History of English Prose
1. Earliest English Prose:
- The first English prose work was King Aethelbert of Kent’s law code,
written after St. Augustine arrived in 597 AD.
2. 9th Century English Prose:
- Prose writing in English began in the 9th century, especially after King
Alfred worked to improve English learning. He translated several works into
English.
3. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:
- This book records major historical events, like the Danish Wars and the
Norman Conquest.
4. Aelfric of Winchester:
- Aelfric, a student of Aethelwold, was a famous writer in the 10th century.
His popular work, “Homilies”, was widely read.
5. King Alfred’s Translations:
- King Alfred translated “Consolation of Philosophy” by Boethius into
English.
6. Competition from Other Languages:
- English had to compete with Latin and Anglo-Norman for literary
dominance.
7. 14th Century Prose:
- In the 14th century, writers like Richard Rolle became popular. Some of his
works include “The Commandment”, “Meditations on the Passion”, and “The
Form of Perfect Living”.
8. Middle English Prose:
- The Middle English period (14th century) was a time of growth for English
prose, especially with many translations.
9. Popular Translations:
- “The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ” by Nicholas Love is one
example of translated work.
10. Shift in Themes:
