Overview

Scholar, ecclesiastic, teacher and poet of the eighth century, Alcuin can be seen as a true hidden saint of the Church, of the same stature and significance as his predecessor Bede. His love of God and his grasp of Christian theology were rendered original in their creative impact by his gifts as a teacher and poet. In his hands, the very traditional theology that he inherited, and to which he felt bound, took new wings. In that respect, he must rank as one of the most notable and influential of Anglo-Saxon Christians, uniting English and continental Christianity in a unique manner, which left a lasting legacy within the Catholic Church of Western Europe. This book 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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Alcuin deserves to be recognised - far more than has often been the case - as a key figure in the evolution of the mediaeval mind; and no one reading this book could fail to see him in this light. This is a fine and welcome tribute to one of the greatest gifts the British Church gave to the wider Catholic fellowship in the early Middle Ages. Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury ...a thorough and careful account ... with full scholarly apparatus and a warm appreciation of Alcuin's achievement in making the complexities of Augustine and much else intelligible in a different world, which was already under Viking attack as he wrote. Lucy Beckett, in The Times Literary Supplement, 28 June 2013 ...offers an enjoyable introduction to an important period in the history of the Church in Western Europe. Dr G.R. Evans, in Church Times, 8 November 2013 Covering his life, influences, and works, this book offers its reader a well-researched study in Alcuin. ... The book as a whole is quite detailed ... and is perhaps more suited to those seeking a more robust academic read. ... a useful book on the life and times of a significant Christian figure. Kris Hiuser, University of Chester, in Theological Book Review , Vol 25, No 2 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 Dales's project is even more ambitious than advertised, embracing nothing less than Alcuin's entire oeuvre, together with the broader circumstances of Charlemagne's cultural and religious programs. [...] The author marshals an impressive body of material, including many extracts from Alcuin's letters and a broad array of citations to secondary scholarship. Eric Knibbs, Williams College, in The Medieval Review, 14.05.03 A comprehensive study on Alcuin of York. The author examines his thoughts and his works, as well as the political role within the court of Charlemagne. Medioevo Latino, 35, (2014)

Alcuin deserves to be recognised - far more than has often been the case - as a key figure in the evolution of the mediaeval mind; and no one reading this book could fail to see him in this light. This is a fine and welcome tribute to one of the greatest gifts the British Church gave to the wider Catholic fellowship in the early Middle Ages. Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury ...a thorough and careful account ... with full scholarly apparatus and a warm appreciation of Alcuin's achievement in making the complexities of Augustine and much else intelligible in a different world, which was already under Viking attack as he wrote. Lucy Beckett, in The Times Literary Supplement, 28 June 2013 ...offers an enjoyable introduction to an important period in the history of the Church in Western Europe. Dr G.R. Evans, in Church Times, 8 November 2013 Covering his life, influences, and works, this book offers its reader a well-researched study in Alcuin. ... The book as a whole is quite detailed ... and is perhaps more suited to those seeking a more robust academic read. ... a useful book on the life and times of a significant Christian figure. Kris Hiuser, University of Chester, in Theological Book Review , Vol 25, No 2 '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 'Dales's project is even more ambitious than advertised, embracing nothing less than Alcuin's entire oeuvre, together with the broader circumstances of Charlemagne's cultural and religious programs. [...] The author marshals an impressive body of material, including many extracts from Alcuin's letters and a broad array of citations to secondary scholarship.' Eric Knibbs, Williams College, in The Medieval Review, 14.05.03 A comprehensive study on Alcuin of York. The author examines his thoughts and his works, as well as the political role within the court of Charlemagne. Medioevo Latino, 35, (2014) The notes for the book printed in the back are evidence of Dale's knowledge of Alcuin's works, his sources and the extensive scholarship has appeared in recent years. George Hardin Brown, Revue D'Histoire Ecclesistique, vol 109, issue 1, 2014 A survey of Alcuin's many contributions to the Carolingian intellectual heritage, especially as regards theology, drawing on the rich research of recent decades ... This relatively short book will be useful for those studying this period of early medieval history and theology in schools and universities. Anneli Luhtala, Journal of Theological Studies, vol 66 issue 1, April 2015

Alcuin deserves to be recognised - far more than has often been the case - as a key figure in the evolution of the mediaeval mind; and no one reading this book could fail to see him in this light. This is a fine and welcome tribute to one of the greatest gifts the British Church gave to the wider Catholic fellowship in the early Middle Ages. Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury ...a thorough and careful account ... with full scholarly apparatus and a warm appreciation of Alcuin's achievement in making the complexities of Augustine and much else intelligible in a different world, which was already under Viking attack as he wrote. Lucy Beckett, in The Times Literary Supplement, 28 June 2013 ...offers an enjoyable introduction to an important period in the history of the Church in Western Europe. Dr G.R. Evans, in Church Times, 8 November 2013 Covering his life, influences, and works, this book offers its reader a well-researched study in Alcuin. ... The book as a whole is quite detailed ... and is perhaps more suited to those seeking a more robust academic read. ... a useful book on the life and times of a significant Christian figure. Kris Hiuser, University of Chester, in Theological Book Review , Vol 25, No 2

...a thorough and careful account [...]with full scholarly apparatus and a warm appreciation of Alcuin's achievement in making the complexities of Augustine and much else intelligible in a different world, which was already under Viking attack as he wrote. Lucy Beckett, The Times Literary Supplement, June 28 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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