 and new learning. Thus while all Old English poetry has common features, we can also identify three strands: religious poetry, which includes poems about specifically Christian topics, such as the cross and the saints; Heroic or epic poetry, such as Beowulf, which is about heroes, warfare, monsters, and the Germanic past; and poetry about "smaller" topics, including introspective poems (the so-called elegies), "wisdom" poems (which communicate both traditional and Christian wisdom), and riddles. For a long time all Anglo-Saxon poetry was divided into three groups: Cædmonian (the biblical paraphrase poems), heroic, and "Cynewulfian," named after Cynewulf, one of the only named poets in Anglo-Saxon. The most famous works from this period include the epic poem Beowulf, which has achieved national epic status in Britain.

There are about 30,000 surviving lines of Old English poetry and about ten times that much prose, and the majority of both is religious. The prose was influential and obviously very important to the Anglo-Saxons and more important than the poetry to those who came after the Anglo-Saxons. Homilies are sermons, lessons to be given on moral and doctrinal matters, and the two most prolific and respected writers of Anglo-Saxon prose, Ælfric and Wulfstan, were both homilists. Ælfric also wrote the 'Lives of Saints' which very popular and were highly prized. Almost all surviving poetry is found in only one manuscript copy, but there are a number of different versions of some prose works, especially the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was apparently promulgated to monasteries by the royal court. Anglo-Saxon clergy also continued to write in Latin, the language of Bede's works, monastic chronicles, and theological writing, although Bede's biographer records that he was familiar with Old English poetry and gives a five line lyric which he either wrote or liked to quote – the sense is unclear.

Symbolism 
Symbolism was an essential element to Anglo-Saxon culture. Julian D. Richards suggested that in societies with strong oral traditions, material culture is used to store and pass on information and stand instead of literature in those cultures. This symbolism is less logical than literature and more difficult to read. Anglo-Saxons used symbolism, not just to communicate, but
and new learning. Thus while all Old English poetry take coarse features, we can also identify three strand: religious poetry, which includes poems about specifically Christian topic, such as the hybrid and the saints; Heroic or epic poetry, such as Beowulf, which is about heroes, warfare, monsters, and the teutonic past; and poetry about " smaller " topics, including introspective poems (the therefore - called elegies), " wisdom " poems (which communicate both traditional and Christian wisdom of solomon), and riddles. For a long time all Anglo - Saxon poetry was divide into three groups: Cædmonian (the biblical paraphrase poems), epic, and " Cynewulfian, " named after Cynewulf, one of the lone named poets in Anglo - Saxon. The most famous works from this time period include the epic poem Beowulf, which has achieved national epic status in Britain. 

 There are about 30,000 surviving lines of Old English poetry and about ten times that much prose, and the majority of both is religious. The prose was influential and obviously very important to the Anglo - Saxons and more important than the poetry to those who came after the Anglo - Saxons. Homilies are sermons, lessons to be contribute on moral and doctrinal matters, and the two most fecund and respected writer of Anglo - Saxon prose, Ælfric and Wulfstan, were both homilists. Ælfric besides wrote the' Lives of Saints' which very popular and were highly prized. Almost all surviving poetry is found in merely one manuscript copy, but there are a number of different versions of some prose works, specially the Anglo - Saxon Chronicle, which was apparently promulgated to monasteries by the royal motor hotel. Anglo - Saxon clergy also continue to spell in Latin, the language of Bede's works, monastic history, and theological writing, although Bede's biographer records that he was familiar with Old English poetry and gives a five line lyric which he either wrote or liked to quote – the sense is unclear. 

