i$ li$e Kb' rei"era"e# "he witan6# di#belie! "ha" a$y +a$' &#i$. %ile$" !rce'

c&ld de!ea" Gre$del1 The la#" +e$"i$ ! "he witan c+e# i$ "he Fi$$ di.re##i$ where

"he di0l+a"# e#"abli#h a$d #a$c"i!y "he 0eace "rea"y by "heir do% /)*b' r   9&d.e+e$"1

While "he witan c$#i#"e$"ly lbby !r 0eace' "heir deci#i$# are re0re#e$"ed a#

i$e!!ec"i%e1 I$ "he wrld ! Bew&l!' $"hi$. 4"he wi#e4 i$"e$d r e80ec" c+e# " 0a##1

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,ar" I;: C$cl&#i$: The Ter+i$l.y ! Wi#d+ i$ Beowulf 

While "he witan !r+ally re0re#e$"# "he c&l"&re ! wi#d+' "he #0here ! wi#d+

e8"e$d# bey$d "hi# i$#"i"&"i$1 The 0e" #"ra"e.ically e+0ly# a le8ic$ ! 4wi#d+

wrd#4 " el&cida"e "he %al&e# ! wi#d+1 ,ar" ! "hi# e$&+era"i$ i$%l%e# "he

charac"er#6 rela"i$#hi0 " each "her' hw "hey addre## $e a$"her a$d hw "he 0e"

de#cribe# 0ar"ic&lar e%e$"#1 E+bdyi$. "he %al&e# ! "he witan' "he#e wi#d+ wrd#

rei$!rce a$d hel0 de!i$e "he b&$dary be"wee$ "he c&l"&re ! "he warrir a$d "he c&l"&re

! "he wi#e1

O! "he wrd# "ha" rela"e " wi#d+' snotor wis a$d frod are "he +#" hea%ily

a""e#"ed by !ar1 Wi"h #&ch a$ ab&$da$ce "hir"y3!&r a""e#"a"i$#' $e +i.h" e80ec" a

%arie"y ! &#a.e i$ a ra$.e ! c$"e8"#' e#0ecially !r+ "he eclec"ic' #+e"i+e# e8"ic'

 Beowulf 0e"1 A rare c$#i#"e$cy a$d #e+a$"ic &$i!r+i"y !r "he#e "hree wi#d+ "er+#

hel0# de!i$e "he #0here ! wi#d+1

Si8 ! "wel%e a""e#"a"i$# ! snotor  re!er " Hr"h.ar' a c$ce$"ra"i$ #&00r"i$.

"he idea ! 2i$.ly wi#d+1 The c$"e8"# ! Hr"h.ar6# i+0lici" snyttru rei$!rce "he

re0re#e$"a"i$# ! "he witan a$d "heir rd 1 Fir#"' 9&#" a# e%ery cc&rre$ce ! "he witan()

i$ Beowulf  rei$!rce# "he di0l+a"#6 i$e!!ec"i%e$e##' "w a00lica"i$# !  snotor  "

() Whe$ &#ed a# a $&$' re!erri$. " "he di0l+a"# r c&$cil1

(<

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Hr"h.ar a00ear " -&e#"i$ "he %al&e# ! wi#d+1 I$ "he !ir#" cc&rre$ce' Hr"h.ar ?$e

+ih"e #$"r hle wea$ $we$da$J w# " .ewi$ " #wy@ ?"he wi#e her wa#

&$able " "&r$ a#ide weJ "ha" #"ri!e wa# " har#h'@ /)b3//b1 Al"h&.h a .e$&i$e

c+0li+e$"' snotor  li2ewi#e hi$"# a" "he i+0lici" ir$y i$ "he 9&8"a0#i"i$ ! a 4wi#e4

2i$. wh ca$$" %erc+e "he wea 0la.&i$. hi# "ribe1 Thi# li$e will be +irrred la"er

whe$ Hr"h.ar e80lici"ly c+0are# "he e!!ec"i%e$e## ! Bew&l! wi"h "he i$abili"y ! "he

witan:

h&#a #ele#" herdreri. #"d'

wea wid#c!e$ wi"e$a .ehwylc&+'

ara e $e we$d$ " hie wide!erhleda la$d.ewerc la&+ bewered$

#c&cc&+ $d #ci$$&+1 N& #cealc ha!a

 &rh drih"$e# +ih" dd .e!re+edee we ealle r $e +eah"$

#$y""r&+ be#yrwa$1 a3<(a

"he .rea"e#" h&#e #"d ba""le3#"ai$ed' we wide#0read !r each ! "he

di0l+a"#' wh did $" e80ec" "ha" "hey +i.h" 0r"ec" "he 0e0le6# ba#"i$ !r+

!e#' de+$#' a$d .h&l#1 Nw "hr&.h "he +i.h" ! .d' a warrir ha# 0er!r+eda deed "ha" we all had bee$ &$able " de%i#e i$ &r wi#d+1

I$ b"h #ce$e#' we a$d .rie! c$!r$" "he wi#e a$d "heir wi#d+1 F&r"her+re' "he wrd

!r 4wi#d+4 i$ li$e < i# snyttru% deri%a"i%e ! snotor  a$d +ai$"ai$# "he c$!lic"ed'

 b&" $" ab#l&"ely $e.a"i%e' di#0#i"i$ "ha" "he a&die$ce ha# "ward "he le8ic$ !

wi#d+ wrd#1

Si+ilarly' whe$ Bew&l! re#0$d# " Hr"h.ar6# la+e$"a"i$ ! ?re$ewed #rrw@

%er #chere6# dea"h' he li$.&i#"ically 0air# wi#d+ wi"h re+r#e: ?Ne #r.a' #$"r

.&+a@ ?Srrw $"' wi#e +a$'@ /*a1 A.ai$' "hi# 0airi$. de# $" $ece##arily

di#0ara.e wi#d+' b&" a$ e+0ha"ic snotor carrie# #+e +ild c$de#ce$#i$' be"rayi$.

