Esoteric knowledge
Andy Orchard
The esoteric learning of England before 1200 is enshrined in an extensive manuscript record that, while it exhibits significant losses as a result Viking depredations and later looting loss, if appears dramatically broken-backed its relative reflection Latin vernacular texts after the pivotal reign King Alfred Great (871–99), nonetheless demonstrates consistent continuing interest hidden obscure throughout period. fact that Aldhelm (who died 709/10), writing late seventh century, should quote from anonymous treatise on animal noises also late-tenth-century manuscript, Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O. 1. 18 (1042), with strong associations Archbishop Dunstan Canterbury 988), pertinent this regard be directly linked composite Oxford, Bodleian Library, Auctarium F.4.32 (2176), contains, alongside material Breton Welsh, notes weights measures Greek Latin, runic alphabet extract Ovid's Ars amatoria (Art love). otherwise attested (likely second-hand!) by Bede, who 735, Wulfstan Winchester early eleventh century) further England, namely Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, 2410 (a around year 1000), which contains two lines odd catch-all collection diverse lore (including works poets Juvencus, Caelius Sedulius, Odo Cluny Alcuin, well as, for example, litany Sanctus, numbers letters poem Four Keys Wisdom) characterizes comprehensiveness English interests.
Cambridge University Press eBooks