Series resources
Beowulf - watch the complete animation (16' 39")
Sequencing activity. document
Sequence the events of the story in the correct order (pdf)
Word search puzzle. document
Download / print the word search puzzle (pdf)
Episode 1
Song: 'Grendel'
Hrothgar the KingWas proud of his achievementsWanted the world to know of his nameBuilt a great hall and named it HeorotA powerful symbol of his wealth and fame.
And there was singingAnd dancingAnd lots of joyful celebratingAs Hrothgar watched his eyes began to shine‘No one’s going to spoil…this party of mine!’
But out on the moorsSomeone wasn’t invitedGrendel the monster awoke in a rageHearing the noise of all the happy celebrationsHe let out a roar of fury and pain!
And when the guests were asleepGrendel rose from the deepGreedy and grim, gruesome and tallHe attacked and ransackedHrothgar’s mead hall!
Mighty King, what shall we do?Broken, stunned and shocked are we,Numb with grief, for what we’ve lost.Heorot is no longer free.
News of the crime reached the ears of BeowulfKing of the Geats, he was handsome and strongEager to help, he crossed the sea in a long boatTook a troop of his best warriors along.
‘Can we stay the night?Give that fiend a fright!’Music and laughter filled the night airUntil it reached Grendel…Wide awake in his lair!
Illustrated transcript. document
Download / print the illustrated transcript (pdf)
Line drawing - Heorot. document
Download / print A4 line drawing of Heorot (pdf)
Episode 2
Song: 'Beowulf's song'
‘Hrothgar, your highness,What can we do?We’ve sailed across the oceanIn our longboat to help you!
Hrothgar, your highness,Great leader of the DanesWe need to be preparedFor when the monster strikes again!
So tonight we’ll have a celebrationThen pretend to go to sleepAnd Grendel’s bound to hear all the commotionAnd rise up from the deep.
Hrothgar, your highness,I’ve heard about your plightHow your great hall, Heorot,Lies empty every night.
Hrothgar your highness,I’ve come to your defenceI’m a match for GrendelWith my superhuman strength!
So tonight we’ll have a celebrationThen pretend to go to sleepAnd Grendel’s bound to hear all the commotionAnd rise up from the deep.
Hrothgar, your highness,There’s no need to take flightWe’re ready for the monsterWe’re ready for the fight!
Hrothgar, your highness,Take my sword and shieldHand to hand is how I’ll fightMy strength will make him yield!
So tonight we’ll have a celebrationThen pretend to go to sleepAnd Grendel’s bound to hear all the commotionAnd rise up from the deep.’
Sure enough, as Beowulf saidJust that very nightGrendel burst into the hallA truly loathsome sight!
Beowulf’s men drew their swordsBut they fought in vainNo earthly blade, from blacksmith made,Could the monster slay!
Beowulf leapt onto the backOf his mighty foeGrendel swung him round and roundBut he would not let go!
He gripped so hardThat Grendel screamedIn panic and alarmHe wrenched free from the hero’s graspBut Beowulf kept his arm!
Illustrated transcript. document
Download / print the illustrated transcript (pdf)
Line drawing - King Hrothgar. document
Download / print A4 line drawing of King Hrothgar (pdf)
Episode 3
Song: 'The revenge of Grendel's mother'
Joyful celebrations ring out in the cold night airGrendel the monster is dead and goneBut something still lurks out there…
That night in the swamp a monster was prowlingAnother great troll, fearsome and tallFull of revenge for the loss of her sonGrendel’s mother approached the hall.
Who killed my son?Who killed my son?I will thrash him and beat him!And crush him! Defeat him!Who killed my son?
With a great roar, she entered the hallKilled all the soldiers asleep in her in her pathBeowulf awoke to see her departingFollowed her back to her home in the marsh.
Who killed my son?Who killed my son?I will thrash him and beat him!And crush him! Defeat him!Who killed my son?
Beowulf put on his helmet and armourTook a deep breath, knew he had to be braveJumped into the bog of murky green waterFearlessly swam till he came to a cave.
Who killed my son?Who killed my son?I will thrash him and beat him!And crush him! Defeat him!Who killed my son?
Out of the shadows rushed Grendel’s motherBlazing with fury she let out a cryBeowulf discovered his own sword was powerlessSummoned his strength and cast it aside.
You killed my son!You killed my son!I will thrash you and beat you!And crush you! Defeat you!You killed my son!
Beowulf looked round, desperately searchingKnew in a moment that he would be deadGrabbed the troll’s swordSwung it round blindlyLifted it high…And cut off her head!
You killed my son…You killed my son…
Joyful celebrations ring out in the cold night airAnd now nothing lurksOut in the marsh anymore.
Illustrated transcript. document
Download / print the illustrated transcript (pdf)
Line drawing - Grendel's mother. document
Download / print A4 line drawing of Grendel's mother (pdf)
Episodes
Beowulf - Episode 1. video
King Hrothgar and his people are attacked by the monster, Grendel
Beowulf - Episode 2. video
Beowulf arrives in Denmark with his warriors to fight with Grendel
Beowulf - Episode 3. video
Beowulf has defeated Grendel but now he must battle Grendel's mother
See also...
KS2 Music / History: The Anglo-Saxons. collection
Explore the Anglo-Saxons, including Beowulf, in our Music section
