Court intellectuals

Question 1

Mercia

Answer 1

• Werferth of Worcester
• Plegmund (Archbishop of Canterbury)
• Aethelstan
• Werwulf

(The first intellectuals to arrive at Alfred’s court)

Question 2

Scandinavia

Answer 2

• Othere (from the northern part of Norway) - shared his knowledge/tales of his homeland and surrounding areas - incorporated into Orosius’ history of the pagans
• Wulfstan (a Dane)

Question 3

East Francia

Answer 3

• John (priest and monk) - was later made Bishop of Alfred’s new monastery at Athelney

Question 4

Rome

Answer 4

Regular contact with the Pope - relationship so strong (Asser) to the extent that the English district in Rome payed no tax

Question 5

The Holy land (inc. Jerusalem)

Answer 5

• Regular contact with Elias, Patriarch of Jerusalem (Elias also sent various medical remedies to Alfred)

Question 6

West Francia

Answer 6

Grimbald (priest and monk from st Bertin) - sent to Alfred after Alfred asked Archbishop Fulco of Rheims for help dealing with church-related problems
Fulco had tried to disuade Grimbald from leaving as he was a scholar of high standing, but later gave in and allowed him to go, confirming his permission in a letter to Alfred- Grimbald would have likely been made bishop had he stayed in Rheims, proving how tempitng Alfred’s programme was

Question 7

Ireland

Answer 7

• Dubslane, Macbeth and Maelinmun all rowed over to England on their own accord and came to Alfred’s court