Ælfric and Smaragdus
Joyce Hill
In his Latin preface to the First Series of Catholic Homilies , Ælfric lists six source authors: Augustine, Jerome, Bede, Gregory, Smaragdus and Haymo. The fact that Haymo is named in a phrase own at end, ‘et aliquando Haymonem’, specified as being used ‘aliquando’, suggests he was some sense supplementary source, modern studies have tended confirm. Smaragdus, by contrast, stands with Bede Gregory if Ælfric, thinking back over work had done for found useful others consulted him about frequently. Yet it puzzling identified very little material drawn from Smaragdus's exegetical Expositio libri comitis . It possible, course, Ælfric's claim unjustified, but although medieval writers often made false claims, did not habitually do so; on contrary, conscious relationship authoritative sources and, when an authority, claims were usually reliable contemporary traditions allowed.
Anglo-Saxon England