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Internet Medieval Sourcebook

Selected Sources: Anglo-Saxon England

Contents

• Britain after the Romans
• Anglo-Saxons
• Arthuriana

Britain after the Romans

• Non-Textual and Material Sources
  Documentary and historiographical sources are very limited for much of the Anglo-Saxon period. The term "Anglo-Saxon" is very open to question.. Increasingly in recent years those who reconstruct the past have lookec to non-textual and material sources. This can include traditional archaeolog based on excavations, as well as much newer biogenetic data derived from the DNA of living people and from the ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from the bones of people and animals buried at the time. Lingustic and place name data have long been important, as has lanscape history. All these types of "material sources" have been enhanced by information technology and are quite different from the textual sources which are the focus here. Links here are to examples of this kind of "source."
• WEB: The Berwickshire Place-Name Resource See the About page which states "Place-names are the main source of evidence for Anglo-Saxon settlement in northern Britain."
• Map: The End of Roman Rule in Britain, 383–410 [Wikipedia]
• Roman Historians on the End of Roman Britain c. 411

• General
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Translation: J. Ingram, [At OMACL, text 17].
  • Description of Northern Europe in the Anglo-Saxon translation of the History of Orosius. [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• The Saxon Invasions
  • Gildas (c.504-570): The Ruin of Britain, c. 540.
  • Gildas (c.504-570): Works, full text
  • Caradoc of Llancarfan: The Life of Gildas,1130-1150.
  • Nennius: History of the Britons, 8th cent, on King Arthur.
  • Nennius: Historia Brittonum, 8th century, full text
  • Gerald of Wales: The Discovery of the Tomb of King Arthur, from On the Instruction of a Prince (De Instructione Principis), c. 1223
  • The Annales Cambriae (The Annals of Wales) 447-954 [At this Site]
• The Conversion of England
  • Bede (673-735): Pope Gregory I, Angles, Angels and the English Mission 587
• The Age of Bede
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book I
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book II
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book III
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book IV
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book V
  • Bede (673-735): The Explanation of the Apocalypse
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History Bk IV: 1-2. Abbot Hadrian of Canterbury (d. 710). A North African abbot in England. See Wikipedia: Adrian of Canterbury
  • Willibald: The Life of St. Boniface
  • The Correspondence of St. Boniface
• Northumbria
• Mercia
• Charlemagne (r. 768-818): Letter to Offa, King of Mercia, 796.. [Offa ruled 757-796]
• The anonymous tract known as Be Mirciscan Aðe (‘Concerning the Mercian Oath’) 1002-23. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  
• The anonymous tract known as Be Mircna Laga (‘Concerning Laws of the Mercians’). 9th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The Ninth Century
• Æthelwulf, King of Wessex: Grant of a Tenth of Public Land, 854
• The Viking Invasions and After
• Abbo of Fleury: The Martyrdom of St. Edmund, King of East Anglia, 870, trans. Kenneth Cultler
• Alcuin: Letter to Higbald [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Al-Tartushi: Reports on his visit to Hedeby in the tenth century. [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Abingdon manuscript
• Canterbury manuscript
• Peterborough manuscript
  