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Bew&l!6# !eeli$.# ab&" "he e!!ec"i%e$e## ! wi#d+ whe$ c$!r$"i$. e%il1 Bew&l!

i+0lie#' ?Fear $"' wise %an' a warrir ha# c+e " #a%e y& beca&#e y&r wi#d+ ha#

!ailed1@ Ne%er"hele##' "he 0e" e80ec"# hi# a&die$ce " a""e$d "he #&r!ace +ea$i$. a$d

 bala$ce# i"# e80ec"a"i$# ! Bew&l!6# +ea$i$. a.ai$#" hi# rela"i$#hi0 " "he c&l"&re !

wi#d+1

The &#e ! #e+a$"ic 0aralleli#+' wi"h witan a$d rd ' snotor a$d we#rrw' wis

a$d wean a$d wea a$d snyttru% de+$#"ra"e# a c$#ci&# #"ra"e.y by "he 0e" "

+ai$"ai$ a $&a$ced' i! $" 00#i"i$al' 0erce0"i$ ! "he c&l"&re ! wi#d+1 O$e +&#"

e80ec" ir$y where wi#d+ wrd# are &#ed i$ c$"e8"# "ha" a00ear +erely de#cri0"i%e1

F&r"her+re' "he i+0r"a$ce ! wi#d+ wrd# i$ rela"i$ " #chere i# #i.$i!ica$"

 beca&#e' a# I will ar.&e belw' he i# a leadi$. +e+ber' i! $" "he leader' ! "he witan1

A!"er "he i$i"ial .i!"3.i%i$. cere+$y' Bew&l! re!er# " Hr"h.ar a# ?wi#e@ i$ a

way "ha"' a" !ir#"' #ee+# +re .e$&i$e' ?#$""ra !e$.el' $& ic e+ #ie# !&#' .ldwi$e

.&+e$a@ ?wi#e 2i$.' $w I a+ ea.er " e+bar2' .ld3!rie$d ! +e$'@ /<a3/<Ka1

Bew&l! re!er# " Hr"h.ar a# a #oldwine #u%ena a$d will' i$ "he #a+e #0eech' 0rai#e "he

2i$. !r hi# .i!"3.i%i$. a# a ea#a ryttan ?a .i%er ! ri$.#'@ /<*a1 I$i"ially h#"ile "

#+e !r+# ! wi#d+ #&ch a# di0l+acy r rec$cilia"i$' Bew&l! clearly e+brace#

"he 0ar" where he i# rewarded1 Hr"h.ar rec.$i=e# "hi# a$"ici0a"i$ a$d &#e# "he #er+$

" e80lai$ " Bew&l! "ha" "he .i!"3.i%i$. cere+$y #er%e# a hi.her !&$c"i$ "ha$ +erely

rewardi$. heric ac"#1 Whe"her r $" Bew&l! lear$# "he a00r0ria"e le##$ re+ai$#

&$clear1 A# "he #er+$ $ear# i"# e$d' "he $arra"r #ay#' ?Gea" w# .ld+d .e$. #$a

"' #e"le# $e#a$' #wa #e #$""ra heh"@ ?The Gea" wa# .raci&# i$ #0iri"' a$d

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i++edia"ely we$" " #ee2 "he be$ch' 9&#" a# "he wi#e +a$ had c++a$ded@ /*a3

/*Kb1 The $arra"r6# e$dr#e+e$" i# cer"ai$ly +re .e$&i$e "ha$ Bew&l!6#1 B&" "hi#

c&ld be "he ++e$" where Bew&l! cha$.e#' de0e$di$. $ hw $e i$"er0re"#  #ld%od

4a00recia"i%e14 He i#' a!"er all' !llwi$. "he #0eech wi"h a c++&$al !ea#"' !r+ally

re!erred " a# a wist ' "he wrd i"#el! bei$. a 0&$ $ wis' ?wi#e'@ +a2i$. "he !ea#" a "y0e !

c++&$i$ !r "he c$#&+0"i$ ! 2$wled.e1 B&" i! "hi# .raci&#$e## i# $"hi$. +re

"ha$ a ++e$"ary reac"i$' r a #cial 0er!r+a$ce' "he$ "he e!!ec" ! "he #er+$ re+ai$#

i$de"er+i$a"e1

Fi$ally' Bew&l! re!er# " Hr"h.ar a# snotor whe$ rela"i$. "he #"ry ! hi# Da$i#h

e80li"# " Hy.elac1 Bew&l! delibera"ely 0rai#e# 4wi#e4 Hr"h.ar !r "he .i!"# "ha" "he

2i$. be#"wed $ hi+ 4#$"ra !e$.el'4 (/Ka1 The warrir c$#i#"e$"ly %al&e# "he 2i$.

wh .i%e# hi+ "rea#&re' !r "he .i!"3.i%i$. cere+$y re+ai$# i+0r"a$" " "he c&l"&re !

wi#d+1 Gi!"# ! e8ceedi$.ly hi.h %al&e are .i%e$' a# a 0ar" ! a cere+$y' i$ rder "

!acili"a"e $e."ia"i$' 0rai#e' #cial a""ach+e$" a$d c++&$al a&"hri"y' all %al&e# !

wi#d+1 Gi!"3.i%i$. i# wr"hle## i! &$c&0led !r+ #"ra"e.ic rhe"ric "ha" !rce# "he

warrir " e+brace a lar.er #e" ! %al&e#1 Beca&#e Bew&l!ia$ wi#d+ are ei"her 0ar"ially

ir$ic r rela"e " "he +a"erial e8cha$.e ! .i!"3.i%i$.' "he a&die$ce +&#" c$#ider "ha"

Bew&l! +ay be ac"i$. &" ! #el!3i$"ere#" i$ hi# a00recia"i$ !r 4wi#e4 Hr"h.ar6# .i!"#1

I! #' "he a&die$ce +ay c$de+$ hi+ !r !aili$. " e+brace "he %al&e# ! wi#d+1 Or' i!

Bew&l!6# 0rai#e ! .i!"3.i%i$. c$cede# "he rele%a$ce ! wi#d+' a$d "ha" he wa# "r&ly

+ade ?.raci&# i$ #0iri"'@ "he$ a de"er+i$a"i$ ! Bew&l!6# a""i"&de re+ai$# a+bi%ale$"1

O! "he #i8 a""e#"a"i$# "ha" d $" re!er direc"ly " Hr"h.ar' snotor i# &#ed !&r

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"i+e# " de#cribe a c&$cil r .r&0 ! di0l+a"# delibera"i$. $ i+0r"a$" +a""er#1

Clearly' snotor a##cia"e# wi#d+ a$d "he c++&$al i$#"i"&"i$# ! a&"hri"y' e%e$

"h&.h "he#e i$#"i"&"i$# +i.h" $" "ech$ically -&ali!y a# "he witan1 Bew&l!6# i$i"ial

de0ar"&re !r+ Gea"la$d' !r e8a+0le' i# +edia"ed by $e ! "he#e c&$cil#:

$e #i!" hi+ #$"ere cerla#

ly"hw$ l.$' eah he hi+ le! wreJhwe""$ hi.er!$e' hl #ceawed$1

Wi#e +e$ li""le bla+ed hi+ !r "he 9&r$eyJ "h&.h he wa# dear " "he+' "hey

&r.ed !r"h "he %alia$"3+i$ded +a$1 They b#er%ed a$ +e$1@ ()(/3()<b1

Whe"her r $" "hi# .r&0 .i%e# Bew&l! a$ !!icial cleara$ce' r whe"her Bew&l! e%e$

re-&ire# 0er+i##i$' i# di!!ic&l" " #ay1 Al"h&.h "he di0l+a"# +ay #i+0ly wi#h Bew&l!

