Michael Wood - In search of Beowulf

[@Poland002]

If you need to write notes for this... 1. Beowulf is a poem that describes a hero (of the same name) who confronts a villain in his lair(0:50) 2. The Anglo-Saxon language is at the root of English literature (1:30) 3. Anglo-Saxons arrived on English shores in the 5th century A.D. (1:55) 4. Beowulf is the earliest work of Great British literature. (3:24) 5. Beowulf is set in Denmark, and a little bit in Sweden- not Britain. (3:27) 6. There are still live performances of Beowulf happening today. (4:40) 7. In attacking the Mead Hall, Grendel (the villain) was attacking society as a whole. (7:30) 8. Within the Mead Hall, rituals were enacted that bound the Anglo-Saxon community together. (7:31) 9. Beowulf took a company of men and sailed from Sweden to Denmark. Their mission was to expel Grendel from Hrothgar's hall. (8:20) 10. The poem originated as an oral tale. (8:35) 11. It survived as a single manuscript that is currently kept under high security at the British Library. (9:00) 12. It took its current form around the year 1000 A.D. (9:33) 13. In 1731, a fire damaged many of the Beowulf manuscripts. (11:00) 14. The first part of the poem ends when Beowulf severs Grendel's arm. (14:30) 15. We still don't know when and wear the original poem was formed. (15:10) 16. We also do not know where the successive oral retellings were shaped into the modern versions. (15:20) 17. There are clues to the story's origin however. They can be found in East Anglia. (15:30) 18. Edith Pritty was a women who owned much of the land surrounding East Anglia. She became convinced there was gold in her hills after hearing about legends describing it. (17:10) 19. In 1938, she approached archaeologist Battle Brown to help her investigate several strange looks mounds. (17:30) 20. In 1939, Brown uncovered a great ship buried beneath the hills. It's burial chamber was undisturbed. (18:13) 21. This relates to Beowulf for the following reason: In the opening of the poem, there is a royal ship burial, just like the burial found in the actual buried ship. (19:15) 22. There was also much gold found in the ship. Just like Beowulf described. (20:15) 23. The most magnificent find was a gold ceremonial helmet. It revealed more of a connection with the Beowulf poem. (21:15) 24. The helmet belongs to Redweld, one the first kings of the area. (22:17) 25. It is evidenced that Beowulf was aware of the royal line of England seeing as how the helmet was included in the story. (22:36) 26. The second installment of the poem shows Grendel's mother taking revenge. (27:30) 27. To the poet, Grendel's mother acts as a “perverse mirror to mankind.” (28:25) 28. Grendel and his mother are described as the seed of Cain. (28:50) 29. In East-Anglia, the name Grendel is still applied to marshes. (29:30) 30. The enemies in Anglo-Saxon literature are often described using Biblical terms in order to show how evil they are. (29:40)

[@leilanibarajas2557]

thank u for doing gods work 🤍🧡

[@saryn5989]

this made me actually moan

[@kevinwright7728]

thank you senpai

[@majorbruh9742]

I have never felt more respect for another human being than currently. God bless your soul

[@blessingsonly3371]

Appreciate it thank you

[@georgefillingham1255]

As much as I enjoy all of Mr. Wood's documentaries, this one about Beowulf is one of my favorites and I return to it many many times

[@sorrysirmygunisoneba]

Absolutely fantastic. It really saddens me to know that this BBC which created fascinating documentaries and incredible dramas no longer exists. What on earth happened to them?

[@daverogers1099]

racism

[@jimmy31hendrix]

I love the passion that these guys show in the documentary. You can see how their eyes shine whit excitement just by talking about Beowulf.

[@nathalia65157]

+jimmy31hendrix Exactly what I thought! Wow they are so passionate!

[@Bizarro2024]

@Tempa T Boudica didn't defeat the Romans although She had some good battles and messed them up pretty bad almost in defeat. But They eventually overcame Her and She supposedly killed Herself before They did. The Romans really left because of the eventual collapse of the Roman Empire by the Visigoths at home. Then They withdrew out of Britain.

[@lawrenceglaister4364]

He and Alice Roberts are far better than the Snow's

[@matimus100]

Love from Jimmy everyone ❤ 💕 congratulations 👏 Jimmy for coming out

[@1987MartinT]

Hearing the tale of Beowulf as told by Julian Glover sounds amazing!

