Wealth and the Material World in the Old English Alfredian Corpus

A new materialistic reading of the Alfredian corpus reveals its complex relationship with the material world,drawing on thing theory and Augustine's principles of use and enjoyment. It demonstrates that wealth is a current, flowing both horizontally and vertically, and is not simply a tool or something to be enjoyed in excess.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

A fresh, materialistic interpretation of the Alfredian corpus emerges, drawing on a wide range of approaches, from thing theory to Augustinian principles of use and enjoyment, to explore how these works delve into the material world. While the Old English prose translations traditionally attributed to Alfred the Great, encompassing versions of Gregory's Regula pastoralis, Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae, Augustine's Soliloquia, and the first fifty Psalms, advocate detachment from the material realm, their contents, ranging from precious treasures to commonplace objects, abound within them. This book approaches these original and inventive translations from a materialist perspective, utilizing diverse methodologies such as thing theory and Augustine's notions of use and enjoyment. By centering on the material, it presents a novel interpretation of this collection of translations, unveiling their intricate and often conflicting relationship with the material world. It demonstrates that wealth in Alfredian literature extends beyond mere utilitarianism or excessive enjoyment, moving beyond these static binaries. Instead, it reveals that wealth is a dynamic and flowing force, spanning both horizontal exchanges between humans and vertical connections between earth and heaven.

The prose translations find their place within the broader context of Old English poetry, including renowned works such as Beowulf, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, the Exeter Book Riddles, and The Dream of the Rood. By examining these translations within this literary landscape, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between materiality and spirituality, offering a fresh perspective on the wealth depicted in Alfredian literature.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277599