Abbot of Eynsham Aelfric
The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church
Containing the Sermones Catholici, or Homilies of Ælfric, in the Original Anglo-Saxon, with an English Version. Volume I.
"The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church" by the Abbot of Eynsham Aelfric is a collection of sermons written in the early 11th century. The work is significant as it presents the teachings and doctrines of the Anglo-Saxon Church through a series of homilies, aimed at the lay audience to educate them in the Christian faith. The text is presented in the original Anglo-Saxon language alongside an English translation, which makes it an important resource for both historical and linguistic studies. At the start of the text, Aelfric introduces himself and explains his motivation for translating these homilies into English, emphasizing the need for clear and accessible religious education for those who speak the vernacular. The opening sermon focuses on the creation narrative, detailing the nature of God as the Almighty Creator and recounting the story of Adam and Eve, their disobedience, and the consequences that followed. Aelfric's work illuminates the theological principles of the time and reflects the concerns of the Anglo-Saxon Church regarding faith, morality, and the eternal fate of humanity.