Beowulf: A Historical Masterpiece Written in approximately 750 A.D., Beowulf is the only remaining transcript of the 10th century. Even before it was written though, it had been circulated though it’s original oral narrative. Many of the events and characters tie to battles and actual figures in history that pre-date the Anglo-Saxon invasion in 450 A.D. Though originally pagan in nature, due to the Anglo-Saxon conversion to Christianity Beowulf was told through a Christian poet. The poet does reference to biblical thoughts and ideas, it’s mixed within the basic Anglo-Saxon principle. Which is pretty impressive. The fact that one can use Beowulf as a way to look at and understand the Anglo-Saxon culture, which may have been lost without it, is an historical feet all on its own. The values shown in the characters in Beowulf are the same values the Anglo-Saxon had. When it came to the values of the warrior class, it’s especially similar. Beowulf is in a sense the quintessential Anglo-Saxon warrior. Warriors at that time were first and foremost loyal to his people and his thane. A warrior was also brave and valorous. Without these what kind of warrior would one be? The warrior had to be courageous to go out to battle without certainty of coming home. Along with courage, a warrior also had to be proud. Not too proud as to offend the thane or his lady, just enough to make him seem worthwhile. Strength was a very sought after trait in a warrior. Strength was so highly viewed in the world of Beowulf it, like seen in line 196-198. One of Hrothgar's horsemen described Beowulf as he arrived at the land of the Danes to help them defeat the demon that was attacking them:
“There was no one else like him alive.
In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth,
Highborn and powerful.” Surprisingly the values of women, mostly a queen, were talked about in the heroic eulogy.