What was J.R.R. Tolkien’s first published poem in the English language?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s first published English-language poem was “The Battle of the Eastern Field.”

The poem appeared in 1911 in the school magazine of King Edward’s School in Birmingham, where Tolkien was a pupil. It was inspired by the Battle of Maldon, an Old English poem describing a conflict between an English force and Viking raiders in 991.

Tolkien’s early poetry already showed his interest in heroic legend, historical language, and the literary traditions of northern Europe. Those interests later became important elements of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

The poem should not be confused with Tolkien’s later collections or with his many posthumously published works. “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil” is a 1962 collection, while “The Sea-Bell” first appeared much later in Tolkien’s career.