The Vigil of Brunhild: A Narrative Poem

Name: The Vigil of Brunhild: A Narrative Poem
Author: Frederic Manning

By Frederic Manning

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History - Medieval/Middle Ages Mythology, Legends & Folklore Poetry

About This Book

The poem presents a fallen queen confined in a squalid cell as she awaits a humiliating death, and unfolds as a series of inward visions and recollections. A priest visits to offer shrift, prompting the queen to revisit memories of courtly splendour, martial passion, love, motherhood, ambition, and bitter rivalries. Through elegiac imagery and dramatic monologue she alternates defiance and introspection, weighing the exhilaration of power and violence against regret and spiritual renunciation. The narrative explores themes of female agency, the cost of ambition, memory’s transfiguration of past deeds, and the tension between worldly glory and the promise of peace.

About the Author

Frederic Manning

Frederic Manning was an English poet and novelist known for his vivid and introspective writing style. His notable works include "Eidola," a collection that explores themes of perception and reality, and "The Vigil of Brunhild," a narrative poem that reflects his interest in myth and history. Manning's poetry often captures the nuances of human experience, blending personal reflection with broader cultural observations. His contributions to literature, particularly in the early 20th century, have earned him a place in the literary heritage of his time.