a #a!e 9&r$ey' e%ide$ce !r a +re c$!lic"ed readi$. ca$ be ded&ced1 Fir#"' "he

b#er%a$ce ! "he +e$ i+0lie# a !r+al cere+$y' +a2i$. "he i$%l%e+e$" ! "he

 snotere ceorlas #i.$i!ica$"1 Addi"i$ally' OE hl i# li$.&i#"ically rela"ed " hal  ?whle@

a$d hali#  ?hly1@ A #le+$ e%e$" i# de#cribed1 Sec$d' snotor  i# cllca"ed wi"h "er+#

!r we1 O$ly "wel%e li$e# earlier OE snotor de#cribed Hr"h.ar: ?"he wi#e P snotor Q her

c&ld $" e$d "he we@ /)b3//a1 I ha%e rea#$ed "ha" "hi# a""e#"a"i$ de+a$d# a

 9&8"a0#i"i$ ! wi#d+ a$d we "ha" 0er#i#"# "hr&.h&" "he 0e+' a$d "he re0e"i"i$ !

 snottor  wi"hi$ "wel%e li$e# bel$.# " "ha" a##cia"i$1 Th&.h i$direc"' "he c+0ari#$

wi"h we $ li$e //a ha$.# %er "he snotere ceorlas i$ li$e ()(b' +a2i$. "heir

i$%l%e+e$" i$ Bew&l!6# de0ar"&re +&ch +re c+0lica"ed1

E$ha$ci$. "hi# c+0lica"i$' "he "er+  snotor ceorl  i# &#ed " de#cribe "he

di#0ara.ed c&$cil i$ "he Here+d di.re##i$' ?#$"r cerl +$i.' #e e hi+ bealwa

" b"e .ely!de4 4hi$e !yre$ $wd@ ?+a$y a wi#e +a$' "r&#"ed i$ hi+ !r relie!

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!r+ a!!lic"i$4 4wic2ed$e## 0##e##ed hi+'@ )*b3)bJ /b1 The +i#0laced "r&#"

! "he#e di0l+a"# hi.hli.h"# "heir i$#&!!icie$cy' a$d  snotor i# a.ai$ li$.&i#"ically

 9&8"a0#ed wi"h i$e!!ec"i%e$e## a$d a #"a"e ! a!!lic"i$1 B&" a$"her layer ! ir$y

a00ear# i$ "he 0a##a.e a# well1 The &#e ! snotor ceorl " re!er e8cl&#i%ely " "w

c&$cil# i$ #i+ilar #i"&a"i$# de+a$d# a c+0ari#$1 Were "he Gea"# wi#e " allw a

y&$. warrir' wi"h dy$a#"ic re#0$#ibili"ie#' " "a2e a .r&0 ! y&$. +e$ acr## "he #ea

" !i.h" a +$#"er W&ld "he c&$cil ! "he Gea"# bee$ held re#0$#ible i! Bew&l!

died Hw did "he Gea"#6 deci#i$ " "r&#" Bew&l! di!!er !r+ "he "r&#" ! Here+d6#

di0l+a"# The !ac" "ha" Bew&l! #&cce##!&lly de!ea"# Gre$del a$d hi# +"her c&ld be

e%ide$ce "ha" "he Gea"i#h c&$cil wa# ri.h" i$ i"# deci#i$1 The#e 0er#0ec"i%e# are

#+ewha" c$!lic"i$.' b&" "ha" i# beca&#e "hey e8i#" i$ a dialec"ic !r "he a&die$ce "

+edi"a"e $1

Whe$ OE #notor  re!er# " Hr"h.ar6# di0l+a"#' "heir 0a##i%e i$e!!ec"i%e$e## i#

a$"her e8a+0le ! ir$ic 0aralleli#+ wi"h a wi#d+ "er+1 The di0l+a"# #"a$d a" "he

+ere' #"ari$. a" "he #&r!ace ! "he la2e a$d wai" !r Bew&l! " re#l%e "heir 0rble+:

?S$a " .e#aw$ #$""re cerla# a e +id Hr.are $ hl+ wli"$ " w#

y.ebl$d eal .e+e$.ed bri+ blde !ah'@ ?S&dde$ly' "he wi#e earl# #aw' "here wi"h

Hr"h.ar' $ "he #&r!ace ! "he la2e' "ha" "he wa%e# all di#"&rbed' "he wa"er #"ai$ed wi"h

 bld@ /)a3/a1 A.ai$' a hi$" ! di#0ara.e+e$" e+er.e# !r+ "hi# snottre1 A#

"he#e ?wi#e@ +e$ #"a$d "here' "hey c$"e+0la"e "heir w$ hel0le##$e##1

The la#" "w a""e#"a"i$# ! snotor I wa$" " e8a+i$e are "he +#" 0ec&liar1 The

!ir#" re!er# " Bew&l! a!"er de!ea"i$. Gre$del' ?h!de a .e!l#d #e e r !erra$

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c+ #$"r $d #wy!erh #ele Hr.are#'@ ?he had clea$#ed' he wh had c+e !r+

a!ar' wi#e a$d #"r$.3#0iri"ed' "he hall ! Hr"h.ar@ *(a3*(Kb1 U$li2e "he "her

a""e#"a"i$# ! snotor ' "hi# $e a00ear# " lac2 ir$y1 B&" "he !ac" "ha" #rrw i# #$

re$ewed "hr&.h Gre$del6# +"her a" lea#" i+0lie# "ha" "hi# i$#&!!icie$" snotor 0r"e$d#

!&"&re c$!lic"1

The 0airi$. ! snotor  a$d swy,ferh, i# #i.$i!ica$" $ i"# w$ "er+#1 A# I ar.&ed

ab%e' whe$ snotor i# &#ed a# "he #le de#cri0"i$' i" ir$ically ill&#"ra"e# "he i$abili"y !

wi#d+ %al&e# " re#l%e c$!lic"1 The 0e" a""ache# ?#"r$.3#0iri"ed@ i$ rder "

di#c&$" "he ir$y i$ "hi# i$#"a$ce1 Fr "he 0e"' de#cribi$. Bew&l! wi"h 9&#" snotor

w&ld ha%e c$!&#ed "he delibera"e #"ra"e.y " +a2e "he %al&e# ! wi#d+ a$d "he %al&e#

! "he warrir di#"i$c"1 By 0ari$. snotor wi"h swy,ferh,' "he 0e" -&ali!ie# wi#d+ wi"h

a "er+ ! #"re$."h i$ rder " de+$#"ra"e "ha" wi#d+ al$e +ay ha%e bee$ i$#&!!icie$"

