Anglo – Saxon Prose Writers: King Alfred, Aelfric, Wulfstan are So Famous? But Why?

Until the 9^th century literary prose did not develop in England. Before this Anglo – Saxon prose started in the form of some laws, and historical records. Basically with Alfred The Great Anglo – Saxon prose marks the true beginning. The three great prose writers of this period are King Alfred, Aelfric and Wulfstan. They are famous Anglo-Saxon prose writers for their significant contributions to English literature. They preserved and translated important texts, promoted education, and played pivotal roles in shaping the English language and cultural identity during the Anglo-Saxon period.

King Alfred

He is known as the ‘father of English Prose’. King Alfred, also known as Alfred the Great, was a prominent Anglo-Saxon king who ruled Wessex from 871 to 899. The successive raids of the Danes made the English miserable. The Danes burnt the books, destroyed the monasteries and ever destroyed the mental peace. He fought and restored peace.  He is famous for his translation works, particularly his efforts to translate important Latin texts into Old English, the vernacular language of the Anglo-Saxons. Alfred believed in the importance of education and sought to make knowledge accessible to his people. He personally translated or supervised the translation of various works, including historical, philosophical, and religious texts. Among his notable translations are "The Consolation of Philosophy" by Boethius and "The Pastoral Care" by Pope Gregory I. These translations helped preserve valuable knowledge and literature during a time when Latin was the dominant language of scholars. Alfred's translation works were instrumental in fostering the growth of English as a literary language and played a crucial role in the development of English literature.

He translated the five great works.

(A) Gregory’s – ‘Pastoral Care’ :It is a religious works which discusses the essentials of Christianity. It is to be noted that in the preface of it Alfred said by the laity, to know the history of their country.

(B) Bede’s – ‘Ecclesiastical History of the England’ – It is about the religious development in England , Here Alfred , wished his people , not just clergy but the laity , to know the history of their country.

(C) Orosius – ‘History of the World' – It is a study of the world from various aspects, His accounts of geography. The language and places of Germany make the reading interesting Alfred is desire was to see people acquainted not only with the country history but also was that of the world beyond.

(D) Boethius’s – ‘De Consolation Philosophic’ – It is a fine study of the sorrow’s and suffering of human title and the way of their consolation. It is written in the form of dialogue between Boethius and philosophy. Boethius also has written it in prison in order to console his sole in the dire hour of dejection and isolation. Here we find Alfred deep faith in Christianity finding reflection in his translation.

(E) St. Augustine’s – ‘Soliloquia’ – It is a highly philosophic work. Its preface overflow’s with emotions at the prospect of his departure from this world. Here he recalls all his good work done as a writer and educator and exhorts his for being to carry on the work he had began. Apart from his translations, Alfred wrote - Hand book – and Law book, and patronaged the Anglo Saxon Chronicles.

Aelfric

Aelfric, also known as Aelfric of Eynsham, was a scholar of the monastic school founded by Aethelwold at Abingdon. He then became an abbot of Eynsham in 1005. Among his writing ‘colloquium’ and ‘Catholic Homilies’ deserve particular mention. These work basically has given him the position of prose writers. Aelfric is famous for his translations of various religious texts, particularly the Bible. His translations were not direct word-for-word renditions but rather adaptations that aimed to make the biblical stories and teachings accessible to the common people of England who spoke Old English. Aelfric's translations were highly influential and widely circulated, contributing to the spread of Christian knowledge and morality among the Anglo-Saxon population. In addition to biblical translations, Aelfric also translated other religious works, such as saints' lives and sermons, as well as historical and philosophical texts. His translations helped shape the literary landscape of the Anglo-Saxon period and played a significant role in the development of English religious literature.

Culloquime: - It is meant for teaching Latin by means of conversation. There is a teacher in one side and on the other side there are a Number of Person coming from the different fields and a Novi through the interesting conversation the way of learning slowly comes.

Catholic Homilies: - Alfric write sermon’s in vernacular. The first two Series of these sermons are known as ‘Catholic Homilies and the third are known as ‘lives of the saints’, ‘catholic Homilies’ two series of forty Sermon’s suitable for delivery by the clergy.

The first seven books of the Old Testament are supposed to be translated by Aelfric and that is why he can be called as the first English Bible translator.

Aelfric’s prose has a rhymed charm and shares the element of poetry. He writes in a conventional style full of impulse and sonority.

To W. P. Ker – “Aelfric is the great master of prose in all its forms."

 Wulfstan

Wulfstan, an Anglo-Saxon prose writer, is renowned for his translation works. He translated several important religious texts from Latin into Old English, making them more accessible to the common people. His translations helped disseminate religious knowledge and played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. He was the Archbishop of York from 1002 to 1023. He had witnessed the Danish invasion which perhaps has started the patriotic zeal in him. Homilies are extant, but his fame mainly rests on a single homily – “The Sermo Lupi ad Anglos’.

Ardhendu De

Ref: 

1.ALBERT. (2000). History of English Literature (Fifth Edition) [English]. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.   

2. A history of English literature : Compton-Rickett, Arthur, 1869-1937 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/historyofenglish00comprich