• Winchester manuscript
• Worcester manuscript
• The entries for 994 in three versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
• Beowulf, lines 229-257, translated by Seamus Heaney. [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, De administrando imperio [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• The Battle of Maldon [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Othere's report on his travels. [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Thietmar of Merseburg, Chronicle 694-95 [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Widukind, The Deeds of the Saxons 3.65  [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• Wulfstan's report on his travels. [Internet Archive, was at Yale]
• The Age of Alfred
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, complete [At Yale Avalon Project]
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle on Alfred the Great. See also Catholic Encyclopedia: Alfred the Great
  • Asser: Life of King Alfred. The full text translation: J.A. Giles is available. [At OMACL]
  • Alfred and Guthrum's Peace.
  • William of Malmesbury, d. 1143?: Chronicle of the  Kings of England: The Anglo-Saxon Kings [At this Site]
• The 10th Century
• Edgar, King of the English: Grant of Exemption from Taxation to Glastonbury, 965
• The 11th Century: Later Anglo-Saxon England
  • King Edmund (939-946): First Code 10th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Æthelred (978-1016: Æthelred’s Woodstock Code, also known as I Æthelred. 997. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • Canute (Knut): Invasion of England in 1015-16, according to the Knytlinga Saga, 1015-16 [At De Re Militari]
  • Canute the Great: Granting of Fiefs, 1028
  • Canute, King of the English: Inheritance in Case of Intestacy, c. 1016-1035
  • Canute, King of the English: On Heriots and Reliefs, c. 1016-1035
  • The Chronicle of Ethelwerd.
  • Wulfstan II, Archbishop of YorkWorcester (d. 1023): Sermo Lupi ad Anglos, c. 1014, full text, in Latin and Old English. [At Internet Archive].
    The sermon of the Wolf to the English, when the Danes were greatly persecuting them, which was in the year 1014 after the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• England, its Government, and the Normans in the 11th Century
  • Emma of Normandy (d. 1052): Encomium Emmae Reginae [Encomium of Queen Emma], exceprts, mid 11th Century. Complete text at Internet Archive.
• Church and Society
• King Æthelberht (c.590-616): Grants land in Rochester to the church of St Andrew. Fraudulent document claiming to be from 604 but invented c. 1066. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death): Restores to the see of Rochester at the request of Bishop Godwine six sulungs at Wouldham and one mansa at Littlebrook. 995 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The dispute between Bishop Godwine and Leofwine over the estate of Snodland. 995-1005 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death):: Restores to the see of Rochester six sulungs at Bromley and the use of forest in the Weald. 998 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death): Grants to Bishop Godwine of Rochester fifteen hides at Fen Stanton and Hilton, Hunts. A.D. 1012. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• History of the estates of Bromley and Fawkham, Kent, in the time of King Eadgar and immediately afterwards (Edgar ruled 959-975) 980-987. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• WEB: Anglo-Saxon Penitentials: A Cultural Database [Allen Frantzen]
  The site shows the original texts, translations, and cultural contexts for five Anglo-Saxon Penitentials (confessors' hanbooks.)
• Law and Government
  • WEB Early English Laws
    Early English Laws is a project to publish online and in print new editions and translations of all English legal codes, edicts, and treatises produced up to the time of Magna Carta 1215.
  • Laws of Ethelbert, Alfred: Dooms, both copyrighted, but see next item
  • Laws of Alfred and Ine [In Anglo Saxon] [At Labryinth]
  • Anglo Saxon Dooms, 560-975, In English. These include:
    • The Laws of Æthelberht, King of Kent 560-616 A.D.
    • The Laws of Kings Hlothhære and Eadric 673-686 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Wihtræd 690-725 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Alfred 871-901 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edward the Elder, 901-924 A.D.
    • The Laws of Alfred, Guthrum, and Edward the Elder
    • The North People's Law
    • Mercian Law
    • The Laws of King Athelstan 924-939 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edmund I 939-946 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edgar 959-975 A.D.
  • The anonymous law known as Ordal (‘Ordeal’) 11-12th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous fragment of law known as Walreaf (‘Corpse Robbery’). c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous fragment of law known as Pax (‘Peace’) c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • Hu se man sceal swerie (‘How the person must swear an oath’) c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous tract known as Be Mirciscan Aðe (‘Concerning the Mercian Oath’) 1002-23. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
    