" de!ea" Gre$del a$d re-&ire# a$"her #e" ! %al&e# " be #&cce##!&l1

The la#" a""e#"a"i$ ! snotor i$ "he 0e+ de#cribe# Wi.la!' wh ha# 9&#"

#&++$ed a .r&0 ! +e$ " carry "he "rea#&re !r+ "he dra.$6# lair a$d " "a2e

Bew&l! " hi# "+b' ?#e #$"ra #&$& Wih#"a$e#'@ ?"he wi#e #$ ! Wih#"a$@ /()1

While "he ir$y i# $" a# direc" a# i" ha# bee$ i$ "he 0re%i&# a""e#"a"i$#' "he wrd ha#

already bee$ e#"abli#hed wi"h a+bi%ale$" c$$"a"i$#1

Wi.la! i# "he b%i&# #&cce##r " Bew&l! a$d he i# de#cribed a# 6wi#e6 " #i.$i!y

hi# "ra$#i"i$ !r+ a warrir i$" a 2i$.1 The 0e"6# &#e ! snotor delibera"ely a##cia"e#

Wi.la! wi"h "he %al&e# he will $eed " e+brace !r "hi# $ew rle1 The ir$y a##cia"ed

wi"h snotor ca$$" be di#c&$"edJ will Wi.la! bec+e a wi#e 2i$. wh #&cce##!&lly lead#

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hi# 0e0le Or de# "hi# wi#d+ i+0ly a$ i$e!!ec"&al$e## a$d i+0e$di$. d+ a# "he

Gea"# wai" !r "he Swede# " a""ac2

The wrd wis ha# ei.h" a""e#"a"i$#' "hree re!erri$. " Hr"h.ar' $e " Hy.d' a$d

"w " Bew&l! whe$ he i# a 2i$.1 The a##cia"i$ ! 2i$.# wi"h wi#d+ i# delibera"e

a$d "ra$#0are$"1 O! "he "her "w a""e#"a"i$#' $e re!er# " Hr"h.ar6# witan a$d "he

"her re!er# " Bew&l!' wh i# called ?wi#e@ by Hr"h.ar $ear "he e$d ! "he #er+$1

OE wis i# &#ed a" lea#" !&r "i+e# wi"h #+e hi$" ! ir$y1 Fir#"' Hr"h.ar i# called wi#e

a# he wai"# !r Bew&l! " c+e " "he hall a!"er Gre$del6# +"her ha# +&rdered

 #chere:

.a$. a !"er !lre !yrdwyre +a$

+id hi# ha$d#cale 33healw&d& dy$ede33 " he $e wi#a$ wrd&+ h$.de

!rea$ I$.wi$a !r.$ .i! hi+ wre

!"er $edla& $ih" .e"ae#e' /K)3/()

"he$ %er "he !lr' "he ba""le3#"r$. +a$' wi"h hi# ha$d3"r0' "he wd3hall ra$.

&"' "ha" he "he wi#e $e .ree"ed wi"h wrd#' "he lrd ! "he I$.wi$#' !rie$d# !

l$.' a#2ed i! i" had bee$ !r hi+' a!"er hi# h0e#' a 0lea#i$. $i.h"

The #i"&a"i$ 0i$"# " "he hel0le##$e## ! "he 6wi#e6 2i$. wh ca$ d $"hi$. +re b&"

wai" !r Bew&l! " .e" &" ! bed1 I! "ha" were $" e$&.h' Bew&l! "&.# a" "he w&$d

 by "hrwi$. Hr"h.ar a ra"her ab#&rd -&e#"i$ ab&" hw he #le0"1

I$ "he wa2e ! #chere6# +&rder' Hr"h.ar a$d hi# di0l+a"# #earch !r "heir

!alle$ c&$#elr a$d are c$!r$"ed wi"h #"ar"li$. i+a.e#:

he !eara #&+ be!ra$ .e$.de

wi#ra +$$a w$. #ceawia$ w"er &$der #"d

dreri. $d .edre!ed

$cy erla .ehwaa+#ya$ #chere#$ a+ hl+cli!e ha!ela$ +e""$ /</(3/<(/

  /

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he we$" ahead wi"h !ew' wi#e +e$' e8a+i$i$. "he 0lai$ wa"er &$der.r&$d'

 bldy a$d #"irred &0 .rie! ar#e i$ each ! "he earl#' #i$ce #chere' $ "he

cli!!#' "hey +e" hi# head

The #i"&a"i$ de+a$d# a cri"ical a##e##+e$" ! "he#e wi#e +e$ wh d $" ha%e "he

abili"y " ac"1 They are 0a##i%e b#er%er#1 The 0e"6# deci#i$ " ha%e "he witan !i$d

 #chere $" Bew&l! i# delibera"e1 #chere wa# a +e+ber ! "hi# c&$cil a$d "he

re+ai$i$. di0l+a"# +&#" c$#ider "ha" #chere6# !a"e c&ld ha%e ea#ily bee$ "heir w$1

 #chere6# dea"h re$der# "he %al&e# ! wi#d+ 0a##i%e' %al&e# "ha" are $" e-&i00ed "

re#0$d " #&ch %erwhel+i$. %ile$ce1

The la#" "w a""e#"a"i$# ! wis de#cribe Bew&l!' "he 2i$.1 S0ea2i$. !

Bew&l!6# reac"i$ " "he dra.$' ?hrew $ hrere hy.e#r.a +#" we$de #e wi#a

 " he wealde$de !er ealde rih" ecea$ dryh"$e bi"re .eb&l.e'@ ?.rie%i$. i$ hi# #&l'

"he .rea"e#" +i$d3#rrw#' "he wi#e +a$ "h&.h" "ha" "he r&ler' had bi""erly !!e$ded "he

a$cie$" law' "he e"er$al lrd' had bi""erly a$.ered@ ((*a3(/a1 The 0e" &#e#

 0aralleli#+ " 9&8"a0#e "he re$ewed #rrw# ! "he 2i$.' hreow a$d hy#esor#a' wi"h "hi#

$"i$ ! hi# wi#d+1

Wi.la! &""er# "he !i$al a""e#"a"i$ ! wis whe$ de#cribi$. Bew&l!6# la#" #0eech'

?cwic w# a .e$a wi# $d .ewi""i./ wr$ eall .e#0rc .+l $ .eh'@ ?he wa#

"he$ ali%e' wi#e a$d 2$wi$.' #0ea2i$. $ a .rea" +a$y "hi$.#' ld i$ .rie!@ )b3

)a1 OE wis i# 0aralleled wi"h .rie!'  #eh,o' a$d "he ir$y "ha" ha$.# %er wi#d+

wrd# i# delibera"ely +ai$"ai$ed !r+ "he be.i$$i$. ! "he 0e+ "hr&.h Bew&l!6# !i$al

++e$"#1 Thi# 9&8"a0#i"i$ de# $" re-&ire Wi.la! " be di#0ara.i$.1 The 0e" ha#' by

"hi# 0i$"' e#"abli#hed "he ir$ic c$$"a"i$# ! wi#d+ wrd# which' i$ "hi# i$#"a$"' are

(

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a00are$" " "he a&die$ce e%e$ "h&.h "hey are $" i$"e$ded by "he #0ea2er1

O! "he "hree +ai$ wi#d+ wrd#' frod  a" !ir#" #ee+# " carry "he +#" 0#i"i%e

c$$"a"i$#1 I" 0i$"# " a.e a# a 9&#"i!ica"i$' r e%e$ a$ e"h#' !r be#"wi$. wi#d+1

The wrd 6%e$erable6 i# "he be#" de!i$i"i$ !r frod  beca&#e i" c$9i$# "he idea !