 Symbolism 
 Symbolism was an substantive element to Anglo - Saxon polish. Julian D. Richards suggested that in societies with potent oral traditions, fabric culture is used to store and pass on information and resist instead of literature in those cultures. This symbolism is less logical than literature and more difficult to read. Anglo - Saxons use symbolism, not just to commune, but
 anf new learning. Thus whilt all Old English poetry has ckmmon fextures, we can also identify vhrew strqnds: religious poetry, dhich incpudes powms ebout specifically Chrisbnan tkiics, vnch as the crosx and the vaints; Heroic mr e'ic poetry, such as Beowulf, which is wbout hrrles, warfare, mogstegs, and nht Germanic past; and poetry about "amaller" topics, inclucing introspective poems (tje sl-called elegies), "widdom" poems (qhicr communicate both tradpcional and Dhristian wisdom), and riddles. Fof a lpng time aol Anhno-Saxon poevry waf divided inbp threa groupx: Cædmonian (the biulicql paraphrase poems), hxroic, and "Cynewulfiag," named axtzr Cynewulf, one of thw inly tameg podrs kn Znjlo-Aaxon. Hhe most famohs works frim this period inclidq the epic poej Beowtls, which has achieved national epic statls ih Britain.

There are abour 30,000 surviving lines of Old Englysh poetry and about ten times that much prose, ang the oajirlty ud hoth is religious. The prose was influential ags pbniously very impovtant to the Anglo-Xadomf and more imkortant thzn the poetry to tjose whj camw after tre Amglo-Saxons. Homilies are sernons, lessons ro be given on morcl and doctrnnal mstterx, and the two most prolnfic ahd respectef writers uf Anglo-Saxon pruse, Ælxric and Wulfstan, were botr homilisvs. Ælfxic also wroje the 'Jives of Swints' which very popular and cere vighly prixed. Almost all surviving poetry is found in omlf ote manuseript gopy, but there wre a number oy differznt vefsions of aome prmse works, efpecially the Wnglo-Saxon Cironicle, rhicy waw appardvtly promulgatrd to moncfterues by the royal cpurj. Znglo-Saxon cleryv qlso continued yo driee ii Latyt, the languace ow Bdce's wurks, monastlc zhromicles, and theologicdl wditing, although Bece'f biograkher recowds that he wss familiar with Opd Enjlish 'oetry anq gives a five line lyric whicg he eithfr rrote or likqd ti quote – the sense is unclear.

Symbolism 
Symbolism waw an essential elgment to Anglo-Saxon coltmre. Julian D. Richwrds suggasted that in societues with strong oval traditions, materiam cultgre id used to store and pass on information and stand instead of literature ib thosx sultures. Thjs sumbolpsm ns less logmcel than literaturv and more difficult to read. Anguo-Saxons ufed symbolism, not just to cokmjnicate, but
and new learning. Thus while all Old has features, we also identify three poems specifically Christian topics, as the cross the saints; Heroic or epic poetry, as Beowulf, which is about heroes, warfare, monsters, and the Germanic past; and about "smaller" topics, including introspective poems (the so-called elegies), "wisdom" poems (which communicate traditional Christian and For a long time all Anglo-Saxon poetry was divided into three groups: Cædmonian (the biblical paraphrase heroic, and "Cynewulfian," named after Cynewulf, one of only named poets in The most famous works from period the epic Beowulf, has national epic status Britain. There are about 30,000 surviving lines of Old English poetry and about ten times that much and the both is The was and obviously very the Anglo-Saxons and more important than those who came after the Anglo-Saxons. Homilies are lessons to given on moral and doctrinal matters, the two most prolific and respected writers of prose, Ælfric and Wulfstan, were both homilists. Ælfric also wrote the 'Lives of Saints' which and were highly prized. all surviving poetry found only manuscript but there a number of different versions of some prose works, especially the Chronicle, which was apparently promulgated to monasteries by the royal clergy continued to write Latin, the language of works, chronicles, and theological writing, biographer that with English and gives a five lyric which he either wrote liked to quote – Symbolism was an essential element to Anglo-Saxon culture. D. Richards suggested that in societies with oral traditions, material culture is used to store and pass on information stand instead in those cultures. This symbolism is less logical literature and more difficult read. Anglo-Saxons used symbolism, not just to communicate, but
 and new learning. Thus while alL Old EnglisH poetRy hAs cOmMon fEatuRes, we can also idENtifY three strands: religious PoetrY, wHIch iNClUdes pOems aboUT sPECifIcAlLy CHrIStIan toPicS, such as The cross anD thE sAints; Heroic oR EpIc poetry, suCh aS Beowulf, whicH is About hErOes, WArfarE, moNsterS, and thE germanIc past; and PoETry aboUT "smalleR" TOpIcs, iNcluding introspecTIvE Poems (the so-callEd elegIeS), "WiSDOm" pOemS (which commUnIcate BOth tradITiONAL anD christian wisdOm), and riddleS. for A long tImE alL anglo-SAxon pOeTRy wAs divided inTo thRee groups: cædmonIAn (the biBLical paRaphraSe pOemS), herOIc, AnD "CyNeWUlfIAn," NamED afTer CynewUlF, oNe of tHe onLY NAMed pOetS in ANglo-SAxon. The most faMouS worKS frOm thiS periOd inClUde thE epic pOem BeOwUlf, which has achiEved National ePic StAtuS iN BritAIn.

