Gregory the Great’s Letter to Mellitus and the English Elf Charms
Order Description
Write a mini paper (250-400 words) with a THESIS STATEMENT and ARGUMENT about the
text you have just finished reading, Gregory the Great’s Letter to Mellitus and the English Elf
Charms (the Field Remedy, Miscellaneous Lacnunga Charms, and the second of the three
Lacnugna Elf Charms). Your paper will be a response to one of the questions provided, with
your answer serving as your thesis statement. Rely on as many of the sources as possible for
evidence to back up your thesis. Think of this paper as a low-stakes way to practice—and to
learn what I am looking for—before the short papers, which count for more of your grade.
Because your references should be confined to class readings, you may use parenthetical citation,
rather than the Chicago style citation historians prefer. That is, cite as follows: (author or text
when there is no author, page number when available) Ex: (Field Remedy)
In his letter, Pope Gregory suggests allowing the Anglo Saxons to continue animal
sacrifice but to sacrifice the animals not “to the devil, but […] to the praise of God.” But
in the elf charms, there is no evidence of animal sacrifice. What are the Anglo Saxons
offering instead of animals? Why does their choice of offering demonstrate acceptance
of Christianity? You must draw from the elf charms and Gregory’s letter in your answer
EUH 2021: Medieval to Modern Europe
Minipaper
Write a mini paper (250-400 words) with a THESIS STATEMENT and ARGUMENT about the text you have just finished reading, Gregory the Great’s Letter to Mellitus and the English Elf Charms (the Field Remedy, Miscellaneous Lacnunga Charms, and the second of the three Lacnugna Elf Charms). Your paper will be a response to one of the questions provided, with your answer serving as your thesis statement. Rely on as many of the sources as possible for evidence to back up your thesis. Think of this paper as a low-stakes way to practice—and to learn what I am looking for—before the short papers, which count for more of your grade.
I highly discourage you from using sources beyond those listed above. Instead, concentrate on writing a good argument.
Because your references should be confined to class readings, you may use parenthetical citation, rather than the Chicago style citation historians prefer. That is, cite as follows: (author or text when there is no author, page number when available) Ex: (Field Remedy)
For more on what is expected on papers, see the “Writing Hints” handout at blackboard.
Keep in mind that there are several resources available to you as you write your paper. Your TAs and I are happy to talk with you about ideas for the paper or about organization. Once you have a draft (even a rough draft), we are also happy to look that over and offer suggestions on how to make the paper stronger. We do ask for 48 hours turn-around time to get it back to you.
In addition both The Center for Excellence in Writing and the History Writing Tutors are freely available to you and can help with all aspects of writing, from approaching the question and brainstorming to techniques for editing. Their websites are: http://writingcenter.fiu.edu/ and http://history.fiu.edu/tutoring/.
Finally, I encourage you to help each other! Peer editing can be a very useful process. Not only is it helpful to bounce ideas off one another in the early stages of writing, but by the end of the writing process your peers can be your best copy editors.
Due Date:
This paper is due on Wednesday Sept 9 at noon. Turn the paper in to Turnitin, via the class’s blackboard site.
1. What did the Anglo-Saxon people value? Focus on ONE thing (there are several possible answers). Why would that item be valuable to the Anglo-Saxons? You must draw from the elf charms and Gregory’s letter in your answer.
HINT: What the charms are trying to protect or protect against? What items/ places have magical properties? What did the Anglo-Saxons, in Gregory’s letters, offer to God? There is not just one right answer to this question.
2. In his letter, Pope Gregory suggests allowing the Anglo Saxons to continue animal sacrifice but to sacrifice the animals not “to the devil, but […] to the praise of God.” But in the elf charms, there is no evidence of animal sacrifice. What are the Anglo Saxons offering instead of animals? Why does their choice of offering demonstrate acceptance of Christianity? You must draw from the elf charms and Gregory’s letter in your answer.