Ancient
English prose
The earliest English prose work is the law code
of King Aethelberht I of Kent. It was written in the very
end of 6th century. The 7th and 8th century
prose was practical in its character so a lot of laws and wills date back to
this period.
The history of literature of this period is closely
connected with Bede (673-735). This famous monk was
probably the greatest teacher and the best-known man of letters and scholar in
all contemporary Europe. He is to have translated the Gospel of St.John
into Saxon, but the translation is lost. He wrote in Latin on a vast range of
subjects from natural science to grammar and history. His most important work
is the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which
is really a history of England from Julius Caesar’s invasion to 731. According
to it we find out that Bede could relate things simply and well. But during
much of this period conditions were unfavorable to writing and literacy in
England declined sharply between 800 and the reign of King Alfred and then
again after about 990.
The deeds and thoughts of Alfred
(849-901), king of the West Saxons, remain a strong moral influence on the
world. Posterity rightly gave him the surname of “the Great”, as he is one of
the comparatively few great men of all time. He led a vigorous program to
translate into English “certain books that are necessary for all men to know”.
His ill health and the wars with the Danes did not keep him from trying to
educate his people or from earning the title, “father of English prose”.
Although most of his works are translations from the Latin, yet he has left the
stamp of his originality. For example he re-casted a Latin work on history and
geography written in the 5th century by Orosius.
Alfred the Great omitted some parts, changed others, added some interviews so
this book is known as Alfred’s Orosius now.
Alfred also translated Pastoral Rule in
order to show the clergy how to teach and care for their flocks. Alfred was
fond of people and tried to examine their souls on his works. For example, he
wrote: “Let us love the man but hate his sins“. His revision of the legal code,
known as Alfred’s Laws, shows his moral aim. Alfred also produced
a work on moral philosophy, by altering and amending the De Consolatione
Philosophie of Boethius. In simplicity and moral power, some of
Alfred’s original matter in this volume was not surpassed by any English writer
for several hundred years.
Alfred's interest in the history of
his people is evidenced, in the stimulus he apparently gave to the recording of
it in systematic fashion. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
was probably originated in Alfred’s reign. This is the first history of any
branch of the Teutonic people in their own tongue. From annals already existing and known Latin sources, a compiler
put together (about 891) an account of previous English history from the age of
Julius Caesar. Outstanding events falling in Alfred's reign were told
"with breadth and detail. This original version of the so-called
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was sent to a number of centres of learning and there
carried forward as official supplements were circulated for addition to it.
Local materials were also used. The oldest surviving version, closest to
Alfred's original project, is the Parker manuscript (thus named because it was
once in the possession of Archbishop Parker). The
Chronicle has come down to us in several different texts. According as it was
compiled or copied at different monasteries. The entries, relating to earlier
events were copied from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History and from other Latin
authorities. The Chronicle contains chiefly those events which each year
impressed the clerical compilers as the most important in the history of the
nation. This work is a fountainhead to which writers of the history of those
times must turn. Sometimes the narrative is extremely vivid. For example the
excellence of the portraiture of William the Conqueror is evident.
The Benedictine reform of the mid-10th century
brought about a period of lively literary activity. Aethelwold,
bishop of Winchester and one of the leaders of the reform, translated the rule
of St.Benedict. But the greatest and most prolific writer of this
period was his pupil Aelfric. This abbot followed Alfred’s
example in writing native English prose. His chief works are his Homilies,
a series of sermons, and The Lives of Saints. Although much of
his writing is a compilation or a translation from the Latin Fathers, it is
often remarkably vigorous in expression. To modern readers the most interesting
of Aelfric’s writings is his Colloquium, designed to teach Latin
in the monastery of Winchester. The pupils were required to learn the Latin
transformation of his dialogues in the Anglo-Saxon vernacular. Some of this
dialogues are today valuable illustrations of the social and industrial life of
the time.
Wolfsan (died 1023) was a contemporary and friend of Aelfric.
Among (the homilies ascribed to him, the most famous and most eloquent is an
address to the people of England on the evils and calamities of his times.
Wolfsan of course regarded these quite simply as punishments (for moral
transgressions. Wulfstan's intense feeling and his mastery of oratorical style
raise his Sermon to the English above the more conventional ones
of the time warning about an imminent end of the world.
So by the end of ancient period
English had been established as a literary language with a polish and
versatility unequalled among European vernaculars.
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