Learning in Mediaeval England (600-1100): A Medley of Philological Studies in Anglo-Saxon Literature

Philologists have been attracted by the language and literature of the Anglo-Saxons; among them are counted earlier scholars, such as Archbishop Parker, William Lambarde, Lawrence Nowell, Francis Junius. They have handed down the torch of Anglo-Saxon studies to the modern scholars. Prior to discussion of the language and literature of the Anglo-Saxons, this book gives a very brief survey of Anglo-Latin authors; Aldhelm, Bede and Alcuin produced marvelous works written in Latin. A great number of manuscripts were copied from the works of those authors, and glosses were often added to them, sometimes interlinearly. The typical example of Old English interlinear glosses are found in the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Rushworth Gospels. Anglo-Saxon poets devoted themselves to Old English paraphrase of Scriptural narratives. King Alfred, Ælfric and Wulfstan made sometimes literal and sometimes free translation in order to enhance morality and intellectuality of the people. This book also includes two chapters on studies of proper nouns.