Cædmon
At a glance:
- Series: Dictionary of World Biography: Middle Ages
- Categories: Literature, Publishing, Religion, Ethics
- Subcategories: Authors, Writers, Christianity, Christians, Churches, Poetry, Poets, Catholic Church, Catholics, Monks, Nuns, Monasteries, Convents
- Curriculum: British History, Medieval History/Middle Ages
Article abstract: An unlettered monk of the seventh century, Cædmon is recognized as the first named English poet.
Early Life
Cædmon has the distinction of being the first English poet identified by name from whom a work has survived. Of his two significant seventh century contemporaries, Aldhelm perhaps preceded him, but his English verses have not survived. The second, Cynewulf, signed four religious poems with runic letters indicating his authorship, but he probably lived slightly later than Cædmon. The sole source of information on Cædmon’s...
[The entire page is 2097 words long]
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