Beyond the Obvious: Ælfric and the Authority of Bede
Joyce Hill
In 989, two years after he had transferred from the cathedral monastery of Old Minster Winchester, that great powerhouse Anglo-Saxon Benedictine Reform, to much more modest Cerne Abbas in Dorset, Ælfric, then only a monk and masspriest, wrote letter Sigeric, Archbishop Canterbury. As was appropriate for one ecclesiastic another, this Latin, tone suitably deferential humble. But contents manuscript which covering Latin sought explain justify departed normal practice. What Ælfric sending Sigeric effect commending him collection forty homilies, mostly on gospel lections day, organized according cycle church's year, written English. On face it, might not seem be innovative since preachers use vernacular, all, when addressing lay congregations. what done produce systematic texts vernacular embodied patristically-based traditions were characteristic Reform as known it at Winchester. The reformers’ adoption these traditions, following example Carolingian inspired one, same aim did Carolingians: improve standards scholarship within monasteries educational centres day; eliminate error by going back authorities; thus long run raise teaching preaching church whole.