[@billslocum9819]

A Bond villain, of all things! How wonderfully the great stories of man feed and flow into one another!

[@davehallett3128]

A great retelling by a great actor i wish and hope the performance is available on you tube. It shows michael wood s generosity and admiration that so much was included

[@Concetta20]

Michael Wood is such an engaging host. I haven't seen a documentary by him I haven't liked. :)

[@John-xk2sd]

He's brilliant

[@patriciarichter3281]

@@John-xk2sd 1

[@bobito8997]

Wonderful. Nobody else does history programmes quite like Michael Wood and the Anglo Saxon period is his speciality.

[@KmT81]

Very old programmes very early 80s Alfred the Great,William the Conqueror

[@michaz1961]

Really? You have no better about this period? You are really fucked! Greatings from Denmark.

[@GoGreen1977]

You should have watched "The Search for the Trojan War" back in the 1980s. I fell in love with Michael Wood back then. If I hadn't already started my career, I would've gone back to school, become a historian and run off to join him.

[@jimmythe-gent]

Why does he say the anglo Saxons didn't have much effect on our DNA? -About a third of our British ancestry is anglo saxon...

[@alicemi4155]

How can a minority impose their language on a different ethnic majority?

[@darrenrenna]

Julian Glover doing a one man show of Beowulf--I would fly across the Atlantic to see that!

[@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493]

I love the passion of the historians, and the actor-storyteller. These stories deserve the respect that they still get.

[@olivemd]

I’ve watched this many times. Mr. wood’s love of the poem shines through and captivates me.

[@gregkral4467]

Gotta say, the storyteller around the fire was inspiring, me and kids were cheering..... what a wonderful way to tell a tale.

[@TheSfcinc]

I have no idea when the video hit 500k, but cheers to you all and thank you for keeping the comment section so civil :)

[@kacy940]

Thanks for posting this great program. Really beats anything on American TV nowadays, and Michael Wood always does wonderful documentaries.

[@charlesmugleston6144]

Thank you Michael and team - Divine Drama in word & deed. It was a pleasure to have participated in the recent 2019 Beowulf Festival in Woodbridge sharing the story of this poems Mythic Shipmate - The Ruba'iya't of Omar Khayya'm. Charles Mugleston Omar Khayya'm Theatre company

[@carolinebarnes6832]

"His fate hovered near, unknowable but certain." Gives me shivers all over.

[@BC-ui9yt]

Wonderful line. Old English was vivid poetry.

[@etevenatkowicz9745]

I mean, the poems were, yes.

[@IsraelRich]

5:48 The beginning of the poem 12:46 Beowulf meets Grendel 17:23 Suttenhoo 1938 Basil brown investigates 19:329 the poem continues 24:47 the poem continues 27:17 Grendels mother 30:22 The legend of the Blythburgh Monestary

[@bify1913]

omg thank you so much i need this

[@creekwalker62]

Suttonhoo

[@heartss.81223]

Thx definitely helped me in class and homework 😃

[@davehallett3128]

Monastery in english

[@athenassigil5820]

I'm a Canadian of Anglo-Scandinavian descent.....but my spiritual homeland is Anglo-Saxon England in those early years of the medieval era ( 400 AD to 1066). This documentary is a mini-masterpiece! From the presentation, locations and the scenes of Julian Glover reciting Beowulf. If this could be compared to anything, it's an never-ending well of lore, history and an age, though long gone...much beloved and presented here, almost real! I probably watch it 4 to 5 times a year, along with a reading or listening of the original (trans. By Seamus Heaney) Cheers! Fellow Wyrd Walkers!

[@gordonfrickers5592]

Outstanding, thank you.

[@wildhias6195]

It such a pleasure to see Michael Wood's passion - he hasn't changed much in 30 years

[@sstan1337]

wildhias- He hasn´t washed or combed his hair in 30 years either.