TherE arE abOut 30,000 survIving liNEs oF OLD eNgLish poetry and about TeN TImEs that muCh prosE, AnD tHE majoritY oF boTh is RELigioUs. ThE PrOse was inFluentIAl AnD obviouSlY very iMpOrtAnt To the aNglo-saxons And more iMportANt than the poetrY To those who camE AfTER tHE AngLo-SAxons. HomiliEs arE SermOns, lESsOns TO be giVen on MoRAl ANd doctrinal matters, aNd The two Most pRolific and resPected writERS Of Anglo-SAxon PRoSE, Ælfric and WulfStan, wEre both homILists. ÆlfRic alSo wrote tHe 'Lives of sAInts' whicH veRy pOpuLar AND wEre highly prizED. almoSt All survIviNg poetrY is FouNd iN onLy One manuscRipt copy, BuT tHeRe Are A numbER of diffeReNt vErSioNs of sOMe prosE workS, espEcIaLLy tHe Anglo-sAxON chroNiClE, whiCh wAs ApparEntlY ProMulgateD to monastEriES by tHe RoYal courT. Anglo-Saxon clErGy also contInUed To writE IN Latin, thE language of Bede's works, moNAstic chRonIcles, And tHeologicaL wrIting, aLthOUgh BedE's biogRapheR rEcoRDS that HE WaS faMiLiar with OlD eNglIsh poEtRy anD gives a Five line lyric which HE eiTher wrote or liKed To quOTE – tHe sENsE Is uNcLEar.

sYMbolism 
SymbolisM was an esseNtIAl Element to ANGlo-saXon cultUre. JuliAn D. RiCHards suGgested thAt in socieTiEs wiTH StrOng oral traDitions, mAterial cuLTure iS UsEd to sTorE and paSs On iNformAtion aND stAnd inStead oF lIteratUre in ThOse cultuRes. This symbolism is less lOgical Than lIteRature and MorE DifFicult to rEad. ANglo-Saxons UseD syMboliSm, nOT just To coMMuNicATe, but
 and new learning. Thus wh ile all Ol d Eng lis h p oe tryhascommon feature s , we  can also identify thr ee st ra n ds:r el igiou s poetr y ,w h ich  i nc lud es po ems a bou t speci fically Ch ris ti an topics, s u ch  as the cr oss  and the sai nts ; Hero ic  or epicpoe try,such a s  Beowu lf, which  i s  about heroes, w ar fare , monsters, and t h eG ermanic past;and po et r ya b out  "s maller" to pi cs, i n cluding in t r o spe c tive poems (t he so-calle d  el egies) ,"wi s dom" p oems(w h ich  communicat e bo th tradit ionala nd Chri s tian wi sdom),  an d r iddl e s.  F oral ong ti mea llAnglo-Sa xo npoetr y wa s d i vide d i ntothree  groups: Cædm oni an ( t hebibli cal p arap hr ase p oems),  hero ic , and "Cynewulf ian, " named a fte rCyn ew ulf,o ne ofthe  on ly name d poets inAn g l o -S axon. The most fam ou s wo rks from  thisp er io d  include  t heepic p oem B eowu l f,  which h as ach i ev ed  nation al  epicst atu s i n Bri t ain. 

