Translatio Imperii: The Old English Orosius and the Rise of Wessex
Francis Leneghan
This article argues that the Old English Orosius, a work traditionally viewed as product of educational reforms King Alfred Wessex (r. 871–899), can be constructively read in relation to developments Anglo-Saxon political thought early tenth well late ninth centuries. The earliest extant manuscript Orosius was probably copied at Winchester century by same scribe responsible for entries and MS A Chronicle. section Chronicle charts both break-up Carolingian Empire conquests his successors, Edward Elder Æthelstan, over various kings peoples Britain. Treating reports Ohthere Wulfstan contained geographical preface an integral part text it century, rather than extraneous interpolation, I suggest this passage invites readers consider rapidly expanding West Saxon kingdom great empires which preceded it. then outline how translator refashioned Orosius’s ‘universal history’ into imperial history is more directly concerned with Rome’s long difficult rise its fall Goths 410. conclude might have encouraged tenth-century interpret recent overlordship Britain ongoing process translatio imperii, transference or succession empires, contingent on Christian virtue rulers.
Anglia|Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) (University of Oxford)