'Anglo-Saxon England has been providing Anglo-Saxonists with scholarship of consistently high quality for nearly twenty years now. Its range of subjects within the field is both wide and interdisciplinary, and the annual bibliography, always meticulously produced, has become an indispensable resource.' E. A. Rowe, Anglia 'As always, Anglo-Saxon England is a model of correct printing of often difficult material, especially in the references throughout and in the outstandingly good bibliography, so much so that the discovery by a reviewer of the odd misprint turns into an unprofitable triumph.' E. G. Stanley, Notes & Queries 'The volumes of Anglo-Saxon England, while naturally reflecting work in progress and suitable in article form, seem often to advance steadily along lines set out in the late sixties, in the period between the death of Sir Frank Stenton (1967) and the appearance of the third and posthumous edition of his volume in the Oxford History of England (1971). In this respect, at least, Cambridge took over where Oxford left off questions asked vigorously a decade and a half ago begin to receive answers in the eighties.' H. R. Loyn, Journal of Ecclesiastical History --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
That Alcuin addressed to the monks of Lindisfarne the question, 'What has Ingeld to do with Christ?', is a much repeated dogma in Old English studies; but in this book close examination of the letter in question shows that it was addressed not to Lindisfarne nor to a monastic community, but to a bishop in Mercia. That 'Ultán the scribe' was responsible for some of the most lavishly illuminated Anglo-Saxon manuscripts is shown to be another untenable dogma. Fresh perspectives from interdisciplinary study: the 'beasts-of-battle' typescenes which are characteristic of Old English poetry are studied in the wider context of other European literatures. The nasty Viking habit of murdering hostages by throwing bones at them (as happened to St 'lfeah) is illuminated by a wide-ranging study of analogues in Scandinavian literatures. Characteristic features of Aldhelm's enigmata are elucidated by the study of Byzantine riddles, thereby revealing a link between England and the Greek orient. The usual comprehensive bibliography of the previous year's publications rounds off the book.
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