Overview

Scholar, ecclesiastic, teacher and poet of the eighth century, Alcuin was a person of deep Christian faith, tenacious in his loyalty to orthodox Catholic theology. He had a seminal influence upon his own generation and those that came after him. Although he remained a Northumbrian Christian at heart, the part of his life about which most is known was spent on the Continent. He never lost contact with his homeland; but his most significant and lasting work was evidently accomplished in Europe and his influence on the early medieval Western Church was an abiding one. This book examines his life and career in England and on the continent; it also considers his legacy as a churchman and a leading political figure. This volume prefigures a forthcoming work on Alcuin's intellectual legacy, 'Alcuin : A Study of his Theology' (due for release, April 2013). This rich study is intended for the general reader as well as for those studying, teaching or researching this period of early medieval history and theology in schools and universities.

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9780227173466

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Reviews

Alcuin has waited longer than his time for this succinct but comprehensive appreciation. Dr Mark Edwards, Church Times, 26 April 2013 Dales' own familiarity with the history of Christianity in England is apparent throughout his book. [ - ] The biography provides a good introduction to Alcuin's letters and poetry. Nathan J. Ristuccia, Reviews in Religion and Theology Vol.20 Issue 3. July 2013 ' [...] this is a work that does Church History a valuable service in enabling a fuller appreciation of Alcuin.' Jonathan Hustler, Theology, Vol.116, No 6, November / December 2013 'This is an attempt to draw a short biography of Alcuin from his first English period (pages 19-68) with the very first diplomatic tasks and the connections with the political authorities, to the collaboration with Charlemagne also through the links with Rome, and an analysis of his heritage, both as a clergyman and as a politician (pages 127-60; 151-60 in particular are about letters and manuscripts); whereas another work (Alcuin. His Theology) is about theological and cultural perspectives. The volume ends with an historical appraisal, some notes, a bibliography and an appendix.' Medioevo Latino, XXXIV, July 2013 'The book is written by D. Dales in an easy, accessible style, while being extremely informative and scientific. It will serve as an excellent incentive to more deep study of the political and intellectual history of the early mediaeval period and will be useful additional material for those studying the history of the Catholic Church.' Anastasia Palamarchuck, Folia Petropolitana, Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2013 'There is much in this book to be commended: it is a good synthesis of many of Alcuin's works (especially his letters and some of his theological works) and of some recent scholarship. General readers and undergraduate students will find this an accessible (and very readable) introduction to Alcuin's life'. Helen Foxhall Forbes, The Catholic Historical Review, Vol.100, No.1, January 2014 This book is accessible to the general reader who is quite unfamiliar with this period of history but it also offers a sound guide for those studying and teaching early medieval history and theology. There are detailed notes and an extensive bibliography. ... Dales carefully steers readers through Alcuin's context, what he inherited from the past, his friendships, his multiple contributions, the challenges he met and his legacy. John Sullivan, Liverpool Hope University, in Theological Book Review, Vol 25, No 1

Alcuin has waited longer than his time for this succinct but comprehensive appreciation. Dr Mark Edwards, Church Times, 26 April 2013

'Alcuin has waited longer than his time for this succinct but comprehensive appreciation' Dr Mark Edwards, Church Times, 26 April 2013 'Dales' own familiarity with the history of Christianity in England is apparent throughout his book. [...] The biography provides a good introduction to Alcuin's letters and poetry.' Nathan J. Ristuccia, Reviews in Religion and Theology, Vol.20 Issue 3. July 2013 '[...] this is a work that does Church History a valuable service in enabling a fuller appreciation of Alcuin.' Jonathan Hustler, Theology, Vol.116, No 6, November / December 2013 'This is an attempt to draw a short biography of Alcuin from his first English period (pages 19-68) with the very first diplomatic tasks and the connections with the political authorities, to the collaboration with Charlemagne also through the links with Rome, and an analysis of his heritage, both as a clergyman and as a politician (pages 127-60; 151-60 in particular are about letters and manuscripts); whereas another work (Alcuin. His Theology) is about theological and cultural perspectives. The volume ends with an historical appraisal, some notes, a bibliography and an appendix.' Medioevo Latino, XXXIV, July 2013 'The book is written by D. Dales in an easy, accessible style, while being extremely informative and scientific. It will serve as an excellent incentive to more deep study of the political and intellectual history of the early mediaeval period and will be useful additional material for those studying the history of the Catholic Church.' Anastasia Palamarchuck, Folia Petropolitana, Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2013 'There is much in this book to be commended: it is a good synthesis of many of Alcuin's works (especially his letters and some of his theological works) and of some recent scholarship. General readers and undergraduate students will find this an accessible (and very readable) introduction to Alcuin's life.' Helen Foxhall Forbes, The Catholic Historical Review, Vol.100, No.1, January 2014 This book is accessible to the general reader who is quite unfamiliar with this period of history but it also offers a sound guide for those studying and teaching early medieval history and theology. There are detailed notes and an extensive bibliography. [...] Dales carefully steers readers through Alcuin's context, what he inherited from the past, his friendships, his multiple contributions, the challenges he met and his legacy. John Sullivan, Liverpool Hope University, in Theological Book Review (tbr), Vol. 25, No.1, 2013 'Douglas Dales' two books on Alcuin are well researched and well expressed, based on a wide range of scholarship, both historical and theological, and the books combine to provide important source material for scholars working on either Alcuin or his very powerful friend, Charlemagne. ... There are excellent sections in both books on Alcuin's early life and problems in England, and his enforced stay in Europe. His wide ranging literary works are well discussed, as are his relationship with Charlemagne and with his fellow courtiers, and the theological implications are well covered in great depth, and the final chapter on poetry is very interesting. ... the two books should serve to reinforce the important role played by Alcuin as a key theologian and significant politician at a very interesting period of European history.' John R. C. Martyn, University of Melbourne, in Journal of Religious History, Vol 38, Issue 1 Alcuin's literary and poetic skill, his philosophy as a Christian educator, and the other departments of his work, ministry and relationships, are handled in a way that build up a three-dimensional picture not just of the man, but of the age as a whole. ...True to the man, and in explanation of his influence, the second volume ends with the theme 'Alcuin's Theology of Friendship'. These two volumes are indeed worth befriending. -Charles Miller, Fairacres Chronicle, Vol. 48, No. 2, Winter 2015

Alcuin has waited longer than his time for this succinct but comprehensive appreciation. Dr Mark Edwards, Church Times, 26 April 2013 Dales' own familiarity with the history of Christianity in England is apparent throughout his book. [ - ] The biography provides a good introduction to Alcuin's letters and poetry. Nathan J. Ristuccia, Reviews in Religion and Theology Vol.20 Issue 3. July 2013 '[ - ] this is a work that does Church History a valuable service in enabling a fuller appreciation of Alcuin.' Jonathan Hustler, Theology, Vol.116, No 6, November / December 2013

Author Information

Douglas Dales was educated at St Dunstan's College, London, and was a scholar of Christ Church, Oxford: he holds degrees in history and theology. He is a parish priest in eight parishes in the diocese of Oxford, and was Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies at Malborough College. He is married with three children and is the author of Dunstan (1988) and Light to the Isles (2010).

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