Notes taken from The Norton Anthology of English Literature (3) Christianity and old English culture

Christianity and old English culture:

 

  • Beginning of writing in Britain:                      along with the conversion to Christianity
  • Religion of the Celts and the Romans:                      Christianity
  • Religion of the Anglo-Saxon invaders:                       paganism
  • Beginning of the conversion to Christianity:      St. Augustine's mission in 597 by      Pope Gregory
  • The king in the time of conversion:                            King Ethelbert of Kent
  • The first written specimen of the old English or Anglo-Saxon language:          a code of laws                    
  • The first English Christian king:                                  King Ethelbert
  • The Venerable Bede and his work:      a churchman, Ecclesiastical History of the English People
  • Language of the work:                                  Latin ,in 731
  • Alcuin and his role:               friend and adviser of the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne, his role in development and spread of English culture
  • The man who was responsible for the greatest impetus of English culture: King Alfred of the West Saxons( 871 - 899 )
  • His contributions to England and her literature:  his translation of Boethius '      Consolation of Philosophy , directing the translation of Bede 's  History, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, preservation of Beowulf