[19] Annals of Xanten, 846 A.D.
[20] Ibid., 851 A.D.
[21] Annals of Saint Vaast, 884 A.D.
[22] It is related that ignorant court officials, fearing the king's displeasure, sought to learn from their children.
[23] Through Alfred's efforts, the compilation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was begun, that the people of England might be able to read the history of their country in their own language.
CHAPTER VII
[1] Anderson tells of a monastic student's notebook on conduct which has been preserved, and which "prescribes that the young man is to kneel when answering the Abbot, not to take a seat unasked, not to loll against the wall, nor fidget with things within reach. He is not to scratch himself, nor cross his legs like a tailor. He is to wash his hands before meals, keep his knife sharp and clean, not to seize upon vegetables, and not to use his spoon in the common dish."
[2] This expression came into common use in the fifth century, when the Christian writers summarized the ancient learning under these seven headings or studies, following earlier Greek and Roman classifications. (See p. 70).
[3] The Doctrinale, by Alexander de Villa Die. This was in rhyme, and became immensely popular. It was the favorite text until the fifteenth century.
[4] Donatus begins as follows: