West Saxon Gospels

The West Saxon Gospels are a collection of Old English translations of the four Gospels from the New Testament, specifically those attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Created in the late 9th century, they reflect the efforts of King Alfred the Great to make religious texts accessible to Anglo-Saxon Christians. The Gospels are notable for their linguistic and cultural significance, as they demonstrate the use of Old English in religious literature, contributing to the development of the English language. They serve as an important historical source for understanding early medieval Christianity in England.