The longest surviving poem written in Old English, Beowulf has existed for
around 1,000 to 1,300 years, making it possibly older than The Royal Mint.
A key text in English literature, this epic poem’s characters now feature on
bullion coins as part of our Myths and Legends Collection.
Beowulf: A Legendary Warrior
Based in the early sixth century, the beginning of the poem sees Beowulf as a young prince of the Geats (people from southern Sweden). He sets off for Denmark to help King Hrothgar save his people from the swamp monster Grendel, who is terrorising them and dragging them into the swamp. As a character, Beowulf serves as an allegory for the triumph of light and goodness over darkness and evil. A fearless warrior, his journey takes him from prince to king through many trials and challenges.
Grendel, the Swamp Monster
The first enemy Beowulf encounters in the poem is Grendel, a terrible and fearsome swamp monster said to have descended from the biblical Cain. Outcast and doomed to walk the earth, Grendel takes revenge on the humans he comes across, often eating them. In the battle, Grendel begins by eating one of Beowulf’s soldiers whilst he is sleeping. In retaliation, Beowulf grips one of Grendel’s hands so tightly that the swamp monster is only able to free himself once his arm was ripped from his shoulder. Defeated, the once fearsome Grendel retreats to his swamp and dies.
Grendel’s Mother
The second terrifying monster Beowulf encounters is Grendel’s mother, seeking revenge for the death of her son. Associated with the water, Grendel’s mother is said to live in a cave underneath a lake. She begins her revenge by killing King Hrothgar’s loyal assistant. After the murder, Beowulf and a team of soldiers track the creature to her lair. Beowulf then ventures into the cave, begins to battle with Grendel’s mother and nearly dies in the fight. By chance, he finds an ancient sword and decapitates the monster. Taking her head as a trophy, the once relatively unknown prince has now fully established himself as a mighty warrior, worthy of admiration, loyalty and respect.
The Dragon
The final battle in the poem is between Beowulf and the dragon, a test that comes 50 years after the first two fights in the story. Having returned home as the King of the Geats, Beowulf has enjoyed half a century of peace. Enraged by one of Beowulf’s subjects, who has stolen a golden cup from its lair, the dragon attacks and ruthlessly burns the homes of the Geats. Much older but just as brave, Beowulf attacks the dragon, but the fight is slow and tiring. Assisted by a young kinsman named Wiglaf, Beowulf defeats the dragon but is mortally wounded in the battle. Before he dies, Beowulf names Wiglaf as his successor.
The tale of Beowulf and his enemies now features on new bullion coins as part of our Myths and Legends Collection. The new reverse designs focus on the battles between Beowulf and Grendel, Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, and Beowulf and the dragon.