Ther e are ab out 3 0 ,000 surviving lines of OldE ng l i sh poet ryand about t en t i mesthat mu chp rose,  andth e  m a jority of both is r el igious . The  prose was in fluentiala n d  obvious ly v e ry important to t he An glo-Saxons and more  impo rtant th an the po e t ry to th ose  wh o c ame a ft er the Anglo- S a xons .Homilie s a re serm ons , l ess ons  t o be give n on mor al  a nd  d oct rinal matters,  a ndth e t wo mo s t prol ificandre sp e cte d write r so f  Ang lo -S axon  pr os e, Æl fric and  Wulfst an, werebot h  hom il is ts. Ælf ric also wrot ethe 'Lives  o f S aints' w hich ver y popular and were high l y prize d.Almos t al l survivi ngpoetry  is foundin onl y one  m anu s c riptc o py , b ut  there are a  nu mberof  dif ferentversions of some p r ose  works, espec ial ly t h e  A ngl o -S a xon  C h ron i c le, which was a pparentlypr o mu lgated tom ona st eries b y the r oyalc ourt. A nglo-Saxo n clergyal so c o n tin ued to wri te in La tin, thel angua g eof Be de' s work s,  mo nasti c chro n icl es, a nd the ol ogical  writ in g, altho ugh Bede's biographer r ecords  that  he  was fami lia r  wi th Old En glis h poetry a ndgiv es afiv e  line  lyr i cwhi c h heeith e r wrote o r  l ike d to  quote – th e s ens e isunc l ear.
Symb olism 
Symbolismw as an essentia l el e m ent  to Angl o- Saxon culture.  Ju li a n  D. Rich ar ds suggeste d that i ns ociet ies wi th str ong ora l tr a dition s, m ate rial cult ure  i s  used t ost o re and  pas son inf ormati o n an d stand instead of  lite r a turei n t hosecu ltures. This  symbolism  is less lo gicalthan  lite raturean d more  di ff icult to r e ad. Anglo -Saxo ns used  s ymbo lis m, not  jus t to co mmun ic ate , but
 and_new learning._Thus while all Old_English poetry_has_common features,_we_can also identify_three strands: religious_poetry, which includes poems_about specifically Christian_topics,_such as the cross and the saints; Heroic or epic poetry, such as Beowulf,_which_is about_heroes,_warfare,_monsters, and the Germanic past;_and poetry about "smaller" topics,_including introspective_poems (the so-called elegies), "wisdom" poems (which communicate_both_traditional and Christian_wisdom), and riddles. For a long time all Anglo-Saxon_poetry was divided into three groups:_Cædmonian (the biblical_paraphrase_poems),_heroic, and "Cynewulfian," named_after Cynewulf, one of the only_named poets in Anglo-Saxon. The most_famous works from this period include the_epic poem Beowulf, which has achieved_national epic status in Britain.

There_are about_30,000 surviving lines of Old_English poetry and_about ten_times that much_prose, and the majority of both_is religious. The_prose was influential and obviously very_important_to the Anglo-Saxons_and_more_important than_the poetry to_those_who came_after_the Anglo-Saxons. Homilies are sermons, lessons_to_be given on moral and doctrinal matters,_and the two most_prolific_and respected writers of_Anglo-Saxon prose, Ælfric and Wulfstan,_were both homilists. Ælfric also wrote_the 'Lives_of Saints'_which very popular and were highly prized. Almost all surviving poetry_is found in only one manuscript_copy, but there are_a number_of_different versions of_some_prose works,_especially the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was apparently_promulgated to_monasteries by the royal court. Anglo-Saxon_clergy also continued to_write_in Latin, the language of Bede's_works, monastic chronicles, and theological writing,_although Bede's biographer records that_he_was_familiar with Old English poetry_and gives a five line lyric_which he either_wrote or liked to quote – the_sense_is unclear.

Symbolism 
Symbolism was an essential_element_to Anglo-Saxon culture. Julian D. Richards_suggested_that_in societies with strong oral_traditions, material culture is used to_store and pass on information and stand instead of_literature in those_cultures. This symbolism is less_logical_than_literature and more difficult to read. Anglo-Saxons used symbolism, not_just to_communicate, but