Check out this online course being taught by our friend Peter Grubauskas, running in August through the Politics and Prose bookshop in DC:

A one-act play in verse, a famous essay on heroism, and a strand of the DNA of The Lord of the Rings—all can be traced back to Tolkien’s lifelong study of "The Battle of Maldon", a fragment of Old English poetry chronicling a disastrous English defeat in the summer of 991. This class will trace Tolkien’s responses to the poem, both creative and critical: from his 1930s translation of the original poem; to his 1953 “sequel” play, "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth"; and finally, to the many ways in which Maldon colors and seasons his famous fantasy fiction. Discussion is encouraged after—and during—each lecture.

Lecture and Discussion. Online live class, will be recorded and available for later viewing.

Three Sundays: August 6, 13, 20, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET Online

More information and to purchase tickets: https://www.politics-prose.com/class/o ... and-battle-of-maldon-2377