In the Roman library, a lost copy of a 7th-century poem in Old English has been discovered

Rare Manuscript of Caedmon’s Hymn Discovered in Rome

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have announced the discovery of a manuscript containing Caedmon’s hymn within the National Central Library in Rome. The finding represents a significant contribution to understanding early English literature and religious history. Caedmon, a Northumbrian shepherd, is credited with composing the nine-verse poem dating back to the 7th century.

The earliest recorded account of the hymn emerged in the 8th century through the writings of the medieval theologian Bede the Venerable, widely regarded as the father of English historiography. The newly discovered manuscript is an Old English version of the poem, believed to have been transcribed by a monk in northern Italy between 800 and 830 AD. The discovery was made through a photographic reproduction of Bede’s Church History of the English People.

Elisabetta Magnanti and Mark Faulkner, the researchers who identified the manuscript, described the moment of revelation as “No one knows about it.”

This significant find offers a direct glimpse into the early development of English language and religious expression, providing valuable insight into a pivotal century in the nation’s cultural heritage. The manuscript underscores the ongoing importance of archival research in uncovering lost works of English literature.

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