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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Caedmon
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(7C) Traditionally the first English poet, but nothing is known about him beyond what *Bede records in a chapter of his history. He says that Caedmon was an illiterate herdsman who one night saw a vision in which he was given the gift of poetry and was told to use it to praise God. He entered the monastery at Whitby and there, being instructed in sacred history, he made 'melodious song' from the Bible stories, 'like one of the clean animals chewing the cud'.
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