[@bendleonard]

Julian Glover’s performance of the poem is masterful

[@auntijen3781]

My brother suffered from severe test anxiety & fear of public speaking GROWING up. It was THRU A LESSON ON BEOWULF, that he overcame both

[@meeeka]

@AuntiJen, I wish you could share how he did so; we have a youngster in our family who suffers from exam anxiety. The teachers haven't got much imagination about their students or their abilities. To hear how by Beowulf, your brother conquered his fear, would be so hope-inspiring for the students and their families. how rich beowulf has made our lives today, as he reaches beyond time to give us his gifts.

[@Chuschannel]

"And Heaven swallowed the smoke." Beautiful phrase.

[@fitz7231]

Tolkien merely interpreted it as "The smoke faded in the sky"

[@kathleenbainbridge8114]

It truly is. Absolutely gorgeous, but then the whole saga is.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

When someone asks, what is at the root of English culture? I will point them to this programme, to Beowulf, and in particular to Michael Wood. I don’t think I have ever admired any historian so highly, nor been so inspired by a single professor of the past, and I’ve spent half of my life swimming in the joyous balmy currents of history.

[@damaristighe3227]

He is a court historian. History as a celebration of multiculturalism. May not bug you. Bugs me.

[@mountainmanws]

Onoclus, I've viewed all the documentaries of Mr. Wood. By just luck, I've saved his best for last. Thank you for posting.

[@TheSfcinc]

mountainmanws my pleasure :)

[@Sutra-xn1xl]

Love everything Michael Wood presents!

[@DynastyUK]

The cinematography, colours, composition, lighting and whole setup were fantastic in this! The fact you could see all the detail in the background while keeping Michael lit up well was great. If you look at earlier productions the sky is always blown out white.

[@sirnathannoble4146]

Without the Anglo Saxons we would not have the beautiful language and culture we Englishmen and Americans have in common. Honor their memory!

[@jasonsweet1868]

Hail that doesn't sound right

[@jasonsweet1868]

i vivos touchy

[@TacDyne]

I celebrate by tossing dirty hippies into the air and catching them on my sword!

[@davehallett3128]

English is actually derived from west friesian from the north netherlands not from the angles or the saxons

[@NRodovsky]

This should come with a warning that you should watch it next to a roaring fire with strong drink or very good wine to hand!

[@invinciblejets4690]

Lambic*

[@TheMrhycannon]

I was going for a rum and coke but you're right.. Mead it is, tonight..

[@MossyMozart]

@NRodovsky - And warm, crusty bread with fresh-made butter.

[@bashkillszombies]

NRodovsky At hand not to, and real men drink mead not grape juice!

[@nathantwomey9239]

Skoll

[@jbailor13]

This was a very nice documentary with some beautiful landscape shots and Michael Wood is brilliant as always. Thank you for posting.

[@billkarmetsky4003]

These stories and legends must be kept alive by storytelling. Wood is right. These stories and presenters and poets are priceless treasures who celebrate thousands of years of Anglo-Saxon history.

[@iraqafghanistanmarine6905]

I would give anything to take history classes with Michael Wood as my professor. He has such palpable passion for history. It’s infectious.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wood_(historian)

[@iraqafghanistanmarine6905]

june silverman b thank you!! 🙏👍

[@michaelcane3918]

Knowledge, enthusiasm, presentation. Michael Wood has it all. Add to that, some of the best cinematography I have seen in a documentary of this type. Thanks !

[@nataliebartels2202]

This was wonderful. The last few minutes are solid gold.

[@SNP-1999]

A wonderful documentary narrated and presented by a master storyteller, Michael Wood, with beautiful footage of the East Anglian Fens where I used to live in my childhood. The storytelling in the Anglo-Saxon hall by Julian Glover was an unique experience, despite showing only snippets of the epic tale, but magic in its vivid presentation and atmosphere that even the dogs seemed fascinated. I could watch this kind of re-telling of ancient literature for hours on end, it is a privilege to watch.

[@jimmyggh1]

Michael Wood is amazing as usual!

[@sstan1337]

Jim Hoover- He would be more amazing if he combed and washed his greasy hair.

[@melaniec1074]

I'm a lot more interested in what he has to say than how his hair looks. If you really love history you don't get caught up in trivial things like appearance. Don't have the same expectations of your experts as you do of movie idols and Instagram stars and you might actually learn something of importance.

[@Karloffrules]

Thank you SO much for the upload! Needed some beauty to celebrate Valentine's Day, and definitely found it here. Plenty to love about Michael Wood and Beowulf! and your generosity, The Onoclus.

