Literary and Historical Importance of the Anglo-Saxon Choronicle.

    Literary and Historical Importance of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

 

 

Anglo-Saxon prose was to appear rather late, while Anglo Saxon

Poetry had a remote origin. The earliest recorded specimen of Anglo-

Saxon Prose is, however, the Anglo-Saxon chronicle or

Simply, the Chronicle. This is recognized as the most important

Monument of Anglo-Saxon prose, retaining an almost connected

Vernacular history from the middle of the 8^th century to the

Middle of the 12^th . it is  however,  not merely the collection of

some dry annals, but comprises some  exceedingly interesting

episodes and events of the land and the people.

 

                        The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, of course, was originally a loose

Dry monkish labour . It conrained, at first, nothing but the record

Of some important births and deaths in the West Saxon kingdom

And also some account of the war-fare of the Teutonic people. The

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle had a long existence as the specimen of

English prose Even after the Norman Conquest.The different

 Versions of the Chronicle such as the Winchester Annel and the

Worcester Annal continued  after the conquest. The former was

Supposed to cease in 1070, whereas the Warchester Annal

Continued up to 1107. The peterburrough Annals which emerged

From Worchester Annals continued to be written till 1160. The

Chronicle was suppose to continue, in some form or other, till

1154 and ceased to exist, perhaps, with the accession of Henry

the  Second.

 

The glorious carear of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is,

However, seen under Alfred’s patronage and guidance. Alfred,

Rightly complimented as the father of English prose, made a

Splendid enterprise  and endeavored to raise the Chronicle to the

Height of the national history of the English people. The great

King did much to enlarge the scant materials of the Chronicle to

Give them a proper form and a regular shape and to turn the

Chronicle to a full-fiedged history, beginning with Caesar’s

Conquest of England.

  But the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, as presented and improved

By Alfred, is not mere collection of chronological facts or

Historical events . It is a piece of literature, a grand specimen of

The earliest  Anglo-Saxon prose. A literary style, of course of

Varying degrees; is perceptible in the work. Thus the earlier part

Of the Chronicle is too factual , rather sluggish and dull, and has

Clearly no literary flavor. But the portion , dealing with the

Recorf of Alfrd’s reign, perhaps written by the king himself,

Seems to tbe a unique effort to preserve history in a splendid

Specimen of literature. Again there is presented, after this, the

Mere account of some bare entries, particularly  of church

Matters. No literary quality is noted here. The chronicle is,

However, found full and glowing during the last quarter of the

10^th  century. Certain stirring songs are found inserted in the

Narrative such as The Battle of the Brunanburh and The Battle of

Maldon. This clearly brings out how the literary style in the

 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is varied.

 

     After all, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was not the work of a

Single hand or of a single place, and as such , it .What, however, may

Remain glaringly pleasant is that the Chronicle definitely

 indicates the growth of the prose style of the Anglo-Saxon people.      

    

 

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, in fact is important not as a

Particular literary achievement to the English people. Its value

Is inestimable as an authoritative record of the very early and

Almost little known Anglo-Saxon period as also  the milrstone of the

Literary and cultural achievement of the English people.its value

Is inestimable as an authoritative record of the very early and

Almost little known Anglo-Saxon period as also the nature of the

Growth as well as thisorld.ansion of theprose style of the Anglo-Saxon

People. It presents the age and the people, with utmost veracity,

And has a social and cultural value. It provides a modern reader

With a diverting peep into the far-off, remote past of which

Nothing is distinctly known. The Chronicle is also a grand and

Interesting record of the development of English prose and

Remains a provocative study for all philological and linguistic

Scholars.

                            Short  Question

1.Q. What is Anglo – Saxon Chronicle? Briefly dwell on its importance.

 

The Anglo-Saxon chronicle is a chronological record of events in England from the beginning of the Christian era to the middle of the twelfth century It was compiled at different monasteries, and there are seven manuscripts Available. The first history of any branch of Teutonic people, it contains chiefly entries of events which each year impressed the clerical recorder as very Important in the history of the nation. The work remains the principalHistorical document of those times. Among the brief, dry notices of the earlier part, the tragic narrative  Cynewulf and Cyneheart stand out conspicuously. The systematic plan of Registering national events in the people is ascribed to kingAlfred. He has himself given vivid accounts of the struggle with the Danes in 890’s. Beside its value as a hihistorical and social document of the time.TheChronicle also has literary and linguistic significances. Though its literary merit Is unequal due to the involvement of several hands in the composition, it is The greatest prose-work of the Anglo-Saxon period, and the best known. ItAffords a complete illustration in itself of the development of the Old EnglishProse, and also contains the heroic poem The Battle of Brunanburh. So, itsDistinction is equal to that of Beowulf. Moreover, changes in the orthography Of the English language are exemplified in the Chronicle: the late Old English Of the tenth century almost changes to Middle English before the narrative Comes to an end.

 

Q.Who was the inspiration and mainstay of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle? Which famous poems are found in it?

Ans: king Alfred was the inspiration and mainstay of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the first historical record of important national events. It also includeSome famous poems like The Battle of Brunanburh.

Q.3. When was the battle of Brunanburh fought, and the poem on It composed? What was its theme?

The historical battle of Brunanburh took place in the year 937, and The 73-line poem celebrating the victory of the West Saxon dynasty was Composed in the same year. It deals with heroic triumph of King Athelstan And his very young brother Edmund over the combined invading forces of King Constantine III of Scotland, King Owen of Stratchcyde, and Olaf of Dublin, leader of the Norsemen of eastern Ireland.

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