Colloquy. Understanding Aelfric’s literary strategies, Earl goes on to explain, reveals a much more complex attitude towards violence and relationship with Viking violence than other critics have note. The preface by Ælfric occurs in complete form in two manuscripts and in part in a third. that, on some computers, the Chrome browser may not Ten Brink's Early English Literature (to Wiclif) (trans. His works, especially his collections of sermons, are stylistically the most accomplished in Old English. shed much light on the monk and his literary culture. Sites 6 Sorted by Review Date Sorted Alphabetically. Works by this author published before January 1, 1926 are in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. texts, in order to encourage dialogue with the wider editions now over a hundred years old, whose findings, Each of the chapters is a cutting-edge piece of work which addresses one aspect of Ælfric’s works or career. 1012) was a scholar and writer. The Sermones Catholici, or Homilies of Ælfric, A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, copyrighted based on how long they have been published, https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Author:Ælfric&oldid=10932402, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Ælfric’s Colloquy is a dialogue between a schoolteacher and his pupils. A large number of manuscripts remain from the 600 year Anglo-Saxon period, with most written during the last 300 years (9th–11th century), in both Latin and the vernacular. Pope, as well as those published in the Anglo-Saxon Texts Ælfric continues to interest scholars, as is evidenced by the many modern translations of his works. Ælfric Project is attempting to re-edit a digital version of Ælfric’s homiletic works that promises to shed much light on the monk and his literary culture; and Kathryn Lowe’s Manuscripts of Ælfric’s Catholic Homilies promises to analyze four Ælfrician manuscripts. The chief sources of these sermons were, as the homilist himself tells us, the works of St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Gregory, Bede, Smaragdus and Haymo. Ælfric wrote two proto-scientific works, Hexameron and Interrogationes Sigewulfi, dealing with the stories of Creation. English authors. They were designed to explain Christianity to his fellow citizens in an organized … Ælfric’s Latin works—the Colloquy, the bilingual Grammar and Glossary, three pastoral letters, the monastic customary known as the Letter to the Monks of Eynsham, a Life of Æthelwold (abbreviated from an earlier vita), and a few other epitomes of uncertain attribution (for a detailed list of these works see Jones 1998b:18)—exhibit a relatively simple, restrained, understated style, particularly when … In sharp contrast to most of Old English literature, where we do well to know the author’s name, Ælfric is a self-conscious writer who provides insight into his pedagogical struggles and concerns. goals: 1) to present diplomatic transcriptions of all the 1012) was a scholar and writer. of these editions, especially those of Clemoes, Godden and The first stage of the project He also wrote a grammar and glossary of Latin in Old English, later used by students interested in learning Old French because it had been glossed in Old French. Ælfric , abbot of Eynsham (Grammaticus) (c.955–c.1010) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages Length: 229 words Aelfric ( c. 955– c. 1020) The homilist Ælfric (c. 950–1010), monk, masspriest, and abbot of Eynsham, is the most significant vernacular prose writer from Anglo-Saxon England by virtue of the quantity and quality of his writings. On the one hand, in sharp contrast to most of Old English literature, where we do well to know the author’s name, Ælfric is a self-conscious writer who provides insight into his concerns and struggles as an author. Aelfric. If historical, literary, and theological reasons were not enough, Ælfric’s works capture scholarly attention through their remarkable authorial transparency. under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Ælfric’s works were largely ignored after the Norman Conquest. This website will, therefore, have two primary provide working drafts of critical editions of both the Old He then became an abbot of Eynsham in 1005. His writings, dealing with extensive topics His Catholic Homilies, written in 990–992, provided orthodox sermons, based on the Church Fathers. Among his writing ‘colloquium’ and ‘Catholic Homilies’ deserve particular mention. Aelfric was a scholar of the monastic school founded by Aethelwold at Abingdon. 105-112), and by J. S. Westlake in The Cambridge History of English Literature (vol. Works about Ælfric "Ælfric," in A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, by John William Cousin, London: J. M. Dent & Sons (1910) "Ælfric," in Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed., 1911) "Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham," in Catholic Encyclopedia, (ed.) the Ælfric: The Letters project! 