Winterbottom, Michael, ed., "Life of St. Ethelwold" in Three Lives of English Saints (Canada: The Hunter Rose Company, 1972). ISBN: 888444508
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Text name(s): The Life of St. Ethelwold

Number of pages of primary source text: 15

Medieval Author(s): Aelfric

Dates: 955 - 1020

Archival Reference: Bibliothèque Nationale, MS Paris, latinus 5362, ff. 74r.-81r.

Original Language(s): Latin;

Translation: Original language included.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): England;

County/Region: Wessex; Hampshire; Cornwall; Winchester; Glastonbury; Abingdon

Apparatus: Glossary Bibliography Introduction

Comments:

Aelfric’s Life of St. Ethelwold is the shorter of the two versions included in this book. Ethelwold was a Benedictine monk who served in the royal court of King Athelstan in the mid-10th century. He was involved in the monastic reforms of the era and was responsible for the instruction of young King Edmund. Previously the abbot of Abingdon, Ethelwold became the bishop of Winchester in 963. He was noted for his (mild) ascetic practices and practical talents, such as cooking and masonry. Aelfric resided in Winchester and later taught monks in Dorset. Eventually, he became the abbot of Eynsham in 1006 and presided as such until his death. Textual Notes also included.

Introduction Summary:

Introduction includes brief discussion on the political environment during the times of Sts. Ethelwold and Edmund and the Danish invasions, background information on the two men, location of the manuscripts and some notes on the use of Anglo-Saxon letters in the text.

Cataloger: KMU