2$wled.e wi"h e80erie$ce1  Frod ha# !&r"ee$ a""e#"a"i$#1 Ele%e$ are 0aired wi"h a

-&ali!ier !r ld a.e1 O! "he "hree "ha" are $"' "he ab#e$ce ! #&ch a -&ali!ica"i$ +a2e#

"he c$$"a"i$ l&der "ha$ w&ld i"# 0re#e$ce1

I$ a direc" 0airi$.' Hr"h.ar c$cl&de# "he Here+d di.re##i$' ?ic i# .id be e

awrc wi$"r&+ !rd'@ ?I "hi# #"ry " y&' "ld' %e$erable i$ wi$"er#@ /(b3/(<a1

The #0ea2er e#"abli#he# "he e"h# ! "hi# #"ry wi"h hi# a.e1 I$ a #i+ilar c$"e8"' "he 0e"

de#cribe# Hr"h.ar la+e$"i$. "he dea"h ! #chere' ?a w# !rd cy$i$. har hilderi$c

$ hre$+de'@ ?"ha" wa# a %e$erable 2i$.' "he hary ba""le warrir' i$ %e8ed #0iri"@

/)Kb3/)b1 I$ all ele%e$ a""e#"a"i$#' a$d well3de+$#"ra"ed i$ "he 0re%i&# li$e#' "he

 0aralleli#+ ! ld a.e a$d wi#d+ !eel# #i+ilar " "he 0aralleli#+ ! wi#d+ a$d .rie!1

I$ $e re+ar2able e8a+0le' b"h !r+# ! 0aralleli#+ are ac"&ally 0re#e$"1 I #ay "ha" "hi#

e8a+0le i# re+ar2able beca&#e i" i# "he 0reci#e ++e$" "ha" Bew&l! a.e#' ?#ya$

Bew&l!e braede rice $ ha$d .ehwear! / he .eheld "ela !i!"i. wi$"ra 33w# a !rd

cy$i$. eald eelweard'@ ?a!"erward# " Bew&l!' "he brad 2i$.d+ wa# 0a##ed " hi#

ha$d#' he r&led well' !i!"y wi$"er#' "ha" wa# a %e$erable 2i$.' ld .&ardia$ ! "he la$d@

(()a3((/)a1 E%e$ i! "e$ "her a""e#"a"i$# did $" rei$!rce "hi# a##cia"i$ ! elderly

wi#d+' $e w&ld ha%e " c$#ider "he 0##ibili"y ! #&ch a c$$ec"i$ .i%e$ "he 0e"6#

delibera"e &#e ! frod a" "he 0e+6# #"r&c"&ral "ra$#i"i$ be"wee$ Bew&l!6# y&"h a$d

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+a"&ri"y1 Gi%e$ "he a""e#"a"i$#' "he 0e" +&#" be e#"abli#hi$. a "he+e1 O$e ha# "

a##&+e "ha" whe$ "he a##cia"i$ i# $" e80lici"' i" i# #"ill 0rbable "ha" "he c$$"a"i$

e8i#"#1

Ab%e' I +ade "he ar.&+e$" "ha" Bew&l! i# i$"e$"i$ally dece0"i%e i$ hi# #0eech

" "he ca#".&ard1 He i# 0#i$. a# a $e."ia"r a$d &$der#elli$. hi# i$"e$"i$#1 The &#e

! frod i# 0ar" ! "hi# #"ra"e.y' ?Ic # Hr.ar +. &rh r&+$e #e!a$ rd .elra$ h&

he !rd $d .d' !e$d !er#wye .y! hi+ edwe$da$ ae!re #clde beal&wa bi#i.&

 b" e!" c&+a$'@ ?I a+ able " Hr"h.ar' !r+ a #0aci&# #0iri"' .i%e c&$#el' hw he

%e$erable a$d .d ca$ %erc+e "he !ie$d' i! !r hi+' he #h&ld wa$" " "&r$ !r+ "he

 bale!&l a!!lic"i$' a re+edy " c+e@ (b3(*/b1 Th&.h $" e80lici"' Bew&l! &#e#

 frod  i$ "he .&i#e ! a c+0li+e$" " cly hi$" a" Hr"h.ar6# ad%a$ced a.e1 The 0e" &#e#

 frod " di%ide "he #0here ! wi#d+ ld3a.e wi"h "he #0here ! "he warrir y&"h1

Bew&l! ir$i=e# "he 0e"6# di%i#i$1 He #ay# he will !!er c&$#el' a de!ere$"ial 0#i"i$'

while re+i$di$. "he ca#".&ard ! hi# elderly(/ 2i$.1 The #&r!ace +ea$i$. .i%e# "he

ca#".&ard "he #e+a$"ic 9&#"i!ica"i$ " allw "hi# war3ba$d " a00rach hi# 2i$.1 A" "he

#a+e "i+e' "he #&b"e8" w&ld ha%e re#0$ded " wha" +&#" ha%e bee$ a$ &r.e$" a$8ie"y

!r "he ca#".&ard1((  A$ al"er$a"i%e 0##ibili"y i# "ha" "he #&b"e8" ! Bew&l!6# #0eech i#

&$rec.$i=ed by "he ca#".&ard a$d i# re#er%ed !r "he $arra"r' "he a&die$ce a$d "he

#0ea2er1  De"er+i$i$. hw +&ch "he ca#".&ard &$der#"a$d# i# di!!ic&l"' 0erha0#

i+0##ible1

O$ li$e /*<<' frod i# $" direc"ly 0aired wi"h a -&ali!ica"i$ ! ld a.e' b&" i" #"ill

(/ Here' frod ' li2e "her wi#d+ wrd#' carrie# "he c$$"a"i$ ! wea2' !eeble' hel0le##' i$e!!ec"&al' e"c1

