It is my opinion this video is one of your best. J. R. Tolkien took part in the Battle of The Somme. The description of the Battle of Helm’s Deep seems to include some of his experiences on the Somme (see John Garth’s J. R. Tolkien And The Great War: The Threshold Of Middle Earth). The conclusion of the Battle of Hasting was bad luck for all of us. Though victorious, King Harold’s army had been battered at Stamford Bridge. A battered army is what King Harold brought to Hastings. William of Normandy was a piece of work. He owed his victory to luck more than skill. Hasting was a close-run thing. Oh, John Gardner’s Grendel is a partial retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist.
Thank you! I was happy with the way the video turned out. I’d heard about Tolkien’s experiences at the Somme showing up in different parts of the story-Dead Marshes, etc-but didn’t know more ins and outs of Hastings. Appreciate the feedback.
Thanks, a very helpful and informative lecture for the LotR fan.
Glad you find it interesting too!
It is my opinion this video is one of your best. J. R. Tolkien took part in the Battle of The Somme. The description of the Battle of Helm’s Deep seems to include some of his experiences on the Somme (see John Garth’s J. R. Tolkien And The Great War: The Threshold Of Middle Earth). The conclusion of the Battle of Hasting was bad luck for all of us. Though victorious, King Harold’s army had been battered at Stamford Bridge. A battered army is what King Harold brought to Hastings. William of Normandy was a piece of work. He owed his victory to luck more than skill. Hasting was a close-run thing. Oh, John Gardner’s Grendel is a partial retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist.
Thank you! I was happy with the way the video turned out. I’d heard about Tolkien’s experiences at the Somme showing up in different parts of the story-Dead Marshes, etc-but didn’t know more ins and outs of Hastings. Appreciate the feedback.