History of the English Literature
Lecture IV 27th of October AD MMX
Old English Christian contexts national identity in the making:
the Venerable Bede, King Alfred the Great and Old English religious
poetry
vlfred Jewel a 9th c. vstel, now in possession of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, found
in 1693 near Athelney, Somerset, where Alfred the Great took refuge from the Danes (Vikings) in
878. It bears an inscription : AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN meaning Alfred had me
made.
vstel bookmark and a pointer (more or less). It had a socket for an ebony or ivory stick which
allowed to follow the text in book. It is a connection of Royal Power and Royal Authority.
Alfred (King of Wessex) -had several of vstels which he sent to bishoprics. It gave them a tangible
connection with the King.
The Venerable Bede (notice the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit) at work and a page from his
Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (Ecclesiatical[Church] History of English People)
Bede is the very first to speak of Unity of English nation (not as a political entity though there
were several kingdoms there)
Bede (672/3-735) and his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum. The Era of the so-called
Northumbrian renaissance his influence on the idea of national identity.
a. Historia ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum
-The idea of English nations 'translation/explanation' of the Anglo-Saxon conquest. Bede's
interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon conquest of Britain
-The Angles as a chosen nation the story about Pope Gregory from Historia Ecclesiastica... (note:
This myth is in existence pretty much anywhere and anytime)
-The myth-making power of his history the making of a nation in the eyes of God
-A form of national identity (across Anglo-Saxon kingdoms) built upon common language, faith
and common origins
-The story of Cvdmon and Cvdmon's Hymn possibly the first Old English poem and poet known
by name (Cvdmon is sort of a no-body employed as an animal caretaker. Despite that he is invited
to story-telling and singing meetings but never tells or sings anything. In a dream God visits him
and tells him to sing about the beginning of things)
-Bede's story of the arrival of Christianity to the court of the king of Northumbrian
-Cvdmon and Cvdmon's Hymn as a story of poetic inspiration. Cvdmon as the first English poet
mentioned by name.
b. Bede's scientific works on cosmology and Latin grammar
c. Bede's theological works biblical commentaries, books of hymns and his later role in Anglo-
Saxon England (translation of his Latin work into English in the times of King Alfred)
6. Multiple cultural contacts facilitated by Christianity
a. e.g. the kingdom of Mercia with the kingdom of Franks (Alcuin of York preceptor of
Charlemagne's sons);
b. Alfred the Great (849-899), king of Wessex (871-899) in vibrant contact with papacy and with
the Frankish court on the continent (visits and sojourns)
c. intellectual exchange between the monasteries in Anglo-Saxon England and Europe
Shilling of King Offa of Mercia (757-796) Note the style based on imperial Roman coins
Denier of Charlemagne (768-814) with the inscription KARLVS IMP AVG ( Carolus Imperator
Augustus )
7. King Alfred the Great (reigned 871-899) and his influence on the political and cultural identity
and independence of the kingdom of Wessex
a. The upbringing in the spirit of the Northumbrian renaissance (8th c. Northumbria) and Carolingian
renaissance (9th c. Frankish empire)
b. His visits to Rome as a child his perception as an heir to Imperium Romanum in Wessex and in
Britain.
c. Viking attacks and settlements in Britain. Alfred's wars with Vikings.
d. Initial defeats and later military successes of Alfred the rise of Wessex, later transformed into
the kingdom of England (king Athelstan's battle of Brunanburh, 937)
8. Alfred and English literature:
a. Legends of the king who loved literature since childhood -Asser's (his biographer's) story of the
king's exceptional memory and his Handboc (handbook of poetry).
b. The vision of a kingdom in Alfred inspired Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (containing The Battle of
Brunanburh )
c. Alfred's translations:
-Gregory the Great, Regula pastoralis (Pastoral Care). Alfred proposes in its opening a programme
of education and translation to recover the people's lost wealth and wisdom
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