CHAPTER IV.. Christian Literature and Prose Literature of the Anglo-Saxons.

CHRISTIAN LITERATURE AND PROSE LITERATURE OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS.

I. Conversion.--Arrival of Augustine--The new teaching--The imperial idea and the Christian idea--Beginnings of the new faith--Heathen survivals--Convents and schools--Religious kings and princes--Proselytism, St. Boniface 60

II. Latin Culture.--Manuscripts--Alcuin, St. Boniface, Aldhelm, AEddi, Bede--Life and writings of Bede--His "Ecclesiastical History"--His sympathy for the national literature 65

III. Christian Poems.--The genius of the race remains nearly unchanged--Heroical adventures of the saints--Paraphrase of the Bible--Caedmon--Cynewulf--His sorrows and despair--"Dream of the Rood"--"Andreas"--Lugubrious sights--The idea of death--Dialogues--Various poems--The "Physiologus"--"Phoenix" 68

IV. Prose--Alfred the Great.--Laws and charters--Alfred and the Danish invasions--The fight for civilisation--Translation of works by St. Gregory, Orosius (travels of Ohthere), Boethius (story of Orpheus)--Impulsion given to prose--Werferth--Anglo-Saxon Chronicles--Character of Alfred. 78

V. St. Dunstan--Sermons.--St. Dunstan (tenth century) resumes the work of Alfred--Translation of pious works--Collections of sermons--AElfric, Wulfstan, "Blickling" homilies--Attempt to reach literary dignity. End of the Anglo-Saxon period 88