The Liturgy and Old English Literature

FAIN: FA-10898-74

Milton M. Gatch
Union Theological Seminary (New York, NY 10027-5792)

To study liturgical practices in England before the Conquest of 1066 and to relate the conclusions of this study to the interpretation of Old English literature. Because of the greater accessibility of documents, much of the research will concentrate the period from the inception of monastic reform (c. 940) through the 11th century. To work on aspects of earlier liturgical customs both to draw contrasts with the practices of the later period and to test the applicability of such study to the understanding of earlier Old English poetry and prose.