Guthlacs

Guthlacs refers to a series of Old English poems attributed to the monk Cynewulf. These poems, preserved in the Exeter Book, are devotional in nature and focus on the life and miracles of Saint Guthlac. Saint Guthlac was an English hermit and saint who lived in the 7th and 8th centuries. The poems are significant for their literary merit and for the insight they provide into early Anglo-Saxon Christian beliefs and practices.

The Guthlac poems are divided into two parts. The first part, Guthlac A, describes the saint's earthly life, his renunciation of worldly goods, and his withdrawal to a hermitage in the fens of Lincolnshire. It details his struggles with demonic temptations and his eventual victory through faith. The second part, Guthlac B, focuses on the saint's miracles after his death, illustrating his continued intercessory power and his passage into heaven. These accounts highlight the veneration of saints in Anglo-Saxon England.

The language and style of the Guthlac poems are characteristic of Old English poetry, employing alliteration, kennings, and a formal meter. Cynewulf, the purported author, is one of the few named poets from this period, and his signature appears in runic form within some of his works, including the Guthlac poems. The poems are a valuable source for understanding Old English literature, hagiography, and the development of Christianity in England.