ABSTRACT |
In this paper I intend to support Townend’s hypothesis that The
Coronation and The Death of Edgar in the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle could be representative of a contemporary panegyric
tradition. A careful reading of the contents of these poems may not only
reveal that they can be interpreted as eulogistic pieces but that they
might be considered as samples of an incipient panegyric trend directly
related to the Benedictine reform. It is well-known that this movement
brought about a significant boost in the composition of hagiographies,
hymns, and all sort of liturgical pieces needed for the cult of the
recently-canonized figures--Swithun and the leading reformers, among
others. The rapid development of panegyric verse devoted to the
reformers is therefore attested to by the numerous pieces that have been
preserved. Similarly, praise poetry celebrating monarchs could well have
flourished as part of Benedictine propaganda in the late 10thc. An
analysis of the images and themes offered by The Coronation of Edgar
and The Death of Edgar may therefore evince proofs of their
links to contemporary Benedictine ideology.
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