ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Cynewulf, also spelled Cynwulf or Kynewulf, (flourished 9th century ad, Northumbria or Mercia [now in England]), author of four Old English poems preserved in late 10th-century manuscripts.

Detailed explanation-2: -Today is the feast day of Caedmon, the first known English poet. As well as being the first named poet in the English literary tradition, he is also a significant figure in the history of people who hate singing in public, people who develop new talents later in life, and of cowherds.

Detailed explanation-3: -A beautiful verse translation of the five poems attributed to Cynewulf (Christ II, Guthlac B, Juliana, Elene, and Fates of the Apostles), all of them “signed” in runes, except for the latter. At one point, a great deal of Old English verse was attributed to Cynewulf – including the riddles!