(( The a$8ie"y i# %er hw hi# 2i$. will deal wi"h Gre$del1

<

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re"ai$# "he a##cia"i$:

$e hyrde ic #$"rlicr 

$ #wa .e$.&+ !ere .&+a$ i$.ia$ & ear" +.e$e# #"ra$. $d $ +de !rd

wi# wrdcwida we$ ic "ali.e.i! " .e.a$.e  " e Sae3Gea"a# #elra$ $bbe$

" .ece#e$$e cy$i$. $i.$e /*<(b3/*/

I ha%e $" heard +re wi#ely' "ha" a y&$. +a$ #h&ld +a2e a #0eech' y& are

#"r$. i$ abili"y' a$d %e$erable i$ #0iri"' a wi#e #0ea2er ! wrd#' I "hi$2 i" li2ely'

i! i" ha00e$# "ha" "he Sea3Gea"# c&ld $" d be""er " ch#e a$y "her 2i$.1

Clearly' Bew&l! i# re!erred " a# y&$.1 I$ "he i$!ere$ce &$der "he #&r!ace

de#cri0"i$' Hr"h.ar &#e# frod  " #&..e#" "ha" Bew&l! ha# ad0"ed' r $eed# " ad0"'

"he %al&e# ! +a"&ri"y1 He re!er# " Bew&l!6# y&"h " i+0ly "ha" i" i# %er1 M+e$"#

earlier i$ "he 0e+' Bew&l! &""er# a $&+ber ! #0eech ac"# " #&..e#" he +i.h" be ready

!r "hi# cha$.e1 He declare# he will +ai$"ai$ 0eace wi"h "he Da$e#' a$ ral c+0ac"

e8hibi"i$. "he %al&e ! di0l+acy' a$d he re0ea"edly .i%e# Hr"h.ar 0&blic a00rba"i$

i$ a way "ha" re"&r$# a&"hri"y " "he 2i$.1 (  Hr"h.ar6# 0rai#e ! Bew&l! a# frod i#

ai+ed a" "he warrir6# wrd# +re # "ha$ hi# deed#1

Bew&l!6# y&"h +a2e# hi+ ?#"r$. i$ abili"y@ while hi# ?%e$erable #0iri"@ +a2e#

hi+ a ?wi#e #0ea2er ! wrd#1@ Hwe%er' "he a&die$ce ha# barely #ee$ Bew&l! i$ a$y

#e$#e ?%e$erable1@ Hr"h.ar !rce# a 0redic"i$ wi"h "he h0e i" will be reali=ed1 The

#er+$ re0re#e$"# a di%i#i$ ! "he 0e+ be"wee$ "he %al&e# ! "he "w #0here#1 The 2i$.

 0rai#e# "he warrir !r hi# #"re$."h' a$d i$ di$. # rec.$i=e# hi# $ece##i"y1 He al#

i$#"r&c"# "he warrir " rec.$i=e hi# w$ +r"ali"y' " &$der#"a$d hi# li+i"a"i$# a$d "

e+brace "he %al&e# ! wi#d+1

( The#e "w e8a+0le# #&00r" B9r26# ar.&+e$" "ha" la$.&a.e ca$ ac" a# a 0hy#ical b9ec"1

 

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The #er+$6# $arra"i%e 0er#0ec"i%e i# i$#"r&+e$"al i$ di%idi$. "he #0here ! "he

warrir !r+ "he #0here ! wi#d+1 A##&+i$. "he di%i#i$ i# a d+i$a$" "he+e ! "he

 0e+' $e +i.h" be i$cli$ed' he#i"a$"ly' " +a2e "he #er+$ "he 0e+6# #"r&c"&ral ce$"er

a# 00#ed " "he !i!"y year# elli0#i#1 The #er+$ +ay be "he ++e$" Bew&l! ad0"#

wi#d+ a$d "he a&die$ce i# +ea$" " a##e## hw he +a$a.e# hi# e$li.h"e$+e$" !r "he

re#" ! "he 0e+1 I$ "he hall ! Hy.elac' "he #ce$e i++edia"ely 0rceedi$. "he #er+$'

Bew&l! 0rai#e# a !rei.$ 2i$. a# well' he 0ar"ici0a"e# i$ "he c++&$al ri"&al ! .i!"3

.i%i$.' a$d he li#"e$# " "he #id  ! hi# hall1 All ! "he#e "hi$.#' r a$y $e ! "he+'

#i.$i!y Bew&l!6# ad0"i$ ! a !&$da+e$"ally al"ered #e" ! %al&e#1 5e" "here i# $

.&ara$"ee !r "he #"abili"y ! wi#d+1 I! B9r2 i# crrec" ab&" "he di#i$"e.ra"i$. $a"&re

! la$.&a.e' "he$ wi#d+' which i# e8hibi"ed "hr&.h #0eech ac"# $" ac"# ! %ile$ce'

will li2ewi#e di#i$"e.ra"e &$"il "he 0e+6# e$d1

I$ Hr"h.ar6# #0eech " Bew&l! ab&" Gre$del6# +"her' he be+a$#' ?#rh i#

.e$iwd'@ ?#rrw i# re$ewed'@ /((b1 Srrw i# br&.h" ab&" by "he dea"h !

 #chere' a !i.&re ! #+e +y#"ery wh i# $ly de#cribed in %e%oria%1 #chere i#

re!erred " a# a runwita /(a' a$ ea2l#estealla /(Ka' sinc#ifa /<(a' a$d a# a

 fyrnwita (/(a1 I$"ere#"i$.ly' "w ! "he -&ali!ier# ha%e #+e deri%a"i%e ! witan i$ "he

$a+e1  0unwita +ay e%e$ i$dica"e "ha" #chere i# #+e #r" ! di0l+a" wh deal# i$

r&$e#1 A# a ea2l#estealla' he ha# a cl#e 0r8i+i"y " "he 2i$.1 The de#cri0"i$ ! OE

 sinc#ifa 0#e# +a$y -&e#"i$#' b&" #chere +&#" ha%e had i+0r"a$" i$#"i"&"i$al

a&"hri"y " "a2e $ #&ch a %e$era"ed rle a# a .i!"3.i%er1 Thi# rle i# c+0le"ely

rea#$able !r "he witan's leader1  Fyrnwitan' which li"erally +ea$# 6ld di0l+a"'6 +a2e#

K

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a direc" li$.&i#"ic c$$ec"i$ " "he witan. C$#ideri$. "he "he+a"ic rela"i$#hi0 be"wee$

a.e a$d wi#d+' OE !  yrnwitan i$dica"e# a rle ! hei.h"e$ed #i.$i!ica$ce r a&"hri"y1

Hr"h.ar re!er# " #chere a#' ?+i$ rdbra'@ ?+y bearer ! wi#d+@ /(<b1 A#

ar.&ed ab%e' "he rd a$d "he witan are li$.&i#"ically a$d !&$c"i$ally rela"ed " each

