Beorhtnoth at Maldon ~ Gandalf at Khazaddûm - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 12-06-2007, 08:54 PM

I read an article about this and it seems like the theory works. Some of you may know of a play/poem Tolkien wrote entitled The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son. In it, two liegemen of lord Beorhtnoth, find the body of their fallen lord and bring it home. The Danes have defeated Beorhtnoth and his men at the Battle of Maldon. The ensuing talk between the two liegemen is a discussion of the wisdom of Beorhtnoth in letting the Danes cross the Maldon bridge. Beorhtnoth and his men have held off the Danes all day, and the Danes switch strategies; instead of trying to use main force, which hasn't worked, they try to persuade Beorhtnoth to give them a fighting chance as a chivalrous hero. Beorhtnoth allows them the bridge in a gamely show of chivalric heroism; or as Tolkien would say, foolish pride. And the Danes slaughter them all.

Gandalf faces the Balrog at Khazaddûm and does not let it pass. Is this Tolkien's answer to the Battle of Maldon? If so, what is he saying?

Is chivalry good, bad, or a mixed bag? Are there other characters in Tolkien's writings whose actions and decisions touch upon this issue? How so?

12-06-2007, 08:54 PM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Beorhtnoth at Maldon ~ Gandalf at Khazaddûm I read an article about this and it seems like the theory works. Some of you may know of a play/poem Tolkien wrote entitled The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son. In it, two liegemen of lord Beorhtnoth, find the body of their fallen lord and bring it home. The Danes have defeated Beorhtnoth and his men at the Battle of Maldon. The ensuing talk between the two liegemen is a discussion of the wisdom of Beorhtnoth in letting the Danes cross the Maldon bridge. Beorhtnoth and his men have held off the Danes all day, and the Danes switch strategies; instead of trying to use main force, which hasn't worked, they try to persuade Beorhtnoth to give them a fighting chance as a chivalrous hero. Beorhtnoth allows them the bridge in a gamely show of chivalric heroism; or as Tolkien would say, foolish pride. And the Danes slaughter them all. Gandalf faces the Balrog at Khazaddûm and does not let it pass. Is this Tolkien's answer to the Battle of Maldon? If so, what is he saying? Is chivalry good, bad, or a mixed bag? Are there other characters in Tolkien's writings whose actions and decisions touch upon this issue? How so? Last edited by littlemanpoet; 12-07-2007 at 04:28 AM.