Grendel prowled in, hating all men and all joy and hungry for human life. So swift was his attack that no man heard an outcry; but when the dawn came, thirty of Hothgar's best and noblest thanes were missing. Only Beowulf, foremost among warriors, has the strength and courage to battle with Grendel the Night-stalker. In this thrilling re-telling of the Anglo-Saxon legend, Rosemary Sutcliff recounts Beowulf's most terrifying quests: against Grendel the man-wolf, against the hideous sea-hag and, most courageous of all - his fight to the death with the monstrous fire-drake.
There are 96 pages in this book. This book was published 2001 by Random House Children's Publishers UK .
Charles Keeping was the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal. Rosemary Sutcliff has written many historical novels for children. The Lantern Bearers won the Carnegie Medal. Rosemary Sutcliff received an OBE in 1975 and in 1993, the year after her death, was awarded the CBE.
This book contains the following story:
Beowulf
For 12 years, an ogre named Grendel has menaced King Hrothgar, raiding his mead-hall and killing his men. Beowulf, a young warrior from neighbouring Geatland, comes to the king's aid, bringing with him 14 of his men. Beowulf and the Geats bed down in the mead-hall to wait for Grendel and in the ensuing battle, the monster is mortally wounded. The following day Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son, but Beowulf persues and kills her.