3.2 why did a choose only certain key texts to translate? Flashcards
What was Alfred’s Jewel called?
What was it made up of?
What was it designed to do?
-Astel
-Made up of expensive materials e.g. gold, emerald (detailed design)
-His astel was designed to point
Who did Alfred send his jewel to?
What would he send his jewel with?
Where was the jewel originally found?
-Sent astel to anyone who he thought was important e.g. bishops, ealdormen
-Sent translation books with astels (books were hand-made>time-consuming)
-Athelney
Overall, Alfred’s jewel (astel) was very valuable,what is this a sign to?
Something so mundane (ordinary)
What are Alfred’s 7 key translations (propaganda)?
*=important
-Gregory’s Pastoral Rule
-Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy
-St Augustine’s Soliliquies
-Book of Psalms
-Gregory’s Dialogues
-Orosius’s Histories Against the Pagans
-Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of English People
Is *Gregory’s Pastoral Rule edited?
What did it become a general text for?
What did this translation act as?
What did it highlight? (2)
-No, Gregory is very influential, people will know if he does.
-Became a general text for those who held positions of authority e.g. Alfred
-Acted as a code of conduct for the people of the Kingdom to follow
-Highlighted 2 key principles: live morally upright lives and to teach others
Is Boethius’s Consultation of Philosophy edited?
Where was it written?
Who was he?
What did it contain?
Is it reliable?
-Yes, Alfred changed and added his beliefs
-Written whilst in prison for alleged treason
-Member of the Roman nobilaty who obtained the important position of ‘master of the offices’
-Contained a telling message about the need to move from situations of self-pity
-*Needs caution, not clear to whether Alfred did write this or whether it was added to his translation
Is *St Augustine’s Soliliquies edited?
Who did this influence?
What was it used for?
-Yes, most edited text Alfred has
-Writings influenced a number of Western, Christian leaders
-Alfred used this to express his own views about God
What does the Book of Psalms confirm?
Who wrote introductions?
What was there an emphasis on?
What did this translation act as?
-Assers observations confirm the view that Alfred was devoutly religious
-Alfred wrote introductions to each Psalm
-Emphasises how Alfred showed faith in God>defeated the Viking enemy
-Psalter (book of Psalms) acted as a Latin primer for priests, became a reading book, they could learn how Latin was written
Who was Gregory’s Dialogue written by?What did it highlight?
What did it invite?
-Written by Bishop of Wocestor, same person as Pastoral rules
-Highlights the importance of the lives of Italian saints
-Inviting Viking merchants>preparation for attack
Who was Orosius’s Histories Against the Pagans written by?
What was it translated into?
What did it show?
-Written by Spanish Christian priest
-Translated into Old English but wasn’t promoted by the King
-Wanted to show that the adoption of Christianity led to moral improvement
How was Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People originally written?
How is this translation unique?
What did it show the development of?
What did it provide?
-Originally written in Latin
-Only English writer Alfred translates
-Showed the development of the Christian Church in England
-Provided an account of a 17th century England that was stable and when England was in harmony