  • The anonymous tract known as Be Mircna Laga (‘Concerning Laws of the Mercians’). 9th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Edmund (939-946): First Code 10th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Æthelred (978-1016: Æthelred’s Woodstock Code, also known as I Æthelred. 997. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Anglo-Saxon Women
  • Bede: Abbess Hilda of Whitby (d. 679) from Ecclesiastical Histoy
  • Æthelflæd [Aetheflaed], Lady of the Mercians (d .918): Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 911-918, daughter of Alfred the Great and the only woman to rule Anglo-Saxon England in her own right.
  • Wynflaed (d. c 950/960): Will of Wynflæd concerning land at Ebbesborne, Wilts.; Charlton (probably Horethorne, Somerset); Coleshill, Berks.; Inggeneshamme (perhaps Inglesham, Wilts.); Faccombe, Hants; Adderbury, Oxon.; and at Chinnock, Somerset; the beneficiaries including Shaftesbury and Wilton. [At the Electronic Sawyer. Click the "Translation" icon for full translation.] See BL for Images of Manuscript. See Wikipedia: Wynflaed.
  • Emma of Normandy (d. 1052): Encomium Emmae Reginae [Encomium of Queen Emma], exceprts, mid 11th Century. Complete text at Internet Archive.
  • WEB: Anglo-Saxon Penitentials: A Cultural Database [Allen Frantzen]: Rules on Male-Female Sex Acts
    
• Same-Sex Relationships
  • WEB: Anglo-Saxon Penitentials: A Cultural Database [Allen Frantzen]: Rules on Same-Sex Acts
    
• Slavery in Anglo Saxon England
  • Various Texts on Anglo-Saxon Slavery [Laws of Ine; Laws of Alfred; Aelfric's Colloqut; William of Malmesbury on Slave Trade in Bristol]
  • Text and Translations of Manumission Documents. [PDF] From Benjamin Thorpe, Diplomatarium Anglicum aevi Saxonici: A Collection of English Charters. (London: 1865)
• Anglo-Saxon Literature
  • Caedmon (fl.c. 657-684): Hymn
  • Dream of the Rood 8th Century?
  • Beowulf, 8th century, trans Francis Gummere [HTML, here]
  • Beowulf, c. 1100 [At Lone Star]
    Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in English literature - and it survives in only one manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale destruction of religious artifacts during the
    dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and a disastrous fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631). The poem still bears the scars of the fire, visible at the upper left corner of the manuscript. This is a modern verse trasnlation by  David
    Breeden.
  • Codex Junius 11
    Translations from the Anglo-Saxon of the following works: "Genesis A", "Genesis B", "Exodus", "Daniel", and "Christ and Satan". All are works found in the manuscript of Anglo-Saxon verse known as "Junius 11" (Oxford, Bodleian Library 5123), which was compiled sometime toward the end of the 10th Century.
  • Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 950–c. 1010): Colloquy, c 990. A kind of textbook or teaching tool for teaching Latin.
  • Anglo-Saxon Charms, trans. Karen Jolly [At Univ. Hawaii].

• WEB For Arthurian texts, not collected here, see the Camelot Project and especially the Camelot Project Author Menu for beautifully presented, introduced, and annotated texts of:
  • The Alliterative Morte Arthure
  • Annales Cambriae (Annals of Wales), Arthurian References in (c. 960-980)
  • The Avowyng of Arthur
  • The Awntyrs off Arthur
  • The Carle of Carlisle
  • Culwch and Olwen (translated by Lady Charlotte Guest as Kilhwch and Olwen)
  • The Greene Knight
  • The Jeaste of Sir Gawain
  • King Arthur and King Cornwall
  • The Knightly Tale of Gologras and Gawain
  • Lancelot of the Laik
  • The Marriage of Sir Gawain
  • Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle
  • Sir Perceval of Galles
  • Sir Tristrem
  • Stanzaic Morte Arthur
  • The Turke and Sir Gawain
  • The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
  • A selection of post medieval-Arthurian literature [Tennyson, Emerson, Swinbourne and so on.]

• The Hildebrandslied 830s
  Full translation of the main suriving frangment of and Old High German poem.
• Formulas Concerning Ordeals.
• Ordeal of Boiling Water, 12th or 13th Century.
• The Nibelungenlied, OMACL full text. Originally written in Middle High German (M.H.G.), sometime around 1200 AD.
• The Story of Burnt Njal ("Njal's Saga"), OMACL full text. See Medieval Sourcebook: Full Texts Page for more sagas.

The Internet Medieval Sourcebook is part of the Internet History Sourcebooks Project. The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of  Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University.   Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.

© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 20 January 2021