The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of annals in Old English chronicling the history of Anglo-Saxons. It was in all probability inspired by Alfred, who himself may well have dictated some of the entries, more particularly those dealing with his own campaigns. It is extant in several manuscripts the most important being the A or Parker and the E or laud MSS. To the year 915 much of the material is common to most of the manuscripts through the relations of each an individual one of the others presents serious difficulties. Local events and miscellaneous items are introduced into the various versions and they also show clearly varying points of view in their attitude to events. They all end at different dates, the latest being 1154.

The literary quality of the early part of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is poor. The Annalist of 775, for example, had a very interesting  story of inter-tribal rivalry the story of Cynewulf and Osric of Deira (7th century AD) but does not give us a good narrative. By the 9th century, the language had developed a lot. The writers express themselves simply and clearly show skill in avoiding the monotony that is often found in mere Chronicles. At the time of king AEthelred, it reached great heights. By the 11th century, very good prose was being written. Had this development continued the 12th and 13th centuries would have produced great prose literature in English.



Location: India

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