Beowulf: An Illuminated Wonder Tale
A magnificent new edition of the epic poem Beowulf, illustrated and bound in the legendary style of the Book of Kells
Shenandoah, VA – 5 Jan. 2024 – Joel Trumbo, founder of Tamburn Bindery, announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to produce the first illuminated manuscript edition of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, one of the earliest classics of English literature. Drawing from the mesmerizing artistic forms of the early Viking Age, familiar to many from the iconic illuminations of the Book of Kells, this edition will solidly ground the tale in the vibrant aesthetic of the heroic age which produced it.
Nearly a century ago, J.R.R. Tolkien published an essay called “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics” that almost single-handedly rekindled scholarly and popular interest in this ancient wonder-tale of Anglo-Saxon England. Since then, Beowulf has become a staple of high-school English classes and Anglo-Saxon historical studies and has undergone numerous translations that re-present the classic Germanic poetry into modern English prose or poetry, depending on the intent of the translator.
Full of feasting and fighting, trolls and treachery, dragons and death-songs, Beowulf was always an exciting and easy class for Joel Trumbo in teaching Medieval literature to high school boys. He says, “It was, in fact, the tale that first inspired me to try my hand at early Insular illuminated manuscript art. At age 12 I sat in with a high school class my father was teaching that was an introduction to Old English language and the study of the Beowulf poem. I was studying the early Medieval period as a homeschooler at the same time and was captivated by those works of the great Irish and Anglo-Saxon masters like the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels. As my imagination was captured listening to the humming chant of Old English in the Beowulf poem, I thought ‘this story should be illuminated just like the old Gospel books, full of knotwork and spiraling dragons and beasts!’. So I did. I began then, as a 12-year-old, practicing and learning the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon art forms and composing art designs and historical hand-scripts to accompany the poem. I reworked these designs here and there over the years, almost like a sporadic personal hobby, all the way until I got out of the military, when I completed an early version of the illuminated poem.”
The great illuminated Gospel books of the 8th and 9th centuries are generally lumped under the "Celtic" style since some of the finest work resided in and was possibly created in Ireland, such as the Book of Kells. However, Anglo-Saxon England was a leader at the time for the quality and artistry of their illuminated texts. Thus, the signature artistic style of Insular manuscripts may equally be called "Anglo-Saxon" as it may be called "Celtic"; there was much overlap and artistic common ground, which drew on significantly older art forms evident throughout Gaelic and Germanic regions.
These cultural art forms are replete with vivid spiral and knotwork patterns, twisting birds, plants, and beasts of all kinds, as well as unique display capital letters that are strongly reminiscent of older rune forms. The ancient illuminated pages would often be packed with decoration, exploding in rich color and detail that is quite unparalleled. The Anglo-Saxon epic of Beowulf was likely composed (or at least written down) around the same time as the Lindisfarne Gospels of northern England, so this is the style that will be informing all of the art and design that goes into this project, along with elements from metal-worked treasure troves like the Sutton Hoo hoard.
“This Kickstarter is about the fruition of that project that began 25 years ago for me – creating a volume of this classic of English literature in a visual style that resonates with the deepest and most magical imagination of the age that produced it – twining serpents and colorful knots and spirals, runic inscriptions and geometric engraving patterns, all telling the tale that should seem as alive on the page as it does in the imagination. This project is about sharing that wonder and imagination, inviting the reader to truly feel like they’re holding something magical in their hands as they read it. I want others to experience the story as I did, not just as another archaic academic text to trudge through but a wonder tale drawn forth from the deep roots of a rich heritage – a fascinating tale of boldness, generosity, loyalty, and enterprise that weaves together the imaginations of the newly Christianized Anglo-Saxons with the older legendary tropes of the pre-Christian Germanic world in a uniquely seamless tapestry.” says Joel Trumbo, the project designer.
Launched January 5, this opportunity to claim a unique treasure of a book will be available until February 4.
“This is definitely worth supporting!” says Jonathan Pageau of The Symbolic World Podcast.
Support and follow this epic project by following this link: Beowulf Kickstarter
Follow Joel Trumbo on his Instagram: @Tamburnbindery
