New ebook: Ælfric of Eynsham’s Letter to Sigeweard: An Edition, Commentary, and Translation (Patreon)

We added another ebook to our Shop. This one will be for those interested in medieval Christianity, as it deals with an 11th-century letter that reviews, book by book, the Christian Bible, its meanings and its contents. Here is how it begins:

The beginning of a little book about the Old and New Testaments. This text was written to one man, but it may benefit many. Ælfric sends friendly greetings to Sigeweard at Easthalon. 

I tell you the truth that he is very wise who speaks with his deeds and whose going out is before God. Before the world, he adorns himself with good works. It is so very clear in the holy canon that holy men cultivated good works while they were in this world worthily, and now the saints are in the joy“ous kingdom of heaven and their memory remains now always in the world for their diligence and their faithfulness with God. 

But careless men who lived their lives in every idleness and ended (life) so, their memory is forgotten in the holy writings except the Old Testament speaks about their evil deeds and that they are condemned. You asked me often for English writings and I did not grant [it] all too soon before you, by your deeds which petitioned me, bade me eagerly for the love of God when I spoke [to you] at your estate at your house. 

You complained so, when I was with you, that you could not obtain my writings. Now I wish that you have this little [piece], now that wisdom is pleasing to you, and you have your wish so that you will not be deprived entirely of my books. God loves good deeds, and he will have them from us. 

This ebook comes in the ePub format. Click here to buy it