<P> Old English literature or Anglo - Saxon literature , encompasses literature written in Old English , in Anglo - Saxon England from the 7th century to the decades after the Norman Conquest of 1066 . `` Cædmon 's Hymn '' , composed in the 7th century , according to Bede , is often considered the oldest extant poem in English , whereas the later poem , The Grave is one of the final poems written in Old English , and presents a transitional text between Old and Middle English . The Peterborough Chronicle can also be considered a late - period text , continuing into the 12th century . </P>
<P> Old English literature or Anglo - Saxon literature , encompasses literature written in Old English , in Anglo - Saxon England from the 7th century to the decades after the Norman Conquest of 1066 . `` Cædmon 's Hymn '' , composed in the 7th century , according to Bede , is often considered the oldest extant poem in English , whereas the later poem , The Grave is one of the final poems written in Old English , and presents a transitional text between Old and Middle English . The Peterborough Chronicle can also be considered a late - period text , continuing into the 12th century . </P>
what was the first literature of the anglo-saxons
what was the first literature of the anglo-saxons
`` Cædmon 's Hymn ''
`` Cædmon 's Hymn ''