The story of Caedmon is the earliest remaining Old English poem written sometime between 658 ad 680 (Bede 24). The story, which was written by Bede, is a PARABLE that tells the story of how Caedmon receives the gift of song. Caedmon “had lived in the secular estate” until after he received the gift of song from the Lord (25). He was obviously a common man before he was blessed with song. His background affects what praises he has to sing.
When Caedmon falls asleep he is blessed with song. When told to sing of creation, Caedmon sings:
“Now we must praise
heaven-kingdom’s guardian.
the Measurer’s might
and his mind-plans,
the work of the Glory-Father,
when he of wonders of every one,
eternal Lord,
the beginning established.
He first created
for men’s sons
heaven as a roof,
holy creator;
then middle-earth
mankind’s Guardian,
eternal Lord,
afterwards made-
for men earth,
Master almighty” (25-26).
Listen to Caedmon's Hymn in its original language (Scroll about 1/4 of the way down the page)
The first time reading Caedmon’s words they seem rather elementary. Although many Christians (and probably a fair amount of non Christians) would be able to recite the first two lines from Genesis,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
without even thinking about what they are saying, but by looking at what Caedmon is saying closer some interesting things are revealed.
Caedmon is not just telling of the creation story. Most of what Caedmon is sings about is God’s great power and kindness in what he had created. The hymn tells of how God “first created for men’s sons heaven as a roof” and “afterwards made for men earth” (26). This passage tells of Gods great power because he was able to create both heaven and earth. It also tells us that God is kind. He was thinking of man when he was creating heaven and earth. If God were not kind he would have only created heaven and earth with his needs in mind. As Megan Connell said,
“Bede chooses to portray the goodness of God.”
The creation story is fairly simplistic, but it is complex to explore who and what God is. This is especially because God is a little different to everyone. Caedmon, as a common man, sees God as a guardian, mighty, eternal, creator, almighty, and lord.
In today’s Christian culture some of these beliefs vary. With secular culture being most prominent in the world many Christians are beginning to question the story of creation. There are many variations to the story of creation that have come about. For example, many people question if the earth could actually be made in six days. It is becoming normal in our western culture to either doubt the existence of God or to undermine his power and authority. Bede shows Christianity at it’s most basic form; humbling yourself before the creator.
Throughout history humans have tried to find a way to answer life’s big questions, find comfort in loss, and find direction in life. Looking at England, Christianity has been prominent since the Middle Ages. As all things do, Christianity went through many changes from the middle ages through the 17th century. It is possible to take a journey back in time, through literature, to capture some of the changes of the Christian religion in Europe.
The Venerable Bede
Julian of Norwich
An Anchoress
William Tyndale
An Allegory of the Reformation
John Calvin
George Herbert
Works Cited
"Bede and Caedmon's Hymn." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. A : Middle Ages. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Alfred David. 8th ed. Vol. A. Boston, MA: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 24-27.
Calvin, John. "John Calvin: The Institution of Christian Religion." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 625-27.
Herbert, George. "The Alter." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 1607.
"Julian of Norwich." Virtual Medieval Church and Its Writings. 2003. University of Saint Thomas “Saint Paul, MN. 30 Oct. 2008.
Norwich, Julian. "Julian of Norwich: A Book of Showings to the Anchoress Julian of Norwich." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. A : Middle Ages. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Alfred David. 8th ed. Vol. A. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 371-82.
"The Sixteenth Century: Topics." William Tyndale, Preface to His 1530 Old Testament Translation. 2003. W.W. Norton and Company. 3 Nov. 2008
Tyndale, William. "William Tyndale: The Obedience of a Christian Man." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 621-22.
Calvin, John. "John Calvin: The Institution of Christian Religion." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 625-27.
Herbert, George. "The Alter." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 1607.
"Julian of Norwich." Virtual Medieval Church and Its Writings. 2003. University of Saint Thomas “Saint Paul, MN. 30 Oct. 2008
"The Sixteenth Century: Topics." William Tyndale, Preface to His 1530 Old Testament Translation. 2003. W.W. Norton and Company. 3 Nov. 2008
Tyndale, William. "William Tyndale: The Obedience of a Christian Man." The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. B : The Sixteenth Century/The Early Seventeenth Century. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, M. H. Abrams and Barbara K. Lewalski. 8th ed. Vol. B. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2005. 621-22.
The changes of Christian thinking in England formed modern religion today. Catholicism was the only acknowledged religion in England through the 16th century, but during the 16th century some of the largest changes in the Christian religion were going on. There were transformations in religion that were shown through literature. Literature changed from being “a mixture of Christian and pagan beliefs, to pure Christianity.” (Holly Gingrich). Whether a person claimed to be a follower of Christ or not, Christianity helped to mold English culture and change believes between medieval times and the 17th century.