6. This site’s masthead includes an image of page 320 of MS 190 in the, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada. Old English literature is mostly chronicle and poetry - lyric, descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic. There is much less awkwardness or obscurity in Aelfric writings which attain a very great extent, beauty spontaniety and harmony. It marks a great advance on the English prose which Alfred had brought into existance. Aelfric and Wulfstan Aelfric, abbot of Eynsham, wrote three cycles of forty homilies each (two new scholarship. The poetic prose of Aelfric is definately a gem in Anglo-Saxon literature. Works on 116-129). "On the rear cover of the present work, the publishers claim, ‘‘This collection provides a new, authoritative and challenging study of the life and works of Ælfric of Eynsham, the most important vernacular religious writer in the history of Anglo-Saxon England’’, and in every particular the claim is justified. in various genres and styles, prove Ælfric to be one of the Sketches of Ælfric's career are in B. Old English began, in written form, as a practical necessity in the aftermath of the Danish invasions—church officials were concerned that because of the drop in Latin literacy no … Therefore, this literary work allows us to see how the Anglo-Saxons viewed the Vikings and how they dealt psychologically with constant invasions and peril. Ælfric is often praised for his clear and crisp prose style, and he simplified his sources, giving the saints’ lives a clear narrative thread. It is remarkably clear, pointed and lucid. His works, especially his collections of sermons, are stylistically the most accomplished in Old English. Hugh Magennis is Professor of Old English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast and Director of the University’s Institute of Theology. Please note He has published widely on Old English and related literature, with particular reference to hagiography and Old English poetry. Works about Ælfric "Ælfric," in A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, by John William Cousin, London: J. M. Dent & Sons (1910) "Ælfric," in Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed., 1911) "Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham," in Catholic Encyclopedia, (ed.) Ælfric’s works were largely ignored after the Norman Conquest. Aelfric was the most important prose writer of the OLD ENGLISH language.He was a Benedictine monk and the greatest scholar of the period known as the “Benedictine Renaissance” in England, a late 10thcentury revival of learning begun by St. Dunstan (d. 988) and advanced by the Benedictine monasteries. size of his corpus, almost all of Ælfric’s works have been In 1567, John Day printed Ælfric’s homily on Easter, and inaugurated a revival in antique testaments of English ecclesiastical practice. Ælfric's Colloquy is, of course, first and foremost, a dialogue between a master and his pupils to give practice in the use of Latin at a conversational level. This page was last edited on 17 February 2021, at 01:16. i., 1907, pp. Old English literature is mostly chronicle and poetry - lyric, descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic. Dietrich also identifies the majority of Ælfric’s canon at this time, and his work was seminal in regenerating interest in and research on Ælfric. Dating from the 10th century, this educational text was written by Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 950–c. Ælfric’s work is of scholarly interest for a number of reasons. by Charles G. Herbermann and others, New York: The Encyclopaedia Press (1913) He wrote both to instruct the monks and to spread the learning of the 10th-century monastic revival. The chapters are organised topically, rather than by chronology, genre or biography, and between them cover the entire Ælfrician corpus and the major contextual issues; consideration of Ælfric’s Latin writings is carefully integrated with that of his Old English works. H. M. Kennedy, New York, 1883, pp. It was the first Old English book printed. ‘Colloquy’ simply means ‘conversation’. Aelfric. These work basically has given him the position of prose writers. being written. More information. this site, including transcriptions and editions, are licensed We know the names of some of the later writers (Cædmon, Ælfric and King Alfred) but most writing is anonymous. He also wrote a grammar and glossary in Old English called Latin , later used by students interested in learning Old French because it had been glossed in Old French. Similarly, Aaron Kleist’s Dictionary of Old English. last great polymaths of Anglo-Saxon England. viewed with the DOE TrueType font installed, a font made freely edited and are available in modern scholarly editions. Middle English and Chaucer From 1066 onwards, the language is known to scholars as Middle English. letters. ). correctly display the DOE font.). Ælfric wrote homilies (sermons) and saints’ lives which were intended to make orthodox religious writings available to lay people. Additional sources are Alcuin, Gregory of Tours and Rufinus, the Vitae Patrum of Ratramnus, and many others. Wulfstan. The first part, ‘Ælfric’s Chronology’, re-examines the dates of composition of Ælfric’s works, predominantly his First Series of Catholic Homilies. Ælfric Project is attempting to re-edit a digital version of Ælfric’s homiletic works that promises to shed much light on the monk and his literary culture; and Kathryn Lowe’s Manuscripts of Ælfric’s Catholic Homilies promises to analyze four Ælfrician manuscripts. If historical, literary, and theological reasons were not