Elene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon Poems
Elene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon Poems
Translated by James Mercer Garnett
This collection, published in the early 20th century, features notable Anglo-Saxon poems translated into English, including 'Elene,' 'Judith,' 'Athelstan,' and 'Byrhtnoth.' The poems explore themes of heroism, faith, and warfare, focusing on historical and religious figures such as Empress Helena and the biblical Judith. Each piece reflects the cultural and literary significance of the Anglo-Saxon period, showcasing the intertwining of Christian themes with the historical context of battles like Brunanburh and Maldon. This compilation serves as a vital representation of early medieval literature.
Editions
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“Its a perfectly good face, Sparhawk.""It covers the front of my head. What else can you expect from a face?””
— Unknown
“I want a sword not a knitting needle-Kalen ””
— Unknown
“Sparhawk grinned. "If Martel finds out that he's drinking again, he'll reach down his throat and pull his heart out." "Can you actually do that to a man?" "You can if your arm's long enough, and if you know what you're looking for.[...]””
— Unknown
“Teşekkürler, Lordum," dedi fahişe.Etrafına bakındı."Burası sefil bir yer," dedi, sesinde kesin bir teslimiyet vardı."Eğer sokaklarda çalışmaktan hoşlansaydım buraya hiç gelmezdim." İçini çekti. "Biliyor musunuz?" dedi, "ayaklarım ağrıyor.Oysa benim mesleğimdeki birinin sırtından şikayetçi olması gerekirdi.Tekrar teşekkürler, Lordum." Döndü ve oturduğu masaya doğru ayaklarını sürüye sürüye geri gitti. "Fahişelerle konuşmayı seviyorum," dedi Kalten."Hayata karşı hoş, sade bir bakışları var." "Bir kilise şövalyesi için ilginç bir hobi." "Tanrı beni savaşçı olarak kiraladı Sparhawk, keşiş olarak değil.Bana söylediğinde savaşırım ama diğer zamanlarım bana ait.””
— Unknown
“Kurik ve hırsız olmasından utandığı oğlu Talen; "Handan uzaklaşırken dolunay vardı ve hava açıktı. K--> Bu taraftan. T--> Nerden biliyorsun. K--> Yıldızlardan T--> Gerçektan yıldızların yön belirleyebileceğinimi söylüyorsun? K--> Tabiki gemiciler bunu binlerce yıldır yapıyor. T--> Bunu bilmiyordum K--> İşte bu yüzden okulda kalmış olman gerekirdi. T--> Ben denizci olmayı planlamıyorum, Kurik. Balık çalmak bana uygun bir işmiş gibi gelmiyor.””
— Unknown
“That's a strange hobby for a Church Knight.""God hired me as a fighting man, Sparhawk, not as a monk. I fight whenever He tells me to, but the rest of my time is my own.””
— Unknown
“If that‘s the way we have to do it, then that‘s the way we‘ll do it.””
— Unknown
About Elene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon Poems
Chapter Summaries
- Elene I
- Constantine sees a vision of the cross before battle and receives divine promise of victory. He defeats the Huns and Goths with the cross as his standard.
- Elene II
- Constantine wins the battle and learns about Christianity from his advisors. He is baptized by Sylvester and becomes a Christian emperor.
- Elene III
- Constantine sends his mother Helena to Jerusalem to find the true cross. She travels with a great army across the sea to the Holy Land.
Key Themes
- Divine Providence and Faith
- Throughout all poems, divine intervention guides events and rewards faithful service. Constantine's vision, Judith's victory, and the cross's revelation all demonstrate God's active role in human affairs.
- Heroic Loyalty and Honor
- The poems celebrate warriors who remain faithful to their lords and principles even unto death. Byrhtnoth's retainers and the Anglo-Saxon ideal of comitatus exemplify this theme.
- Conversion and Redemption
- Several characters undergo spiritual transformation, particularly Judas who converts from skeptical Jew to Christian bishop, representing the possibility of redemption for all.
Characters
- Constantine(protagonist)
- Roman Emperor who receives a vision of the cross and converts to Christianity. He becomes the first Christian emperor and sends his mother Helena to find the true cross.
- Helena(protagonist)
- Mother of Constantine who undertakes the quest to find the true cross in Jerusalem. She is determined, commanding, and ultimately successful in her mission.
- Judas/Cyriacus(major)
- A learned Jew who initially resists revealing the location of the cross but eventually converts to Christianity. He becomes Bishop of Jerusalem and takes the name Cyriacus.
- Judith(protagonist)
- Hebrew heroine who beheads the Assyrian general Holofernes while he sleeps drunk. She saves her people through courage and divine favor.
- Holofernes(antagonist)
- Assyrian general who threatens the Hebrew people. He is killed by Judith while in a drunken stupor at his own banquet.
- Athelstan(protagonist)
- Anglo-Saxon king who leads the English forces to victory at Brunanburh alongside his brother Edmund. He represents English unity and martial prowess.
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