The first part of the Anglo-Saxon story of Beowulf.
Video: Beowulf - Part 1
Storyteller: Many years ago in the land of Denmark, Lord Hrothgar was king. Hrothgar was rich and powerful and he was a good ruler who cared for his people. One day he announced:
Hrothgar: I am going to build a great hall where all my people can meet together - to eat and drink and be happy! Work will start immediately!
FX: Cheering
Storyteller: For two years Hrothgar’s builders worked to complete the hall and when it was finished everyone agreed that it was the biggest and most beautiful building they had ever seen.
Hrothgar: Today I name this great hall Heorot. Tonight there will be a feast. It will be the first of many to be held in our fine new building. All are welcome!
FX: A great feast
Storyteller: Heorot was full that night. The people ate and drank. They told stories. They sang and they laughed and they were happy. But not everyone in Denmark was happy that night. Out on the dark moors a creature was slowly moving towards Heorot. A creature full of hatred. A monster driven by evil: Grendel.
Grendel: Listen to the humans. When I hear the humans laughing I want to crush their bones! They won’t be laughing soon… Grendel is coming. Grendel will stop the laughing…
Storyteller: Inside Heorot everything became quiet as the people slept. Grendel stood outside the great hall and sniffed the air. Then he lifted his huge fist and smashed the great door to pieces -
FX: Explosion of splintering wood
Storyteller: - and the next moment he was inside.
FX: Grendel’s roaring. Then silence. Later in the same location…
Hrothgar: Tell me the worst. How many?
Thane: My Lord…
Hrothgar: How many has the creature killed?
Thane: Thirty, my Lord.
Hrothgar: Thirty.
Thane: Yes, my Lord.
Hrothgar: Now it has attacked once it is sure to return. Make ready for tonight. Build barricades and strengthen the great door. Tell all our thanes to sharpen their swords and dress themselves in armour. When the monster returns we will be ready!
Storyteller: Hrothgar was right.
FX: The approach of Grendel heard from inside Heorot
Storyteller: That night Grendel did return. The fighting men of Heorot could hear the monster as he came closer and closer. There was a moment of silence, then suddenly -
FX: Wood splintering
Storyteller: - the great door was once again smashed to pieces. The Danes fought bravely but their swords and spears could not pierce Grendel’s skin.
Grendel: Fools! I am too strong for you! But this is just the start. I will attack again and again!
Storyteller: News of the terrifying creature spread far and wide until it reached Geatland, home of a prince called Beowulf. As soon as Beowulf heard about Grendel he went to his king, Hygelac…
Beowulf: My Lord, every night our friends in Denmark are attacked by this cruel monster. It has to stop! I will sail to Denmark and kill the creature.
Hygelac: Beowulf, you are bravest and the strongest of us all, but even you will be no match for Grendel. If you go Denmark the creature will kill you and we will never see you again. Forget this idea. It’s too dangerous.
Beowulf: My Lord, I am not afraid. Maybe this monster will be too strong for me. Maybe he will kill me. But I have to try. I have to do my best.
Hygelac: If you must go to Denmark then go with our blessing. I will give you my fastest ship and fourteen of our bravest thanes. Travel safely, Beowulf. May the gods protect you!
Storyteller: And so the next morning, Beowulf and fourteen of Geatland’s fiercest warriors set sail for Denmark. And the people who gathered on the shore to watch them depart wondered if they would ever see them again.
4. Beowulf - Part one
Ensure you watch the Beowulf drama to assess its suitability before sharing with your group.
Hrothgar - King of the Danes - announces he is to build a new mead hall where his people can come together to celebrate. Construction takes two years but when the hall - called Heorot - is finally finished everyone agrees it is the most magnificent building.
That night there is a feast to celebrate. But out on the moor a monster is approaching - Grendel. Grendel breaks down the door of the hall and slaughters 30 of those inside, before escaping. He returns the following night and the carnage continues…night after night.
Overseas in Geatland, a prince called Beowulf hears of the plight of the Danes. He goes to his own king - Hygelac - and asks permission to sale to Denmark to help Hrothgar against the monster.
Resources
Illustrated transcript. document
Download / print the illustrated transcript (pdf)
Song: 'Grendel' (Vocal)
Hrothgar the King
Was proud of his achievements
Wanted the world to know of his name
Built a great hall and named it Heorot
A powerful symbol of his wealth and fame.
And there was singing
And dancing
And lots of joyful celebrating
As Hrothgar watched his eyes began to shine
‘No one’s going to spoil…this party of mine!’
But out on the moors
Someone wasn’t invited
Grendel the monster
Awoke in a rage
Hearing the noise of all the happy celebrations
He let out a roar of fury and pain!
And when the guests were asleep
Grendel rose from the deep
Greedy and grim, gruesome and tall
He attacked and ransacked
Hrothgar’s mead hall!
Part 1
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.
Part 2
Twelve winters passed…
News of the crime reached the ears of Beowulf
King of the Geats, he was handsome and strong
Eager to help, he crossed the sea in a long boat
Took a troop of his best warriors along.
‘Can we stay the night?
Give that fiend a fright!’
Music and laughter filled the night air
Until it reached Grendel…
Wide awake in his lair!
Sequencing activity. document
Sequence the events of the story in the correct order (pdf)
More from this series
3. Athelstan - first king of England? video
The reign of Athelstan - often considered the first true king of all England.
5. Beowulf - Part two. video
Beowulf arrives in Denmark with his warriors, ready to fight the monster Grendel.
6. Beowulf - Part three. video
Beowulf tracks Grendel's mother to an underwater cave to do battle with her.