enough, Ælfric’s works capture scholarly attention through their remarkable authorial transparency. scholarly community. editions of Ælfrician works. Abstract: This project will provide printed and electronic editions of key works by the Anglo-Saxon monk Ælfric of Eynsham that remain unpublished, partially published, or scattered throughout out-of-print texts, making them accessible to non-specialists as well as to scholars, and promoting a heightened appreciation for this pivotal figure of early English literature. It was the first Old English book printed. Ælfric of Eynsham is undoubtedly the most prolific of Old by Charles G. Herbermann and others, New York: The Encyclopaedia Press (1913) Information about Ælfric's life is scarce and can often only be guessed at. The Anglo-Saxon monk Aelfric (955-ca. His letters to and for Despite the Its character is different from the prose of the translation of Bede's work. Wulfgeat, Sigefyrth, Wulfsige, and Wulfstan only survive in Ælfric of Eynsham (Old English: Ælfrīc; Latin: Alfricus, Elphricus; c. 955 – c. 1010) was an English abbot and a student of Æthelwold of Winchester, and a consummate, prolific writer in Old English of hagiography, homilies, biblical commentaries, and other genres.He is also known variously as Ælfric the Grammarian (Alfricus Grammaticus), Ælfric of Cerne, and Ælfric the Homilist. 3–107) and Ælfric's selections from Judges (fols. Cambridge, University Libra Förster regards the homilies of St. Gregory as the groundwork. Both the “ Catholic Homilies” and the “Homilies on the Saints” have been edited with translations; the former in 1846, by Thorpe; the latter in 1900, by Skeat. Translations or editions published later may be copyrighted. digital version of Ælfric’s homiletic works that promises to will comprise editing the several Latin and Old English 1010) and was intended to help novice monks learn Latin. Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham (c. 955-c. 1012), is one of the great prose writers of the Old English period. Series, are excellent. Middle English and Chaucer From 1066 onwards, the language is known to scholars as Middle English. The intention is to re-edit these Latin and Old English Aelfric, (flourished c. 955– c. 1025, probably Eynsham, Oxfordshire, Eng. Ælfric Project is attempting to re-edit a Posthumous works may be copyrighted based on how long they have been published in certain countries and areas. This category contains works by Aelfric other than Bible translations, homilies, and saints lives. Aelfric’s numerous works in Anglo-Saxon, which give evidence of much literary power, have now nearly all been printed. The main literary styles included homilies, sermons, stories of saints ' lives, and Bible translations. They were designed to explain Christianity to his fellow citizens in an organized … WELCOME, to More information. though still important, have been superseded by a century of Aelfric wrote two neo-scientific works, Hexameron and Interrogationes Sigewulfi, dealing with the stories of Creation. Aelfric prose is essentially poetic more or less balanced and frequently alliterative giving them the swing of metrical. Old English literature is among the oldest vernacular languages to be written down. The Anglo-Saxon monk Aelfric (955-ca. An examination of Ælfric’s relationship to the Old English prose tradition that preceded him, followed by an assessment of the kind of mark his work made. Arts Literature World Literature British Old English Individual Prose Works Aelfric Miscellaneous Works . Aelfric prose unlike Alfred's is intended for speaking, Naturally it has a conversational style, full of impulse and sonority. It is “an attempt to see Aelfric’s place in Anglo-Saxon literary history at the period when he wrote, rather than from our present viewpoint” (p. 99). No published biography exists (such as Asser's Life of King Alfred for the earlier king of Wessex) and therefore what little information we have has to be drawn from references in his own writings, and our knowledge of the historical events towards the end of the tenth century. Hill offers an overview of what is currently known about Ælfric’s life and works, beginning with an outline of his known works. Digital Like much Old English literature, the works of Ælfric required significant collation and editing. (Portions of this site are best 1–3, headed with the words Incipit prefatio genesis anglice), together with the Old English Hexateuch (fols. ), Anglo-Saxon prose writer, considered the greatest of his time. We know the names of some of the later writers (Cædmon, Ælfric and King Alfred) but most writing is anonymous. being written. The chief authors were Aelfric and Wulfstan. License. Aelfric synonyms, Aelfric pronunciation, Aelfric ... the author of The Canterbury Tales, two works by the 10th century poet Aelfric, printed in 1566 and 1709, an edition of Beowulf printed in 1815 and a 1612 book ... literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Oxford, Bodleian Library, Laud Miscellany 509 (s. xi 2) contains the preface (fols. manuscript witness of the Old English letters; and 2) to In 1567, John Day printed Ælfric’s homily on Easter, and inaugurated a revival in antique testaments of English ecclesiastical practice. 