Age of Alfred

Rethinking English Literary Culture c. 850-950

Edited by Amy Faulkner Edited by Francis Leneghan

Book cover: Age of Alfred

Extent: 598 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: Studies in Old English Literature

Series volume number: 3

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(June 2024)

ISBN: 9782503606651

Price: $175.00

In stock

Explores recent developments and debates, and showcases new directions in research, in relation to a key figure in English literary history: Alfred the Great.


King Alfred the Great (r. 871-899) remains a key figure in English literary history. Although his reputation as a scholar who was personally responsible for the translation of a number of Latin works is no longer secure, the figure of the wise king nevertheless casts a long shadow over vernacular writing from the late ninth century through to the twelfth. This volume takes stock of recent developments and debates in the field of Alfredian scholarship and showcases new directions in research. Individual chapters consider how English authors before, during, and after Alfred’s reign translated and adapted Latin works, often in innovative and imaginative ways. Other contributions provide new contexts and connections for Alfredian writing, highlighting the work of Mercian scholars and expanding the corpus beyond the works traditionally attributed to the king himself. Together, these essays force us to rethink what we mean by ‘Alfredian’ and to revise the literary history of the ‘long ninth century’.

  • Edited by Amy Faulkner
  • Edited by Francis Leneghan