Wulfstan, Archbishop of York, was one of the most influential writers of late Anglo-Saxon England. Active in both religious and political spheres, he shaped royal legislation, pastoral guidance, and the cultural response to the crises of the early eleventh century. His homilies feature a strikingly recognizable style of rhythmical prose, heavy alliteration, and formulaic exhortation, crafted to persuade audiences toward moral reform and social stability. This course explores Wulfstan’s homiletic and political writings in conjunction with excerpts from Ælfric and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for a fuller understanding of the atmosphere of the time.
Course details:
- Sessions last 1.5 hours
- 1 session per week
- Course lasts 14 weeks
- Term runs Aug. 30, 2026 – Dec. 12, 2026
How ALI courses work:
- ALI courses are live, online classes run by ALI Old English professors. Learn Old English from anywhere.
- Classes run on a trimester basis.
- Fall: September – December
- Spring: January – April
- Summer: May – August
- We want to make sure you’re completely satisfied. If you don’t love your first Old English class, we guarantee a 100% refund. After that, in weeks 2 – 4, refunds will be made on a pro rata basis, based on however many class sessions you’ve attended. We cannot issue refunds after the fourth week of classes.
- Read more on our FAQ page and check out our academic calendar page to see a more detailed schedule