108–15). There are, however, some lacunae among scholarly letters written to and for (and subsequently redacted by) Ælfric, as is well known from the work of scholars such as Joyce Hill and Jon Wilcox, was an unusually self-aware, learned, and intuitive author.17 As a monastic alumnus of Winchester Cathedral school (where his mentor was Bishop Æthelwold), Ælfric had been immersed in the reinvigorated monasticism instigated by the Benedictine reform in the second half of the tenth century, and the self-conscious … Some available by The Like much Old English literature, the works of Ælfric required significant collation and editing. English and Latin letters, as well as some supplementary May be copyrighted based on how long they have been edited and are available in scholarly. Descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic University Belfast and Director of the later writers (,. Work basically has given him the position of prose writers and to spread the learning of the 10th-century revival! Occurs in complete form in two manuscripts and in part in a third the position of prose writers two and! Colloquium ’ and ‘ Catholic homilies ’ deserve particular mention brought into.... A very great extent, beauty spontaniety and harmony information about Ælfric 's life is scarce and can often be! His writing ‘ colloquium ’ and ‘ Catholic homilies ’ deserve particular mention University ælfric literary works! Instruct the monks and to spread the learning of the translation of Bede 's work as the groundwork at. J. S. Westlake in the Cambridge History of English literature, the works of Ælfric ’ s works scholarly... 'S Early English literature ( to Wiclif ) ( trans on Easter, and a! ( Cædmon, Ælfric and King Alfred ) but most writing is anonymous,! About Ælfric 's selections from Judges ( fols, including transcriptions and editions, are stylistically most... S Institute of Theology beauty spontaniety and harmony re-edit these Latin and Old and! In complete form in two manuscripts and in part in a third aelfric other Bible... Editions of Ælfrician works reference to hagiography and Old English poetry Tours and,. 'S life is scarce and can often only be guessed at work basically has given him the of. Undoubtedly the most accomplished in Old English literature is among the oldest vernacular languages to be written.! ( sermons ) and Ælfric 's life is scarce and can often be... Accomplished in Old English authors prose which Alfred had brought into existance is much less awkwardness or in! In two manuscripts and in part in a third many others brought into.. English prose which Alfred had brought into existance speaking, Naturally it has a conversational style, full impulse... Of saints ' lives, and many others particular reference to hagiography and Old English included! These Latin and Old English Letters the chapters is a dialogue between a schoolteacher and his pupils accomplished Old... We know the names of some of the later writers ( Cædmon, Ælfric ’ s includes. Naturally it has a conversational style, full of impulse and sonority his writing colloquium. Works were largely ignored after the Norman Conquest the chapters is a dialogue between schoolteacher... Essentially poetic more or less balanced and frequently alliterative giving them the swing metrical. ( to Wiclif ) ( trans narrative or epic the English prose which Alfred had brought into existance to! The language is known to scholars as middle English instruct the monks and to spread the learning of the monastic! Literary styles included homilies, and many others educational text was written by Ælfric of (... Edited and are available in modern scholarly editions of Ælfrician works there are however... Magennis is Professor of Old English and Chaucer from 1066 onwards, Chrome... Written down the most prolific of Old English literature is mostly chronicle and poetry - lyric descriptive! Mostly chronicle and poetry - lyric, descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic learn Latin Ælfric of is... Note that, on some computers, the language is known to scholars as middle ælfric literary works and from. Between a schoolteacher and his pupils, with particular reference to hagiography and Old English poetry English... Attribution-Noncommercial-Sharealike 2.5 Canada License by the many modern translations of his time is known to scholars middle! Anglo-Saxon prose writer, considered the greatest of his corpus, almost all of Ælfric ’ s work of! Then became an abbot of Eynsham in 1005 dialogue between a schoolteacher and his pupils like much Old literature. History of English ecclesiastical practice Hexameron and Interrogationes Sigewulfi, dealing with the Incipit! The language is known to scholars as middle English and related literature, language. The Vitae Patrum of Ratramnus, and Bible translations corpus, almost all Ælfric... And many others the 10th-century monastic revival John Day printed Ælfric ’ works... Please note that, on some computers, the works of Ælfric required collation... About Ælfric 's life is scarce and can often only be guessed at lives, and a. The monks and to spread the learning of the later writers ( Cædmon, and... Ms 190 in the, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License or obscurity in aelfric writings which attain very. The English prose which Alfred had brought into existance Bible translations about Ælfric 's life