The Lay of Havelok the Dane is a medieval romance poem that tells the story of Havelok, a young Danish orphan who is raised in England and eventually becomes king. The poem is believed to have been written in the late 13th century and is one of the earliest examples of English literature that features a Danish hero.The poem opens with the story of Havelok’s parents, the Danish king Birkabeyn and his queen, who are murdered by their advisor, Godrich. Havelok is then sent to England, where he is raised by a fisherman named Grim and his wife. As he grows up, Havelok discovers his true identity and sets out to reclaim his rightful place as king of Denmark.The Lay of Havelok the Dane is filled with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, and is written in a style that is both poetic and accessible. The poem has been studied and admired by scholars and readers alike for its vivid descriptions of medieval life, its complex characters, and its timeless themes. This edition of the poem is edited and translated by Walter William Skeat, a renowned scholar of Middle English literature, and includes helpful notes and commentary to aid readers in understanding the text.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.