Historical Context
Exploring evidence

The action of Beowulf is set in the 5th or 6th Century AD in Scandinavia, and it is thought that the poem was created in around the 8th Century AD in England. Over the years, archaeologists have found many buried treasures from jewellery to helmets, swords and even ships that have helped them build a picture of how people might have lived in the distant past.

Student Extension Task

• What evidence do we have of what life was like at the time Beowulf is set?
• Is there any historical evidence that links to the events and the legend of Beowulf?

Invasion and Influence

The invasions of England have influenced not only the language of the English, but also their culture. Tribes of Nordic, Scandinavian and Germanic settlers, a little like those in Beowulf, brought their own beliefs, values and culture with them when they settled in the British Isles. From around the 6th Century onward, which is roughly the time Beowulf is set, the Anglo Saxon population of England was starting to convert to Christianity as Roman missionaries introduced the religion.

Student Task One

• What can you learn from the poem and the film about religion, customs and society in the time of Beowulf?
• What was considered important, and what sort of values did people seem to have?
• Do you think these tie in with Christian beliefs and attitudes, or are there any contrasts between the two ways of life?

Student Task Two

• What can you learn from the poem and the film about religion, customs and society in the time of Beowulf?
• What was considered important, and what sort of values did people seem to have?
• Do you think these tie in with Christian beliefs and attitudes, or are there any contrasts between the two ways of life?