An Anglo-Saxon Reader
Henry Sweet
Despite the many years which have passed since Sweet first published his Anglo-Saxon Reader, it remains a particularly appealing and useful anthology for the student of Old English. It contains extracts from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, as well as poems (including part of Beowulf), riddles, charters and the Preface from King Alfred's translation of Gregory's Pastoral Care. Although most texts are in West Saxon, examples of Northumbrian, Mercian and Kentish dialects have also been included.
Henry Sweet (1845-1912) was a leading expert on phonetics and Old English and was partly the basis for the character of Henry Higgins in Shaw's Pygmalion. He was appointed Reader in Phonetics at the University of Oxford in 1901.
An Anglo-Saxon Primer
Henry Sweet
Sweet's Anglo-Saxon Primer is possibly the most popular Old English textbook ever written, and with good reason. It is brief and accessible without being unduly simplistic. Students will find that the grammar and glossary make the sample texts far less daunting than they might expect, and will give them the confidence to read more widely in Old English.
Henry Sweet (1845-1912) was a leading expert on phonetics and Old English and was partly the basis for the character of Henry Higgins in Shaw's Pygmalion. He was appointed Reader in Phonetics at the University of Oxford in 1901.