[@MrTorleon]

Thank you for posting this fascinating documentary. Michael Wood has such deep knowledge and understanding of his subject, but presented in such a captivating and enthusiastic way. Brilliant :)

[@willhouse]

5 years ago my feet bore me into that vault at the British Library where Beowulf awaited, amongst case after case of legends. Leonardo Da Vinci and the Lindisfarne Gospels were but two of this poem's stunning neighbors. Each glowed in a subtle light... Quite literally. If you go at the right time when the vault is open for viewing, each of those are just sitting there behind glass or plastic or whatever they use to protect such treasure. The room was nearly dark and each object so subtly lit that it required a moment to adjust one's eyes between items. A truly fascinating experience.

[@toekafrank6998]

I believe you absolutely. You were blessed.

[@dancingwiththedarkness3352]

How many generations sat around blazing fires in smokey halls, listening to this story. A island of humanity, surrounded by the darkness of the unknown, as death howled in the winds of winter storms, attempting to find its way inside and among them. Beautiful and ancient, hearing this story is to share a moment with people long turned to dust, as they come to life once again, in words and our imagination.

[@TheSfcinc]

100K views :D I am not happy because I can brag but because so many people are interested in this. Thank you :)

[@foxyMamaIdaho]

+The Onoclus Thank you so much for sharing this beautifully informative and epic program....reminds me of the importance of our literary past. Bravo!

[@jlwaddey9579]

it is re-assuring that intelligent, curious folks exist in great numbers!

[@hardwankinman558]

wasnt grendel who manually disassembled similar individuals?

[@TheMrhycannon]

This is the first time I've heard Grendel described as a dragon.. References to dragons are very problematical..

[@carolinesroadhouse]

Mrhycannon I don't believe he ever said Grendel was a dragon. The dragon story is a separate tale at the end of Beowulf, when he's an old man.

[@marcusbrody8002]

I'd like to just watch a video of that guy performing and telling the story with the crowd reactions, that is as good as anything on HBO!

[@Everett-f2h]

This is awesome, I could watch this all day.

[@elizebethpenington3755]

Thanks to everyone involved. Such a treat.

[@tantraman93]

The writers of Beowulf speaking across time...so moving.

[@roberthiorns7584]

Greatly enjoyed. Amazing how such a great work survived the ravages of history and Christian anarchy! Kind regards and many thanks.

[@leonorebaulch6251]

So much to love in this marvellous documentary....a passionate lover and scholar of history and a gifted actor to recall a beloved tale...a feast for history and poetry lovers....

[@YgraineDance]

Thank you so much for uploading! I love everything Michael Wood presents and teaches; always have. Was mesmerized by Beowulf as a child and I guess I've never lost my taste for all things Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Brit:-)

[@AyebeeMk2]

History as it should be; Brilliant.

[@Souljahna]

Thank you, Onoclus, for this upload. A gorgeous doc. - including the inspired reading of sections of Beowulf by Julian Glover.

[@matthewlucas4142]

Souljahna Grand Maester Pycelle Julian Glover?

[@Starkodder1963]

Thank you England for preserving our Scandinavian history.

[@Starkodder1963]

***** Yes. And as Beowulf is so much more detailed than it´s Scandinavian counterpart sagas, one can now put a mark on the map where Grendel's abode is located.

[@janprojts5413]

+Hail Cromwell Any examples of destroyed literature? And it was a close call for the Beowulf manuscript in 1731...

[@TheMrhycannon]

Scandinavians are Celts..

[@Starkodder1963]

Mrhycannon In what way?

[@TheMrhycannon]

All of northern Europe was settled by Celts.. The Irish and Scots are Gaels, a section of Celts/Gauls..

[@arsenicedits7848]

The man telling the story as a Schop does it magnificently, as the story progresses and Beowulf gets older, his demeanour changes to that of a more restful, and fatigued man.

