In 1731, the original manuscript that the movie is based on was severely damaged by fire, along with several other medieval writings, in London UK.
An on-screen title sets the Prologue in "500 a.d." King Clovis the Frank is later referred to as being dead "10 years now." Clovis I died on November 27, 511, making the rest of the film circa the year 521.
Tony Curran appeared in The 13th Warrior, which was also a retelling of Beowulf's fight with Grendel.