The Anglo-Saxon Seminar: The Vercelli Book
Thomas N. Hall
currently teaching at the University of Notre Dame
The focus of this seminar was the literature of the 10th century Vercelli Book, an anthology of Old English homilies and poems including Andreas, Elene, and The Dream of the Rood. In addition to recurrent problems involving language, form and audience, topics for discussion will include the cult of the cross, the literary repercussions of the Benedictine reform, the development of the Old English sermon, aspects of literacy in 10th century England, the role of hagiographic and apocryphal literature in shaping Anglo-Saxon religious practices, and the connections between Old English and Old Irish literature.
Learn more about Center for Renaissance Studies programs for graduate students.