Life of St Aldhelm book launch

On Saturday 9th July MHS hosted the book launch of “The Life of Saint Aldhelm” by Faricius, the first ever English translation of the earliest biography of Aldhelm. A fascinating talk was given by Professor Michael Winterbottom of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford who translated the work. Discussions followed with Professor Rod Thomson of the University of Tasmania and with Tony McAleavy.

Faricius was a monk in what would become Malmesbury Abbey. He came from Arezzo in Italy and wrote the Life of St Aldhelm just before 1100. The book launched is an abridged version, the full version will be available in a special edition of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine later this year. Professor Winterbottom talked through some sections of the translation including a number of miracles attributed to St Aldhelm. It was also very interesting to hear from Faricius about St Aldhelm’s tomb in Malmesbury which he knew well. There was also a comparison with the views of William of Malmesbury writing some 25 years later.

The book is now available and will be in Malmesbury Abbey book shop, Athelstan Museum and at Malmesbury History Society meetings.

Michael has kindly provided the transcript of his talk which is available to download here.

18/9/2022