The Early South English Legendary or Lives of Saints

The Early South English Legendary or Lives of Saints is a book compiled and edited by Dr. Carl Horstmann. The book is a collection of hagiographies, or stories about the lives of saints, written in Middle English. The hagiographies were originally written in the 13th and 14th centuries and were widely read in England during the Middle Ages. The book contains 66 hagiographies, each dedicated to a specific saint. The saints include well-known figures such as St. George and St. Patrick, as well as lesser-known saints like St. Eadmund and St. Guthlac. The stories follow a similar format, beginning with the saint's birth and childhood, and then recounting their miracles and eventual martyrdom. The hagiographies are written in a poetic style, with a focus on moral and religious instruction. They offer a glimpse into the religious beliefs and practices of medieval England, as well as the lives of ordinary people during that time. Dr. Carl Horstmann, the editor of the book, was a German scholar and philologist who specialized in Middle English literature. He spent many years studying and translating medieval texts, including the Early South English Legendary. His introduction to the book provides historical context and insight into the significance of the hagiographies. Overall, The Early South English Legendary or Lives of Saints is a valuable resource for scholars of medieval literature and history, as well as anyone interested in the religious and cultural traditions of medieval England.1887. MS. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian Library. This work is considered one of the most important works of mediaeval literature. These legends represent the Christian mythology, as it had been formed in the course of centuries. The Collection contains sermons, or materials for sermons, for the Festivals of the year in the order of the Calendar, and comprehends not only Saints' Lives for Saints' Days, but also a Temporal for the festivals of Christ, and Advent and Christmas cycle, the Passion and an Easter cycle, and even, in some MSS., a Life of Christ compiled from the Gospels and Sunday lessons.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.