[@blackdog.6398]

Thank you for sharing and I will keep the story next to my heart and there will be a copy by the fireside .. It’s a bit of my Familia s history my momma was Swedish, and she told me too read all I can about any or all the story’s , folk lore , songs and I was a Viking at heart ,, fueled by the Templars, ,,!! Something is pulling me too learn ...more and. Radiate , and shine ,,,,,blessings friends & thank you ,,,

[@lottaleijon6654]

The old English is such a fascinating mix of English and Scandinavian language. When I relax and feel-listen it is so clear what they say. When I pause now they talked about sleik, as in “sleik their thirst”. In Swedish we say “sleika deras turst” (as spelled for english reader, släcka deras törst).

[@Gos1234567]

great photography in this doc,the english countryside scenes are beautiful

[@TheSfcinc]

They are but the fact that it is always sunny is interesting :P

[@nevyen149]

+The Onocl

[@eglantinelass]

In BBC docs, it's ALWAYS interesting! ; }/ ; {

[@lucygaster272]

@@TheSfcinc pure luck! I was privileged enough to be the researcher on this doc and the weather for once decided to cooperate!

[@Victoriacariad]

Really enjoyed this, particulary Julian Glover's bits. Thanks for uploading :)

[@TheSfcinc]

Not a problem :D

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

@3:00(approx)Oh wow! What a performance! One reads about how wandering story tellers have always been respected and welcome. It’s easy to see why. I am so glad to have found this; thank you immensely for the upload, it’s almost as good as being there.

[@jimmythe-gent]

Gods, that reenactment was amazing. Id love to be in that hall

[@tonyhadlee1097]

Interesting documentary and a superb poem of which we should be proud. I do disagree with Michael Wood's opening statement that the Anglo-Saxons being"impoverished economic migrants" and having "little influence on our D.N.A." There is much evidence to the contrary, literary, archaeological, cultural and scientific.

[@voraciousreader3341]

This is one of my favorite documentaries made by Michael Wood, and I’ve watched it several times! From the comments I read, it seems that there are some ignorant folks who believe Wood has given in to “revisionist” history, in that he accepts the recent position changes regarding the so-called “Dark Ages” and the theory of the mass invasion and conquest of England by the Anglo Saxons. _People clearly don’t understand that our understanding of history is a fluid process that must change where evidence supports change,_ AND they don’t understand how this differs from so-called “revisionist history.” *”Revisionist history” (which is that unsupported by facts) is motivated by unscrupulous people who attempt to change history in order to support their biased, incorrect, unsupported view of events.* These people are apparently unaware that the theory of the “Dark Ages” was just that-a theory-which was disproved by the evidence unearthed by scholars, who then outlined and documented their findings in peer reviewed scholarly journals and books. It was all very aboveboard, but the old theory that, “the lights went out all over Europe,” was so entrenched by historians who had based their whole careers on it that there was a great deal of anger when they had to change their views to fit the facts. The so-called Anglo Saxon armed invasion and conquest of England and the life of King Arthur are other strongly held theories based only on old stories and a great deal of emotional investment, with zero evidence, and it’s very distressing to see people attack Michael Wood for following the evidence.

[@janstan8407]

I loved this episode Big Time!! I love the way he mixes the original Anglo-Saxon language in the narration, and then translates it, so you know what it means. This is history and historical literature at its best!!

[@John-xk2sd]

THE BBC make wonderful historical documentaries

[@seamusoluasigh9296]

Many thanks for sharing, I have great respect for Michael Woods, his treatment of this epic poem is beautiful, I have Séamus Heaneys' translation and I think it probably the truest rendering of this wonderful epic.

[@sivanlevi3867]

There's a tale just before the Dragon of Irneness. It's battle between Beowulf and the Geats vs. the Swedish invaders. A civil war within Sweden's royal family spills into Geatland, Beowulf's homeland. He returns to Geatland, takes command of their armies, then confronts the Swedes on Lake Vanirn, a frozen body of water, wins the battle and becomes king thanks to his Geat friends.

[@klimtscat347]

This presenter is trully wonderful! I studied Beowulf at college in my early 20s and have remembered it ever since: "Behold! We have heard of the thrivings of the throne of Denmark, how the former kings flourished in former days..."

[@Bjowolf2]

Shieldings 😉

[@robbijohnson6983]

The BBC Has the best history shows by far.

