Mitchell is Fellow Emeritus of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. His books include A Guide to Old English written with
Fred C. Robinson (fifth edition, 1992), On Old English (1988), and the two volume Old English Syntax (1985). He
is currently working with Fred C. Robinson on a new edition of Beowulf.
Summary
In the six centuries before the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Saxons set their mark on England: the origins of
much that is distinctive in modern English culture may be found in the period, most notably the English language
itself. This outstanding book is an introduction to Old English language and literature set within the context
of Anglo-Saxon history and society -so arranged that the one constantly illuminates the other.
Parts I, II, and V aim to provide the reader with an understanding of, and in particular the ability to read, Old
English. Drawing on over four decades of teaching experience, the author proceeds in clear, manageable steps. He
stresses the 'Englishness' of Old English, guides the reader through possible difficulties, and illustrates each
point with examples.
Part III presents a wide-ranging account of Anglo-Saxon England. A description of the literature is followed by
a brief history of the period, made vivid through a series of extracts from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The author
draws on the latest archaeological and historical research to describe arts, crafts, and occupations, from weapons,
coins, textiles, and jewelry to ship-building, architecture, and sculpture.
In his account of town and country life, of warriors, farmers, and entertainers, Bruce Mitchell shows the impact
of Christianity on a heroic society, in which both men and women played important roles. This impact created a
tension that is frequently apparent in a representative selection of fifty-one prose and verse texts provided in
Part IV. Each of the texts is introduced and placed in context, and footnote annotations explain points of difficulty.
The book is illustrated with maps, line drawings, and photographs. It has a guide to further reading and full indexes,
and concludes with a glossary tailored to meet the needs of those encountering Old English for the first time.
The author's aim is to allow the reader both to understand Anglo-Saxon society and to experience the richness of
its literature and culture. He will be found to have succeeded.
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Acknowledgements.
Contents.
List of Figures.
Map of Anglo0Saxon England.
How To Use This Book.
Introduction.
Part I: Spelling, Pronunciation, and Pronunciation:
Part II: Other Differences between Old English and Modern English:
Part III: An Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England:
A. Literature.
B. History.
C. Archaeology, Arts, and Crafts.
D. Place Names.
E. Life in the Heroic Society and the Impact of Christianity.
Part IV: The Garden of Old English Literature:
A. Introduction.
B. Plants from the Prose.
C. Blooms from the Poetry.
Part V: Some Paradigms -For Those Who Would Like Them:
Abbreviations and Symbols.
Bibliography.
Some Significant Dates.
Glossary.
Grammatical and Lexical Index.
General Index.