"her i$ "he 0e+1 Fr #chere' rd i# c+0&$ded wi"h eran' " bear r carry1

 N"ably' eran i# !"e$ a##cia"ed wi"h "he beari$. ! wea0$# r ar+r1 Fr e8a+0le'

a!"er "he ca#".&ard #"a"e# hi# .$+ic wi#d+' he #ay# he will "a2e "he Gea"#' ?.ewi"a

!r bera$ wae0e$ $d .ewaed&'@ ?" . !r"h beari$. wea0$# a$d ar+r1@ (/b3

((a1 Al#' Bew&l! re"&r$# "he Hr&$"i$. #wrd " H&$!er"h' a#2i$. hi+ " ?bear@ i"

/*)b' a$d Bew&l! "ell# Hr"h.ar "ha"' i! "he Da$e# are i$ $eed ! aid' "he Gea"# will

c+e 6beari$.6 a ?!re#" ! #0ear#@ /*<b1 I$#"ead ! beari$. a$ a$cie$" #wrd r "he

"l# ! war' #chere bear# rd ' #i.$i!yi$. a di0l+a"ic +echa$i#+ !r re#l%i$.

c$!lic"1 >&#" a# a warrir +i.h" bear a #wrd r a #hield' a di0l+a" bear# ad%ice1

Si.$i!ica$"ly' Gre$del6# +"her a""ac2# "he #0here ! wi#d+ a$d $"' !r e8a+0le' $e !

Bew&l!6# crew r e%e$ #+e 0wer!&l warrir ! "he Da$e#1 The dea"h ! $e ! i"#

leader# ill&#"ra"e# "he witan's i$abili"y " re#l%e "he %ile$" ra+0a.e# ! i$h&+a$

%ile$ce1 $wled.e ! #chere6# +e+ber#hi0 i$ "hi# c++&$i"y al# i$"e$#i!ie# "he

 0a"h# #&rr&$di$. hi# dea"h1 He i# +re "ha$ #+e ra$d+ Da$e wh ha00e$# " die a"

"he ha$d# ! Ge$del6# +"her' he i# a re0re#e$"a"i%e ! "he c&l"&re ! wi#d+1

Bew&l! e+bdie# a #y#"e+ ! %al&e# "ha" i# b"h ad+irable a$d re0ella$"1 Hw

"he a&die$ce de!i$e# "hi# #y#"e+ i# !&$da+e$"al " c$#"r&c"i$. a$ ide$"i"y !r "he warrir

a$d &$der#"a$di$. hi# rle i$ "he c++&$i"y1 By c+0ari$. "he de+a$d# he ha# a# a

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warrir wi"h "he de+a$d# "he witan ha%e a# a c++&$al i$#"i"&"i$ ! a&"hri"y' "he

 0e"6# #"ra"e.y " re0re#e$" a c&l"&re i$ !l&8' where "he %al&e# ! "he i$di%id&al bec+e

di#0laced by "he c++&$i"y' bec+e# +re clear1 While +&ch i# le!" i$"e$"i$ally

a+bi%ale$"' we ca$ #a!ely #ay "ha" "here i# $" e$&.h #0ace !r b"h "he warrir a$d "he

witan " #&r%i%e1 U$-&ali!ied 0rai#e !r Bew&l! i# 0rble+a"ic1

Bew&l!6# #0eech " "he ca#".&ard #hw# hi+ a" "he hei.h" ! hi# ra"rical #2ill#

a$d hi# abili"y " #&cce##!&lly !ei.$ a$ a##cia"i$ wi"h "he witan de+$#"ra"e# a

re+ar2able ca0aci"y " 0er!r+ "he rle ! "he di0l+a"1 Bew&l! re#l%e# "he c$!lic"

wi"h "he ca#".&ard' a 0"e$"ially %ile$" #i"&a"i$' wi"h di0l+a"ic $e."ia"i$#1 A# "he

 0e+ 0r.re##e#' #0eech l#e# i" #"abili"y:

A# "he braci$.' #"eadyi$. 0wer ! #0eech a$d "her +a$3+ade i"e+# i$ Beowulf 

.rad&ally !all# away' # de# #0eech6# abili"y " re!lec" acc&ra"ely "he wrld "ha"

"he 0e+6# charac"er# e80erie$ce ar&$d "he+1 A #&b.e$re ! #0eech7"he

 ba#"7a$d e%ide$ce ! "he re#"ric"ed $a"&re ! h&+a$2i$d6# 2$wled.e 0i$"i$e8rably " "hi# !ac"1(<

I$ hi# !ir#" #0eech' Bew&l! ha# a clear %i#i$ ! "he wrld a$d "he $eed !r a warrir "

!&l!ill a$ e##e$"ial rle1 B&" hi# wrd# !all a0ar"1 Bew&l! i# wedded " "he c&l"&re ! "he

her a$d i# &$able "a2e 0ar" i$ "he $ew c&l"&re ! wi#d+1 Hr"h.ar &r.e# Bew&l! "

accli+a"e " "hi# $ew c&l"&re "ha" 0ri%ile.e# "he %al&e# ! "he witan a$d "he wi#d+ !

"heir rd. R1E1 a#2e #hw# hw Bew&l! a$d Hr"h.ar are 9&8"a0#ed by "he 0e" "

deli$ea"e "he#e "w wrld %iew#1 S0ea2i$. ! Hr"h.ar:

Wi"h "he wa$i$. ! hi# w$ fortitudo' %ile$ce $ l$.er c+0el# hi#

a""e$"i$ a# a !rce " be !re#ee$ He $w relie# chie!ly $ c&$#el'2i$.ly +&$i!ice$ce' di0l+acy' a$d wi#e e$d&ra$ce a$d 9&#" 0##ibly

hi# leader#hi0 ! "he witan wh !r+ "he +i#"a2e$ 9&d.+e$" ab&" "he

%ile$" ac"i$ be$ea"h "he +ere The de%el0+e$" i$ Hr"h.ar i#

(< B9r2' ?S0eech a# Gi!"'@ /))<1

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 0aralleled i$ "he Da$i#h $a"i$1 3a/ientia i# "here i$ .rea" %arie"y: "he

$ble 0rece0" ! Hr"h.ar hi+#el!J c&l"i%a"ed 2$wled.e ! "he 0a#" a$d !

"he ar"# ! #$. i$ Hr"h.ar a$d "he #c0J "he "ac" a$d i$#i.h" !

