Illustrations of damnation in late Anglo-Saxon manuscripts
Sarah Semple
‘Many tribulations and hardships shall arise in this world before its end, they are heralds of the eternal perdition to evil men, who afterwards suffer eternally black hell for their sins.’ These words, composed by Ælfric last decade tenth century, reflect a preoccupation late Anglo-Saxon Church with infernal punishments that awaited sinners heathens. Perhaps stimulated part anxiety at approach millennium, both Wulfstan (archbishop York, 1002–23) show an overt concern continuation paganism deeds mankind sermons homilies. Their works stress terrible judgement heathens torment follow. The Viking raids incursions, during eighth ninth centuries, partially inspired great apparent ecclesiastical leadership. Not only were these events perceived as divine punishment lack religious devotion fervour English people, but arrival Scandinavian settlers century may have reintroduced pagan practice belief into England.
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