“But this is about Vikings. Shouldn’t we be studying this with Mr Gale in history?” asked Neiram, during one of our first lessons on Beowulf.
It was a good question, and positive to see that our students were already making links between the different disciplines. As much as possible, we try to ensure our subjects complement each other across the curriculum, to give the students a fuller and more holistic understanding of the world.
Beowulf is an epic poem, considered one of the most important pieces of English literature. It is a Viking story set in Scandinavia, but first told in England somewhere between 700 and 1000 AD. As such, it gives us a valuable insight into English history and the beliefs and traditions of the Viking hordes that were invading and settling England at that time. It is both a literary and a historical document of great significance
So far, the students have studied alliteration, kennings, caesura and how English has many words of Germanic origin. We are just about to study how Viking ideas of honour and society are reflected in the poem. To paraphrase Neiram, this marries well with the current history lessons delivered by Mr Gale, who is teaching the students about Viking history and lifestyle. His geography lessons, too, touch on Viking settlements and voyages, rounding off a comprehensive study of their culture.
In the coming days, the students of Year 7 will be asked to create an Anglo-Saxon poem, doing what Vikings like to do best: boasting about how great they are, and how great their parents are. Modern ideas of modesty were non-existent in the macho, adventurous world of the Vikings, where a man was judged by his deeds, voyages, adventures and exploits, as well as those of his ancestors.
I look forward to reading them, to find out more about my newest English class, and to learn about their parents, who clearly must be great people if their children are any indicator.