The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology (Oxford World's Classics)
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
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Crossley-Holland--the widely acclaimed translator of Old English texts--introduces the Anglo-Saxons through their chronicles, laws, letters, charters, and poetry, with many of the greatest surviving poems printed in their entirety.Tags
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A wide selection of poetry, epic battle literature, charms, letters, laws charters and almost everything else from the Anglo-Saxon age.I have only read parts of the entire compilation of works in the anthology.
The content is hugely varied, ranging from Beowulf to letters from the Pope to Saxon Kings, and naughty riddles, including my favourite short poem ‘The Wanderer’ in which a Warrior laments the loss of the brotherhood of his friends and fellowship of the Mead-hall after the death of his Lord.
The version of the poem included in this book did seem to be a bit of an over-literal translation in some places which appeared to detract from the poetic style but it is still and excellent introduction to the fascinating civilization of show more the Anglo Saxons.
My only gripe is that the author did not include a sampling of the works of Alcuin of York (which I would love to read) or extracts from Bede’s ‘On the Reckoning of Time’ especially as the Latter text clearly demonstrates that as early as the 7th century medieval people knew the earth was round. show less
The content is hugely varied, ranging from Beowulf to letters from the Pope to Saxon Kings, and naughty riddles, including my favourite short poem ‘The Wanderer’ in which a Warrior laments the loss of the brotherhood of his friends and fellowship of the Mead-hall after the death of his Lord.
The version of the poem included in this book did seem to be a bit of an over-literal translation in some places which appeared to detract from the poetic style but it is still and excellent introduction to the fascinating civilization of show more the Anglo Saxons.
My only gripe is that the author did not include a sampling of the works of Alcuin of York (which I would love to read) or extracts from Bede’s ‘On the Reckoning of Time’ especially as the Latter text clearly demonstrates that as early as the 7th century medieval people knew the earth was round. show less
A lovely, diverse collection of Anglo-Saxon writings translated by Kevin Crossley-Holland, including Beowulf, a collection of Heroic Poems, Elegies, Church writings, Laws, portions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Poems of Exploration, some riddles from the Exeter Book and other odds-and-ends. The translations are clear and accessible and each section is preceded by a commentary which puts the Anglo-Saxon texts into context. This collection provides a picture of the people who migrated to the British Isles as pagans and became Christians within a few centuries.
finally finished this one last night. I must admit that it took me a while, but it was worth it.
I read it after finishing this books earlier this year: http://bookcrossing.com/journal/1890116
So, comparing it with the previous collection of Anglo-Saxon work, here's my feelings:
Pros:
Contains more than just poetry - lots other stuff I hadn't read, like sermons, charters, letters, history, etc.
Nice job at establishing the setting for each work including
Contains all of Beowulf, not just selected parts, unlike the first book above
Easy to read and understand
Cons:
No glossary or explanantion of difficult terms in the back
A little too easy to understand - it's like the difference between the newer translations of the Bible and the King James show more Version. The language may be more familiar, but some of the poetry and complexity of meaning is lost. The translation on some of the poems was stronger in the first book.
Still, really worth reading and a definite keeper.
CMB show less
I read it after finishing this books earlier this year: http://bookcrossing.com/journal/1890116
So, comparing it with the previous collection of Anglo-Saxon work, here's my feelings:
Pros:
Contains more than just poetry - lots other stuff I hadn't read, like sermons, charters, letters, history, etc.
Nice job at establishing the setting for each work including
Contains all of Beowulf, not just selected parts, unlike the first book above
Easy to read and understand
Cons:
No glossary or explanantion of difficult terms in the back
A little too easy to understand - it's like the difference between the newer translations of the Bible and the King James show more Version. The language may be more familiar, but some of the poetry and complexity of meaning is lost. The translation on some of the poems was stronger in the first book.
Still, really worth reading and a definite keeper.
CMB show less
A good introduction to the Anglo-Saxon sensibility, kennings included.
Anglo-Saxon history through the translated writings of the time, literature and letters. Somewhat ponderous to read, but worthwhile if you are interested in the time period.
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Author Information
128+ Works 11,727 Members
Kevin Crossley-Holland is a well-known poet, a prize-winning children's author, and a translator. Crossley-Holland has translated Beowulf and The Exeter Book of Riddles from the Anglo-Saxon. He has collaborated with composers Nicola Lefanu (The Green Children and The Wildman), Rupert Bawden (The Sailor's Tale), Sir Arthur Bliss, William Mathias, show more and Stephen Paulus. Crossley-Holland's book The Seeing Stone won the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal, and the Tir na n-Og Award. The trilogy has won critical acclaim and been translated into twenty-five languages. His recent and forthcoming books are The Hidden Roads: A Memoir of Childhood, Bracelet of Bones and his new and selected poems The Mountains of Norfolk. Crossley-Holland often lectures abroad on behalf of the British Council and offers poetry and prose workshops and talks on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, King Arthur, heroines and heroes, and myth, legend and folk-tale. Kevin Crossley-Holland is an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford, a patron of the Society for Storytelling, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He lives on the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia with his wife and children. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Contains
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1982
- People/Characters
- Grendel; Beowulf; Alfred the Great; Byrhtnoth/Beorhtnoth, Earl of Essex, died at Maldon; Wulfstan, Archbishop of York; Waldere (show all 12); Wihtred, King of Kent; Cnut the Great; Wiglaf; Caedmon; Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (Saint, c634 | 687); Bede, 673-735 (Saint, Doctor of the Church, 673-735)
- Important places
- England, UK
- Important events
- Battle of Maldon; Battle of Brunanburh; Anglo Saxon period
- Epigraph
- I warmly welcome... your eager desire to know something of the doings and sayings of great men of the past, and of our own nation in particular.
Bede
When I remembered how the knowledge of Latin had formerly decayed throughout England, and yet many could read English writing, I began, amongst other various and manifold troubles of this kingdom, to translate into English... (show all)... sometimes word by word, and sometimes according to the sense...
Alfred
We dare not lengthen this book much more, lest it be out of moderation and stir up men's antipathy because of its size.
Ælfric - Dedication
- for Gillian
- First words
- INTRODUCTION
It is almost one thousand years since the Anglo-Saxons were shattered at the Battle of Hastings.
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- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.94)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 6
- UPCs
- 1
