SEMINAR:
DIE ALTENGLISCHE VERSION VON BEDAS
HISTORIA ECCLESIASTICA GENTIS ANGLORUM

The Latin original of Bede's church history from 731 is generally considered to be the first historical work of Anglo-Saxon England. As one of the most important texts at the time it describes the arrival of the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, as well as the conversion to Christianity, and also contains one of the earliest poems preserved in the Old English language, namely Cædmon's Hymn. As part of the cultural movement under King Alfred at the end of the ninth century the Latin text was translated into English. In this seminar we will read selections from this Old English version, discuss relevant historical events, and get to know the language of Early West Saxon.