Final answer:
Beowulf was penned during the Old English period, 450-1066 A.D, in an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that valued learning and culture. This transition from oral to written stories was part of a broader trend during this historical era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story of Beowulf, which is an epic tale typical of the Anglo-Saxon period, was written down sometime during Old English times, specifically between 450 to 1066 A.D.
The culture of this era largely relied on oral tradition to pass down stories and histories, a method also common in other regions as exemplified by works such as Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, and the Epic of Gilgamesh. It was within the context of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom where learning and culture flourished, leading to written literature like Beowulf. This heroic poem honors feats of strength and valor, key components of epic hero narratives.
The practice of embedding oral histories into written form became more prevalent as societies moved towards greater documentation and preservation of their cultural heritages.