I've just now finished the first chapter. Really thoughtful work and considered analysis. I wouldn't call this a "fannish essay" at all.
I do, however, have one question. I don't see any named discussion of Tolkien's essay "Ofermod" which accompanies "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's . I don't have your edition so I cannot check the endnotes to see if you are referring to it in your discussion of Northern courage, but I wonder why you don't formally mention the essay.It is quite a significant essay since it opened to interpretation the meaning of "oftermod" in the 'Maldon' poem in Old English studies.
I hope I'm not being pedantic!
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
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