Wealh"hewJ "he warrir wi#d+ i$ "he ca#"warde$ a$d W&l!.arJ a$d 0r!e##i$al 6wi#d+6 "&r$ed bac2 &0$ i"#el! i$ U$!er"hJ a$d "he .e$eral

i+0re##i$ ! .ray3headed wi#d+ c$"rib&"ed by "he !re-&e$" +e$"i$ !"he witan.(

 

Thi# ?#a0ie$"ia'@ r wi#d+' re0re#e$"# "he %al&e# ! "he witan ?c&$#el'@

?+&$i!ice$ce'@ ?di0l+acy'@ ?e$d&ra$ce'@ e"c1' a$d' a# a#2e ar.&e#' "he %al&e# ! "he

Da$i#h $a"i$1 Gre$del i# a$ ab$r+ali"y' !r.ed a# "he 2i$ ! Cai$ i$ "he de0"h# !

a$"i-&i"y1 The +$#"er c+e# !r+ "he de0"h# ! "i+e " 0&ll "he Da$e# bac2 i$" "he

 0a#"1 Hwe%er' $" e%ery +$#"er i# li2e Gre$del' a$d a# a 2i$.' Bew&l! ca$$" a!!rd

" i.$re "he "ra$#i"i$ ! hi# c&l"&re1

The 0wer!&l i+a.e ! Scyld6# !&$eral ha$.# %er "he $arra"i%e a# #$ a# i" i#

&""ered1 A!"er "he e-&ally 0"e$" de#cri0"i$ ! Bew&l!6# !&$eral a" "he 0e+6# e$d' "he

a&die$ce i# !rced " c$#ider "he c$$ec"i$ be"wee$ "he#e "w 2i$.#1 The 0e" &#e#

Scyld6# !&$eral " e#"abli#h "he di%i#i$ be"wee$ "he c&l"&re ! "he warrir a$d "he c&l"&re

! wi#d+ a" "he be.i$$i$. ! "he #"ry1 The $arra"r de#cribe# Scyld6# !la"i$. "+b'

 0iled wi"h "rea#&re a$d ar+r' a$d "he$ #ay#' ?+e$ $e c&$$$ #ec.a$ " #e

#elerde$$e hle &$der he!e$&+ hwa + hl#"e $!e$.'@ ?+e$ ca$$" 2$w' "

#ay "r&"h!&lly' ei"her "he hall c&$#ellr# r "he her# &$der hea%e$' wh recei%ed "ha"

!rei.h"@ )b3(b1 The -&e#"i$ ! wh r wha" recei%e# Scyld6# ?!rei.h"@ i# e80lici"ly

re$dered i$de"er+i$a"e1 I" #h&ld be $"ed "ha" "hi# ?!rei.h"@ #i.$i!ie# Scyld6# #0iri"&al

!a"e a$d hi# +a"erial le.acy1 Here' "he 0e" i# .i%i$. "he a&die$ce' &0!r$"' "he "w

 0ri+ary a$8ie"ie# i" #h&ld bri$. " Bew&l!6# dea"hJ hw #h&ld we re#l%e Bew&l!6#

( a#2e' ?Sa0e$"ia a$d Fr"i"&d'@ <K1

 

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#0iri"&al le.acy %er#&# hi# +a"erial !a"e The 0e" "ell# "he a&die$ce "ha" "he#e a$8ie"ie#

will re+ai$ &$re#l%ed1 Ul"i+a"ely' a# "he $arra"r #ay#' "he "w #0here# "ha" c&ld

 0"e$"ially de"er+i$e "he 0e+6# +ea$i$.' "he #0here ! "he warrir' "he hle,' a$d "he

#0here ! wi#d+' selerdenne ca$$" #hare a 0er#0ec"i%e $ "he i##&e ! le.acy' which

i# le!" &0 " "he a&die$ce " de"er+i$e "hr&.h "he a+bi%ale$ce ! dialec"ic1

  <)

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Cla##e$' Albrech"1 4Why d Their Wrd# Fail4 4odern $hilolo#y1 ;l1 ' N1 / A&.1'

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Cl%er' Carl1 ?The Ger+a$ic C$"e8" ! "he U$!er E0i#de1@ 3/eculu%' ;l1 ' N1

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Dr&"' Michael1 ?Bld a$d Deed#: The I$heri"a$ce Sy#"e+# i$ Bew&l!1@ 3tudies in

 $hilolo#y' ;l1 /)<' N1 (' S0ri$. ()): /3((K1

Earl' >a+e#1 ?Hi#0eric S"yle i$ "he Old E$.li#h 4Rhy+i$. ,e+41@  $4L5' ;l1 /)(' N1( Mar1' /*: /*3/K1

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Wi$"er' /K(: /3)1

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Hal%er#$' >h$1 ?The Wrld ! Bew&l!1@ EL8 ;l1 K' N1 < Dec1' /K: 3K)*1

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 Journal of 6ri%inal Law 6ri%inolo#y and $olice 3cience ;l1 <' N1 K Mar1 3

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in $hilolo#y' ;l1 ' N1 >&l1' /*: <(3<K1

Lawre$ce' Willia+ Wi"herle1 ?Bew&l! a$d "he Tra.edy ! Fi$$#b&r.1@  $4L5' ;l1 )'

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Le!ry' A1H1F1 ?The A$.l3Sa8$ ,erid ! E$.li#h Law1@ "he 9ale Law Journal ;l1 (K'

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Ly$' H1 R1 ?Ge#i"h# a$d The.$# i$ A$.l3Sa8$ E$.la$d !r+ "he Se%e$"h " "he Te$"h

Ce$"&ry1@ "he En#lish 8istorical 0e7iew ;l1 )' N1 ( Oc"1' /: (3<1

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Maddic""' >1R1 Ori#ins of the En#lish $arlia%ent. O8!rd: O8!rd U$i%er#i"y ,re##'()/)

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 Nile#' >h$1 ?Rewri"i$. Bew&l!: The Ta#2 ! Tra$#la"i$1@ 6olle#e En#lish ;l1 ' N1

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O.il%y' >1 D1 A1 ?U$!er"h: Fil " Bew&l!@ $4L5 ;l1 ' N1 < Se01' /K<: )3

,r"her' G1W1 ?G$ei#" $ "he E$.li#h C$#"i"&"i$1@ "he En#lish 8istorical 0e7iew ;l1' N1 >a$1' /***: /3

R#ier' >a+e# L1 ? Desi#n for "reachery: "he Unferth ;ntri#ue@ $4L5 ;l1 ' N1 /

Mar1' /K(: /3

We$"er#dr!' arl1 ?The Old E$.li#h 4Rhy+i$. ,e+4: A R&ler6# La+e$"1@ 3tudies in

 $hilolo#y ;l1 *(' N1 S&++er' /*: (K3(<1

 

Whall' Willia+1 ?The Chri#"ia$i"y ! Bew&l!1@ 4odern $hilolo#y ;l1 K)' N1 ( N%1'

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