Beowulf

History of the work

Beowulf is the longest English epic poem and one of the oldest survivors. The manuscript in which it was found is generally dated around 1000. Along with Beowulf, the manuscript kept at the British Library collects other works of different ages, united by great exhibitions and creatures. The transcription of the manuscript is made up of two loving monks, each of whom copied about half of the poem. The manuscript belongs to Lawrence Nowell in the 16th century (and is therefore also known as Code Nowell); He later went on to Robert Bruce Cotton in the 17th century, and was injured by a fire in the Cottonian Library in 1731.