A Gleeman introduces himself as a minstrel who entertained the courts of England with tales of heroism. Once he came to the court of Redwald at the royal palace of Rendlesham, and sang the story of Beowulf...
The noble king Hrothgar has built a wondrous new mead-hall called Heorot. But his land is plagued by the monster Grendel. Hrothgar has summoned help from the hero, Beowulf, who duly arrives and takes charge.
June 1939: In the countryside near Woodbridge in Suffolk, some children see a large hole being dug. Winnie recognizes Basil Brown, an archaeologist from Ipswich. The land belongs to Mrs Edith Pretty.
Beowulf defeats Grendel through his amazing strength, only to find Grendel's she-mate, who lives at the bottom of a lake, an even more formidable foe. But just as the Thanes despair, Beowulf surfaces, victorious.
July 1939: The archaeological dig has revealed the outlines of a huge ship and attracted the attention of experts from London and Cambridge.
In Heorot a banquet is held in Beowulf's honour and he is presented with royal gifts. In response, he tells the assmbled company to enjoy themselves while they can. The Gleeman does his turn.
August 1939: An inquest is being held to determine ownership of the priceless treasure.
Beowulf returns home, and king Hrothgar succombs to grief, buries the royal treasure and dies. A fiercesome dragon guards the treasure.
Autumn 1939: It is wartime. The children show George, an evacuee from London, where the treasure was found. The inquest held Mrs Pretty to be its rightful owner, but she presented it to the nation. The site is now occupied by the army.
The dragon has laid waste the land, and Beowulf, now an old king, is called upon to rescue his people. He kills the dragon, but not before its fearful venom has fatally wounded the hero. He bids his followers farewell.
1945: The war is ending. George has lost his father, and the children wonder about the futility of war, but also the heroism of those who give up their lives for the sake of their country.
Beowulf is mourned and placed with his treasure in a mighty ship. 'Raise a lament again and again in sorrow for passing times'.
The ship was hauled to high ground, and buried in a vast mound, making a fitting monument for such a noble and beloved king.
And so the Gleeman finishes his story: it is now time to move on...
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