The Politics of Language: Byrhtferth, Aelfric, and the Multilingual Identity of the Benedictine Reform

“The Politics of Language is not only the first major study of Byrhtferth’s language politics but also the first substantial work to look at Byrhtferth and Ælfric together. Stephenson is very skilled in dismantling the claims regarding language made by both authors, analyzing why they were made and what the reality behind them may have been.”

Mary Clayton, Professor Emeritus, School of English, Drama, and Film, University College Dublin

“The Politics of Language teases out the rhetorical manoeuverings by which two key authors, Byrhtferth and Ælfric, steered their way through the complex ideology of language-use in the Benedictine Reform. Stephenson’s approach is firmly rooted in her own linguistic sensitivity, especially with regard to the Latin texts, and we understand the Benedictine Reform much better because of her research.”

Joyce Hill, Emeritus Professor of Medieval Literature, School of English, University of Leeds