The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son
Encyclopedia
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son is the title of a work by J. R. R. Tolkien
that was originally published in 1953 in volume 6 of the scholarly journal Essays and Studies by Members of the English Association
. It is a work of historical fiction
, inspired by the Old English poem The Battle of Maldon
. It is written in the form of an alliterative poem, but is also a play
, being mainly a dialogue
between two characters in the aftermath of the Battle of Maldon
. The work was accompanied by two essays, also by Tolkien, one before and one after the main work.
The work, as published, was thus presented as:
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son is a notable if obscure work of Tolkien's, demonstrating his ability to recreate the alliterative beauty of Old English, yet at the same time deviating from the style in decidedly modern ways. It has since been republished in various collections of Tolkien's works, including an audio book with J. R. R. Tolkien performing the poem and Christopher Tolkien
reading the essays.
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
that was originally published in 1953 in volume 6 of the scholarly journal Essays and Studies by Members of the English Association
English Association
The English Association is a British association dedicated to furthering the study of English language and literature in schools, higher education institutes and amongst the public in general....
. It is a work of historical fiction
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
, inspired by the Old English poem The Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon is the name given to an Old English poem of uncertain date celebrating the real Battle of Maldon of 991, at which the Anglo-Saxons failed to prevent a Viking invasion...
. It is written in the form of an alliterative poem, but is also a play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
, being mainly a dialogue
Dialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
between two characters in the aftermath of the Battle of Maldon
Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon took place on 10 August 991 near Maldon beside the River Blackwater in Essex, England, during the reign of Aethelred the Unready. Earl Byrhtnoth and his thegns led the English against a Viking invasion. The battle ended in an Anglo-Saxon defeat...
. The work was accompanied by two essays, also by Tolkien, one before and one after the main work.
The work, as published, was thus presented as:
- The Death of Beorhtnoth - an introductory essay concerning the battle and the Old English fragment that inspired Tolkien.
- The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son - the actual work itself.
- Ofermod - an essay following on from the main work, discussing the meaning of the Old English word ofermod.
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son is a notable if obscure work of Tolkien's, demonstrating his ability to recreate the alliterative beauty of Old English, yet at the same time deviating from the style in decidedly modern ways. It has since been republished in various collections of Tolkien's works, including an audio book with J. R. R. Tolkien performing the poem and Christopher Tolkien
Christopher Tolkien
Christopher Reuel Tolkien is the third and youngest son of the author J. R. R. Tolkien , and is best known as the editor of much of his father's posthumously published work. He drew the original maps for his father's The Lord of the Rings, which he signed C. J. R. T. The J...
reading the essays.