Beowulf Author:Burton Raffel SONG OF WARS AND KINGS Beowulf is the earliest extant poem in a modern European language. I was composed in England four centuries before the Norman Conquest. As a social document this great epic poem is invaluable-reflecting feudal, newly Christian world of heros and monsters, blood and victory and death. As awork of art it is quite uniqu... more »e; Beowulf rings with beauty, power, and artistry that have kept it alive for more than twelve centuries.« less