Anglo-Saxon Spirituality: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality (Paper))

Rating:
Summary: Time Travel Made Easy
Review: This is a surprising and delightful collection which offers us a unique glimpse into the minds and hearts of recent converts to Christianity in the late dark ages and early medieval period. The anthology includes sermons, homilies and poems written by Anglo-Saxons and provides surprising variety, from practical contemplations on what it means to be Christian by following the examples of John the Baptist, to the highly mystical and symbolic Dream of the Rood. The selections are surprisingly readable, so much so that I refrained from giving this book the highest rating, so skeptical I am of the translations of the Old English. Nevertheless, the manuscript notes provide valuable information regarding usage and etymologies as well as scriptural references.