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LECTURE 8
WRITERS FROM THE Old ENGLISH PERIOD
The four Anglo-Saxon poems have the name of Cynewulf. Most Old English poets are anonymnous. Twelve of them are known by name from Medieval sources. Only four of tthose poets are known by their survived works. These are Caedmon, Bede, King Alfred and Cynewulf. Only Caedmon, Bede and Alfred (King Alfred the Great) have their biographies.
Bede, Venerable (673-735). Bede was an English monk and historian. Bede was born in Northumbria and became a monk at Jarrow where he stayed all his life. Bede is known as the author of “Historia Ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum” which means Ecclesiastical history of the English people. It is the main historical source for the Old English period. He was an accurate and reliable observer. He was collector of historical information. He wrote when and how the initial Germanic invasion of Britain took place.
Caedmon (650-680) was the earliest of the Old English Christian poets. The only information about Caedmon is noted in the Ecclesiastical History of the English People by the English historian Bede. According to Bede, Caedmon was uneducated cowherd who had a dream in which a voice ordered him to sing the praises of the creation. He received his gift in his dream. The important point is that he was given the gift of singing stories about religious subjects and the creation of the world. This was how the Caedmon’s Hymn was created. It was recorded in several dialect versions in Old English by Bede. Caedmon was recognised and on the recommendation of Saint Hilda became a brother at the monastery of Whitby and continued to compose poetry on biblical themes.
Caedmon is considered the father of Old English poetry. Only a single nine- line poem remains, called Hymn, which is also the oldest surviving text in English. King Alfred (849-899) was famous for his translations from Latin and for his “Pastor’s Book”.
Cynewulf has proven to be a difficult figure to identify. But recent reseatch suggests he was from the early part of the 9th century and wrote a number of poems including “The Fates of the Apostles” and” Elene” (both found in the Vercelli Book) and “Christ II” and “Juliana” ( both found in the Exeter Book).
Anglo-Saxon songs and stories were always about battles, heroic but violent deeds, monsters- stories like “Beowulf”. The story of Caedmon pictures the use of the Anglo-Saxon custom of singing in the hall. By this they introduced Christian stories to the pagan Anglo-Saxons.
Cynewulf has proven to be a difficult figure to identify. But recent reseatch suggests he was from the early part of the 9th century and wrote a number of poems including “The Fates of the Apostles” and” Elene” (both found in the Vercelli Book) and “Christ II” and “Juliana” ( both found in the Exeter Book).