The Legend of Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon/Germanic Mythology and ASMR for Sleep

For tonight, I retell you the story of Beowulf, the famous Anglo-Saxon epic poem put in writing in Old English at the turn of the Second Millenium but probably older. Beyond the story itself, what does Beowulf tells us of its time, the population of England, the emergence of the English language, or the society that produced it? And what was its influence on modern Fantasy, starting with the work of JRR Tolkien?

Credits: Script and narration by the French Whisperer, visuals by the French Whisperer, under Wikipedia Commons, or under license from Panthermedia, Canstock, Shutterstock and Freepik. Sound effects and music from the YouTube Audio Library for Creators.

Links to Lights Out Library: my stories retold in American English by Olimpia.

Links para la Biblioteca de los Sueños: mis historias contadas por Olimpia en español con acento mexicano:

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Slumber is a sleep and relaxation app that offers stories to fall asleep to from a variety of narrators, with sounds effects you can customize in the background, as well as meditations and ambient soundtracks. This link gives you 30 days of free trial instead of the usual 7 days. If you have trouble using the link, you need to install the app first, close it, then click on the link. I have an affiliate agreement with Slumber and this is a paid promotion in case you become a paying user after the trial.

Aura is an app for meditation, coaching and sleep, which offers a customized experience to help you improve on your priorities (anxiety relief, better sleep...). I am a contributor to it with sleep stories. This link gives you 30 days of free trial instead of the usual 7 days. I have an affiliate agreement with Aura and this is a paid promotion in case you become a paying user after the trial.

Music streaming platforms: look up on your favourite site, I am probably on it and the library of available stories is growing every week!

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Timestamps:
0:00 Grendel (Story)
10:38 Make Yourself Comfortable
13:10 Grendel's Mother (Story)
20:11 Anglo-Saxon England
26:53 Old English
39:07 The Dragon (Story)
44:15 Beowulf, Tolkien and Fantasy
51:15 Pagan or Christian Work?
1:01:01 A Disappeared World
1:05:00 Rain Sounds, No Talking

[TheFrenchWhispererASMR]

Timestamps:
0:00 Grendel (Story)
10:38 Make Yourself Comfortable
13:10 Grendel's Mother (Story)
20:11 Anglo-Saxon England
26:53 Old English
39:07 The Dragon (Story)
44:15 Beowulf, Tolkien and Fantasy
51:15 Pagan or Christian Work?
1:01:01 A Disappeared World
1:05:00 Rain Sounds, No Talking


Links to Lights Out Library: my stories retold in American English by Olimpia.

Links para la Biblioteca de los Sueños: mis historias contadas por Olimpia en español con acento mexicano.

[heatherwoods]

It's hours till my bed time yet but I'm going to listen now and then again to night. I'm sure we'll never meet but your calm, intelligent, and well written stories have changed my life for the better. You never know who you'll reach but I'll bet it's going to be amazing when you do n

[castillogrande]

As someone with noisy neighbors, all I have to say is I emptahize with Grendel more than anyone else in this story

[jennifernorman]

My son studied Beowulf at school, so I've added this to our Anglo Saxon playlist. Thank you 😊

[Dayoldcoffeex]

Thank you for this!! I studied Beowulf and the Old English language extensively as part of my degree in English Literature, concentrating on Medieval Literature. As I've learned more about Norse mythology, it's so interesting to see how elements of that as well as broader European mythologies appear in the manuscript. What I wouldn't give to have other manuscripts of the Beowulf legend to see how contemporaries viewed the story and how it changed over time!

[dariialysiuk]

I am going to bed right now to go to an Old English seminar on Beowulf tomorrow, only to discover that this came out four hours ago. Didn't expect to do any more revision but here we are 😅

[HaintblueRee]

This is how I prefer to learn about Beowulf vs sitting in a hard plastic chair, at desk with the brightest yet dullest lights illuminating the room, in a classroom whose thermostat is set to arctic.

[maryhitchcock-nnnm]

Wow finally a new podcast. I love the beowulf story; so interesting. Thank you so so very much !

[MuselessAngel]

I looove the story of Beowulf and Grendel. So happy to tune in tonight ❤

[octokok]

Funny how he tells us to release the tension from our shoulders shortly after describing Beowulf ripping the monster's arm from its shoulder.

[kdbrown]

I love to listen to these types of stories while I relax before bed. You perfectly blend history, culture, storytelling, and relaxing ASMR - thank you!

[maryhitchcock-nnnm]

Wow 36min in and the scholarship is astonishing— thorough. Such respect!

[littlecatfeet]

Can’t wait for this tonight ❤. Read Beowulf at school and actually loved it so this will be a treat.

[portalsandpathways]

Can’t sleep due to the time change but I saw this and immediately relaxed. Thank you for the gift of sleep 🫶

[ChiepShaguerre]

He is back with great historical stuff. Finally ❤

[LiftingStress]

One of my favorite mythologies. I'm going to sleep abundantly well. Thank you FW for your soothing voice and we'll crafted content. ❤

[fjLKA]

Where does he get so many knick-knacks?

[tothestarz]

Yay! Thank you so much! Just in time for my Sunday afternoon respite.

[FerroLux]

Hi! If I may, I’d have a suggestion for a future video: the history of writing I think is extremely fascinating and I think it would work well for your type of content

[hattorihanzo]

Great video. I've listened to portions read in Old English. Reminds me of a Scandinavian language. Recently purchased 3 different translations of Beowulf. Curious to see how the differ.