The Battle of Brunanburgh

Today's poem - and I've been saving this up for just the right day - was inspired by Doctor Who "Planet of the Dead", which I watched last night. In this episode, a priceless golden chalice is stolen from the International Museum; it's called the Cup of Athelstan.

This poem is about Athelstan, King of England, 925-939. In 937 he fought the Battle of Brunanburh and his poets wrote about it. A thousand years later, Tennyson wrote his own version, which I am told isn't really a translation, but a variation of Tennyson's own, based on the Anglo-Saxon poem. I discovered this when I was going through years of Anglo-Saxon obsession inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, and it's always been a favourite.

The poem doesn't mention a cup, but I'm sure the bracelet-bestower had a lovely one. Hwaet.

The Battle Of Brunanburgh

Athelstan King,
Lord among Earls,
Bracelet-bestower and
Baron of Barons,
He with his brother,
Edmund Atheling,
Gaining a lifelong
Glory in battle,
Slew with the sword-edge
There by Brunanburh,
Brake the shield-wall,
Hew'd the lindenwood,
Hack'd the battleshield,
Sons of Edward with hammer'd brands.

( Theirs was a greatness... )

Writer's Block: Gamer's Choice

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Solitaire. The first day I had my first computer, I spent hours playing solitaire.

Things haven't changed much. I still don't particularly like video-games, though I enjoyed "Riven" and "Myst".

Doctor Who Spoilers and Speculation...

We all know I don't usually do spoilers. But at the moment, I can't resist. The item on the Sci-Fi web page led me to Dark Horizons, which said ( Adding much fuel to the talk... )

FIC: Torchwood (drabble) - Resurrection

Title: Lockdown
Author: fajrdrako
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack/Ianto
Challenge: tw100, challenge: resurrection
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for Torchwood episode 1x04, "Cyberwoman". Cross-posted to my lj, and to tw100.

(  Lockdown )