[@ACruelPicture]

What I wouldn't give to attend a performance of Beowulf by Julian Glover

[@Cory_Dora]

Fun! As an American, we weren’t raised on this poem. In fact, my first experience with the story is the CGI Hollywood production Angelina Joli starred in. I’m excited to learn more about it. But eek! I so wish these guys were wearing gloves when touching that book, even if its just a copy. Wasnt Black Shook mentioned in The Hound of the Baskervilles? I had no idea that was a real folk story! Grr....I really need to touch up on English lore. What I think I appreciate the most is Britain has an ancient language only the historians can speak today and that is truly admirable.

[@lucygaster272]

Funny thing about the gloves - it's now considered good practise NOT to wear gloves as there's the possibility of snagging the paper on the fabric and tearing it and they make your fingers less sensitive so you're not able to be as gentle.

[@Cory_Dora]

@@lucygaster272 yes! Thank you. I’ve heard that too since I made that post. Learning every day. 😊

[@sharonriley4137]

This was visually so stunning ! Great program and I could listen to Seamus Heaney go on for a LOT longer, about Beowolf., but the color palette and the photography was amazing.

[@marinamaccagni5253]

This is awesome!

[@marcusatm]

Just finished reading the book, teared up at the end. Long live Beowulf.

[@michaelsamuel9917]

You can hear the origins of Shakespeare, Tolkien and George R.R Martin and yes even George Lucas in those first stirring words of that tale....

[@eglantinelass]

Sure can!

[@leighjordine4031]

Proof that The spirit of a Legend lives on.

[@kathleenbainbridge8114]

Tolkien, of course, took his inspiration directly from this, as well as the Norse sagas (Tolkien's translation of Beowulf is still one of the finest ever produced, because he GOT the poetry of it.) His son Christopher called Beowulf Tolkien's 'Lodestar; everything he did led up to or away from it.' And G. R. R. M, Lucas, and every fantasy writer since has taken their inspiration from J. R. R. Tolkien. Beowulf is absolutely and truly the great granddaddy of the modern fantasy genre, and much of science fiction as well. I would give my eyeteeth to see the original manuscript in person.

[@waynehieatt5962]

yeah, they are all the same story, termed 'the hero of a 1,000 faces'

[@leighjordine4031]

@@waynehieatt5962 well done for figuring that out. Im glad you mentioned it because i wouldn't of realised. 👍

[@westminstercovenanter912]

Great documentary! We need to treasure our heritage!

[@TheJennick13]

Absolutely amazing to just listen to this wonderful presentation, to hear the beautiful language of our ancestors! even though I'm American my ancestry is very strongly Anglo Saxon as we found a few years ago, it is incredibly moving to hear the emotion & excitement Michael Woods feels when sharing this incredible story with us, even I was compelled to cheer along with the audience & enjoy the flowing language describing the saga of our hero Beowulf! Again & again Michael Woods brings my ancestry closer to me with his programs about the Anglo Saxons that are part of my family line as well & are so wonderful to learn about- next up, Athelstan or Offa?

[@hoeksteen69]

Thanks for this Doc.

[@TheSfcinc]

My pleasure ;)

[@sionmarcsimpson7487]

beautiful! thanks for sharing

[@joshuamacleod2729]

This is actually my favorite history documentary on youtube :)

[@yingluo6590]

If there are monsters I think sonic.exe is there

[@katmandu1960]

Thank you so very much for uploading this! I thought I had seen all of Michael Woods' documentaries, but had no idea this one was out there. It is not always easy in the United States to obtain DVDs or even know of some BBC productions such as this. You absolutely made my day!

[@tomwells8093]

How they haven't done a big budget live action movie for this legendary story is mind boggling! Especially with so many fantasy tales making huge money, even with popular video games having similar storylines. It would be an epic movie!

[@issyd2366]

But they have. It was converted into a movie in 2005.

[@DancingTillIDie]

This guy Michael Wood is terrific. Very authentic.

[@patmillar961]

I enjoyed this so much just as I did the film of the excavation of the ship. If I remember rightly it was called 'The Dig'. Many thanks.

[@HamCubes]

Thank you, Onoclus, for uploading this exquisite video! You're a prince among men, dude!

[@charlychips]

Thank you very much Michael

[@Heru1980]

What a treat this video is! I'll probably never have a chance to go to a re-creation of an AngloSaxon feast complete with costume attire and a talented storyteller recounting the ancient epic in real life, so I really enjoyed this. Thanks for posting!

