In another letter written to
Ecgberht of York is recorded an exchange of books, and
a request for a copy of the commentaries of Bede.
A decree of the Council held at Cloveshoe in 747,
pointing out the want of instruction among the religious,
and ordering all bishops, abbots, and abbesses to promote
and encourage learning, whether it means that monkish
education was on the wane or that it was not making such
quick progress as was desired, at any rate does not mean
that England was in a bad way in this respect, or that she
lagged behind the Continent. On the contrary, England
and Ireland were renowned homes of learning in
Western Europe. Perhaps a few centres on the mainland
could show libraries as good as those here; but certainly
no country had such scholars. England's pre-eminence was
recognized by Charles the Great when he invited Alcuin
to his court (781).
Alcuin was brought up at York from childhood. In
company with Albert, who taught the arts and grammar
at this northern school, Alcuin visited Gaul and Rome to
scrape together a few more books. On returning later he
was entrusted with the care of the library: a task for which
he was well fitted, if enthusiasm, breaking into rime, be a
qualification:--
"Small is the space which contains the gifts of heavenly Wisdom
Which you, reader, rejoice piously here to receive;
Better than richest gifts of the Kings, this treasure of Wisdom,
Light, for the seeker of this, shines on the road to the
Day.
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