CHAPTER III.

ANGLO-SAXON SCHOOLS.--A.D. 590 TO 875.

State of Europe at the beginning of the sixth century. St. Gregory the Great. The mission of St. Augustine. The first English library. St. Augustine’s monastery at Canterbury. The schools of Lindisfarne and Ripon. Archbishop Theodore and Abbot Adrian. The school of Canterbury and its scholars. St. Aldhelm, and a sketch of his school studies. St. Bennet Biscop founds his two monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow. His collection of books and pictures. The manner of life in these monasteries. The Venerable Bede: a sketch of his life and learning. His scientific writings. The grammatical formation of modern languages mainly the work of the monastic scholars. St. Bede’s labours on the formation of English. His death. The school of York under Archbishops Egbert and Albert. Alcuin receives his education here. Its noble library. Manner in which the Bishops personally directed the studies of their young clergy. Danish invasions, and ruin of the Anglo-Saxon schools. Destruction of Lindisfarne. 56