Aelfric the grammarian biography sample

Aefric Biography

Aethelwold had carried on the tradition of Dunstan in his government of the abbey of Abingdon, England, and at Winchester he continued his strenuous efforts. He seems to have actually taken part in the work of teaching.

Aelfric no doubt gained some reputation as a scholar at Winchester, for when, in 987, the abbey of Cernel (Cerne Abbas, Dorset) was finished, he was sent by Bishop Aelfheah (Alphege), Aethelwold's successor, at the request of the chief benefactor of the abbey, the ealdorman Aethelmaer, to teach the Benedictine monks there.

He was then in priest's orders. Aethelmaer and his father Aethelweard were both enlightened patrons of learning, and became Aelfric's faithful friends.

It was at Cernel, and partly at the desire, i