One of the first authors of English literature to have his name officially documented in history was the 7th-century Anglo-Saxon poet Caedmon. The Venerable Bede wrote "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," a book that contains Caedmon's narrative, in the year 731. Caedmon's first occupation, according to Bede, was shepherding at Whitby Abbey in Northern England, where he was taught by the nun Hilda.
At first, Caedmon had difficulty with poetry and singing, and he always felt awkward when he had to perform a song at an event. History tells it, nevertheless, that one night Caedmon dreamed that a man encouraged him to sing a song about "the beginning of creation". When Caedmon awoke, he was singing a song about "the beginning of creation," and since he had never written poetry in Old English before, he had become able to do so. After this incident, he devoted his life to writing religious hymns praising God and Christianity.
When the nun Hilda discovered about Caedmon's ability for poetry, she offered an invitation for him to join her in her convent. Although "Caedmon's Hymn" is the only piece of religious poetry that has survived, Caedmon went on to become a monk and write other poems. Caedmon is regarded as one of the first writers of religious poetry in English, and he played an essential role in Anglo-Saxon literature's development.
"Caedmon's Hymn Review"
“Caedmon's Hymn” is a deeply spiritual poem that depicts the change of Anglo-Saxon culture from pagan to Christian beliefs. In the nine lines of the poem, Caedmon praises God as the Creator of heaven and earth, showing how great God is through His creation and His power in creating the universe.
"Caedmon's Hymn" in Old English:N sculon herigean
heofonrces Weard,
Metodes miht and his mdgeanc,
weorc Wuldor-Fder,
sw h wundra gehws,
ce Dryhten,
r onstealde.
H rest scep
eoran bearnum
heofon t hrfe,
hlig Scyppend;
middangeard
monncynnes Weard,
ce Dryhten,
fter tode
frum foldan,
Fra lmihtig.And here is the translation of "Chaedmon's Hymn" into Modern English:
Caedmon's Hymn (translations):
Now we must praise
the Guardian of Heaven's kingdom,
the Creator's might and his purpose,
the work of the Glory-Father,
as he, the eternal Lord,
established the beginning of every wonder.
He, the Holy Creator,
first shaped
heaven as a roof
for the children of men;
then, the Guardian of mankind,
the eternal Lord,
afterwards created
the middle-earth,
for men,
the Almighty Lord.
