ALCUIN OF YORK LECTURES DELIVERED IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF BRISTOL IN 1907 AND 1908 BY THE RIGHT REV. G. F. BROWNE D.D., D.C.L., F.S.A. BISHOP OF BRISTOL FORMERLY DISNEY PROFESSOR OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACT COMMITTEE. LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.; 43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C. BRIGHTON: 129, NORTH STREET. NEW YORK: E. S. GORHAM. 1908 PREFACE No attempt has been made to correct the various forms of many of the proper names so as to make the spelling uniform. It is true to the period to leave the curious variations as Alcuin and others wrote them. In the case of Pope Hadrian, the name has been written Hadrian and Adrian indiscriminately in the text. While Alcuin’s style is lucid, his habit of dictating letters hurriedly, and sending them off without revision if he had a headache, has left its mark on the letters as we have them. It has seemed better to leave the difficulties in the English as he left them in the Latin. The edition used, and the numbering of the Epistles adopted, is that of Wattenbach and Dümmler, _Monumenta Alcuiniana_, Berlin 1873, being the sixth volume of the _Bibliotheca Rerum Germanicarum_. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I The authorship of the anonymous Life of Alcuin.—Alcuin’s Life of his relative Willibrord.—Willibrord at Ripon.—Alchfrith and Wilfrith.—Alcuin’s conversion.—His studies under Ecgbert and Albert at the Cathedral School of York.—Ecgbert’s method of teaching.—Alcuin becomes assistant master of the School.—Is ordained deacon.—Becomes head master.—Joins Karl 1 CHAPTER II Alcuin finally leaves England.—The Adoptionist heresy.—Alcuin’s retirement to Tours.—His knowledge of secrets.—Karl and the three kings his sons.—Fire at St. Martin’s, Tours.—References to the life of St. Martin.—Alcuin’s writings.—His interview with the devil.—His last days 23 CHAPTER III