ABSTRACT

The later kings, who reigned in Ledra were frequently engaged in war with the Ynlings [sic] of Sweden and with the petty kings of Jutland; and that curious literary monument, the Anglo-Saxon poem of Bjowulf has been supposed to relate to the incidents of these wars. But this supposition is probably founded upon a mistake by which the Jutes, who were, in fact, a Gothic tribe, have been confounded with the Jötnar or primitive inhabitants of Scandinavia, and it has been hence erroneously inferred that they were regarded with implacable animosity by the later Gothic settlers in the Danish isles, as ‘a wicked and gigantic race, of the progeny of Cain, who were exiled in consequence of the sin of their ancestors’ [Conybeare 1826:37, slightly reordered]. But so far from any such permanent hostility having existed in those early times between the insular Gothland and continental Gothland (of which last Jutland made a part,) the old Danish chronicles relate that the Jutes implored assistance from one of the earliest kings of Ledra (Dan) against the Teutonic tribes, and his expedition being successful, he was unanimously elected king of Jutland at Danelyng near Viburg. The poem of Bjowulf is probably a translation or rifaccimento of some older lay, originally written in the ancient language of Denmark. It has perhaps some remote foundation in history, the facts of which have been indistinguishably blended with mythic and poetic fictions of the most wild and romantic character. This heroic poem is full of vivid pictures of life and manners. As a record of ancient opinions, customs and institutions, it is even more instructive than the most full and detailed history of particular events, which we should vainly endeavour to extract from the dim traditions of an unlettered age.