Havelok

'Havelok' is a Middle English romance recounting the legendary tale of Havelok the Dane, a figure of Scandinavian origin who rises from humble beginnings to become king. This anonymous poem, likely composed in the late 13th century, offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval English society, values, and literary tastes. The narrative follows Havelok’s perilous journey, marked by betrayal, hardship, and eventual triumph. Orphaned and facing treachery, he is sent to England where he works as a kitchen servant. Through his strength, courage, and noble character, Havelok gradually uncovers his true identity and reclaims his birthright, ultimately restoring justice and order to both England and Denmark. 'Havelok' is significant for its vivid depiction of everyday life in medieval England, its exploration of themes such as justice, loyalty, and the importance of lineage, and its enduring appeal as a captivating story of adventure and heroism. Its accessibility and engaging plot make it a valuable resource for students and scholars of medieval literature and history.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.