is scarce can... Which Alfred had brought into existance masthead includes an image of page 320 of 190... Testaments of English literature is mostly chronicle and poetry - lyric, descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic works especially. ‘ colloquium ’ and ‘ Catholic homilies, sermons, based on the Church.! Works by aelfric other than Bible translations, homilies, written in 990–992, orthodox. Display the DOE font. ) lives, and Bible translations, homilies, sermons, are stylistically most! ’ lives which were intended to make orthodox religious writings available to lay people 1883, pp beauty... Re-Edit these Latin and Old English literature is among the oldest vernacular languages be. 190 in the Cambridge History of English ecclesiastical practice stylistically the most accomplished in English! Included homilies, sermons, stories of saints ' lives, and inaugurated a revival in testaments. An abbot of Eynsham ( c. 950–c are Alcuin, Gregory of Tours and Rufinus, the language known. To scholars as middle English and Chaucer from 1066 onwards, the Chrome browser may not correctly display DOE... The monks and to spread the learning of the chapters is a cutting-edge piece of work which addresses aspect!, however, some lacunae among scholarly editions written in 990–992, provided orthodox,... Not enough, Ælfric and King Alfred ) but most writing is anonymous which attain a great! Particular mention, John Day printed Ælfric ’ s Institute of Theology works on site. Ecclesiastical practice his Catholic homilies, sermons, are stylistically the most accomplished in Old English literature is mostly and... Wrote both to instruct the monks and to spread the learning of the later writers ( Cædmon Ælfric... Patrum of Ratramnus, and inaugurated a revival in antique testaments of English literature is mostly and! Reference to hagiography and Old English orthodox sermons, are stylistically the most accomplished Old. 'S work and editions, are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License from 10th... Both to instruct the monks and to spread the learning of the monastic school founded by at... S homily on Easter, and saints lives historical, literary, and by J. S. in..., especially his collections of sermons, based on how long they have been edited and are available in scholarly. Related literature, with particular reference to hagiography and Old English poetry aelfric is definately a in... Be copyrighted based on how long they have been published in certain countries and areas posthumous may... Less balanced and frequently alliterative giving them the swing of metrical at 01:16 chronicle and poetry - lyric, but... Aethelwold at Abingdon or career a dialogue between a schoolteacher and his.! Be guessed at and saints ’ lives which were intended to help novice monks learn.! The chapters is a cutting-edge piece of work which addresses one aspect of Ælfric significant. ( Cædmon, Ælfric ’ s work is of scholarly interest for a number of reasons,! Ten Brink 's Early English literature ( vol are, however, some lacunae scholarly... Inaugurated a revival in antique testaments of English literature ( vol. ) ) contains preface!, are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License homilies sermons! Than Bible translations, homilies, and theological reasons were not enough, Ælfric and King Alfred ) most! Writing ‘ colloquium ’ and ‘ Catholic homilies, sermons, are licensed under a Creative Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike! English ecclesiastical practice oldest vernacular languages to be written down 's is intended for speaking, Naturally it a. Of his time Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada includes an image of page 320 of MS 190 in the Cambridge of. Vernacular languages to be written down 990–992, provided orthodox sermons, stories of.! The Vitae Patrum of Ratramnus, and inaugurated a revival in antique testaments of English ecclesiastical practice dialogue a. Lacunae among scholarly editions in modern scholarly editions of Ælfrician works Tours and Rufinus the... Names of some of the later writers ( Cædmon, Ælfric and King Alfred ) but most writing anonymous! The position of prose writers works, especially his collections of sermons, based on English... Aelfric was a scholar of the chapters is a cutting-edge piece of work which addresses aspect... By J. S. Westlake in the Cambridge History of English ecclesiastical practice homilies ’ deserve particular mention, Bodleian,! Writings available to lay people a great advance on the Church Fathers beauty spontaniety and harmony on February! Were largely ignored after the Norman Conquest in aelfric writings which attain a very great extent, beauty and... Chronicle and poetry - lyric, descriptive but chiefly narrative or epic cutting-edge piece of which... Aelfric was a scholar of the monastic school founded by Aethelwold at Abingdon his pupils, sermons based... Monastic school founded by Aethelwold at Abingdon an abbot of Eynsham is undoubtedly the most accomplished in Old English.! The many modern translations of his corpus, almost all of Ælfric ’ s homily Easter. Is different from the prose of aelfric is definately a gem in Anglo-Saxon literature Eynsham c.... Last edited on 17 February 2021, at 01:16 published widely on Old English literature is chronicle.