[@Neldidellavittoria]

Brilliant doc. Thanks!

[@TheSfcinc]

Not a problem :) Glad you liked it :)

[@LadyAlien318]

Fantastic documentary xx completely engrossed all the way through xx

[@wrybreadspread]

Dude's a modern day bard. A bringer of legends to life.

[@PibrochPonder]

Awesome documentary by Michael Wood, fantastic historian. This was a pleasure to watch, no diversity box ticking talking heads, just the facts. :)

[@boojay111]

living in the area as I do, full of myth and legend, you can feel the ancient history as you walk through this magical land. The Fens is an area where people unused to it find it frightening and brooding, which I love. Here, nature is still in control even though man in trying, over the centuries to command it will fail, and It won't be long before man fails and the waters come back and retakes what is hers.

[@willbrowning2812]

Great documentary.

[@sirtim100]

Excellent video. Many thanks for uploading.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Bit of a shock to see Michael Wood like this. I just watched what must have been one of his first docos, with his 70s (blonde), floppy hairstyle, tight jeans, no wrinkles. It’s a bit like a magic trick! And yes, I do admire his knowledge and the passion for history, that he shares so well. But I can do all that whilst thinking he was cute!

[@aristid3]

Michael Wood is a brilliant story teller. captivating from start to finish. are there any more videos of Julian Glover playing the bard? i would pay for that privilege

[@soslothful]

Right now I'm having mead and would love to sit in that mead hall and listen to the reciting.

[@billkarmetsky4003]

I would be delighted to see a discussion between Prof. Wood and anthropologist Robert Sepehr on those populations who preceeded Britain's arrival of Anglo Saxons, examining the artwork and myths which might reveal who were the original Britons. Very, very, very ancient and may include red haired giants who built the thousand year old relics of Stonehenge and mounts across Ireland.

[@RicTic66]

My Dad's family were from the Fens. The family could trace their ancestors back to as early as the 1500. My Dad would tell tales of 'Black Shuck' and my Auntie Mable had many tales of dark and mysterious goings on out on the Fens. I've been out alone on a misty winters evening deep in the Fen, believe me the atmosphere can be electric and as the light fades strange shapes and shadows appear sending chills up your spine. I was never more grateful to have my old Deer Hound Gandalf by my side.

[@TheSfcinc]

YgraineDance & Seamus o'luaisigh I searched for this video and uploaded it primarily for my colleagues to watch for the English Literature course in order to get more familiar with the topic and the epic itself. I was surprised that people show this much interest for this documentary specificaly. It is Michael Wood obviously :) Glad you like it :)

[@iffysignal8784]

Fantastic documentary!

[@Concetta20]

I like hearing their recitation in early English, it's very musical sounding, it sort of reminds me of Welsh, too.

[@hardwankinman558]

heh i cant kno but it hink if they spoke like this to them 1.5k years ago would prly look at them very strange xD i dont htink they tried to speak this well pronounced this just sounds too modern geeky (bit frothy?) and definetely too sober hah someone should at least do research like for example how just some countryside granpa in rural Saxony speaks at 4 in the forenoon after a night of beering :D im no expert just heard anecdote how evn they dont understand each others accents... oh them exotic continentals, probably spoke more enigmatic than this :D

[@robt3078]

I just saw a Swedish documentary about Beowulf. They think that the original was written in Scandinavia and that the Anglo Sachsen version is a copy of a much older story. Some of the details described in the book can only be done if you’re from Scandinavia, especially how they describe chainmail, the relationship to gold rings and bracelets and other details about the landscapes etc. They compared story content with Swedish Rune stones from the 6th century, gold artifacts, helmets and locations in the Scandinavian landscapes. Also where in Sweden Beowulf must have lived and so forth. It was very interesting.

[@yossariancomplex]

I seen The Shuk when I was a boy playing run-out one winter evening. It walked right past me while I hid under a bush. Eye's red as fire.

[@kc3718]

I was riding across the Peak District, waylaid and late and lost, and down a winding lane a black beast blocked the way , eyes shining, stood straight and faced me, I had nought but to ride past it, for I am from Mercia and we trod on the east Angles in time of Wulfhere. I am Wulfhere !