AElfric of Eynsham (c.955-c.1010) greatest scholar of the English Benedictine revival

AElfric was an English abbot and student of AEthelwold of Winchester. He was a prolific writer in the Old English of hagiography, homilies, biblical commentaries and other genres.

He wrote 2 sets of 40 homilies and then wrote 3 works to help students learn Latin - the Grammar, the Glossary and the Colloquy. A third set ,* Lives of Saints* dated from 996-7.

AEthelwold asked him to translate from the Old Testament the beginning of Genesis from Latin into Old English. This was the very first time the Old Testament was translated into Old English. Rather than translate it verbatim he translated it by its meaning.

In 1005 he moved to AEthelwold’s new monastery in Eynsham where he was the monastery’s first abbot.

He died in 1010… He left careful instructions to future scribes to copy his work carefully. He did not want it marred by the introduction of unorthodox passages and scribal errors.

AElfric was the most prolific writer in Old English.His main theme was God’s mercy.

In 2022 a blue plaque was unveiled in Eynsham in recognition of his work.

According to Claudio Leonardi he represented the highest pinnacle of Benedictine reform and Anglo-Saxon literature.

Source
Wikipedia