attributed to Cynewulf fl. ?800

The Firebird’s Nest

Like the legendary phoenix, the Christian must spend his life making a nest fit for his rebirth in fire.

800

Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066

Introduction

In The Phoenix, the author (possibly Cynewulf, certainly an admirer of his work) mused on the legend of the firebird that dies in its nest, and is reborn in fire. A godly man builds himself a nest out of his repentance and his love and charity with all men; in life the nest protects him from spiritual enemies, and in death the nest is consumed in fire so that the man may be reborn in a mansion of glory.

attributed to Cynewulf fl. ?800

abridged

❰

1 2

❱

Précis

In the Anglo-Saxon poem ‘The Phoenix’, the author reminds us that the phoenix is reborn in a bonfire of its own nest. The Christian, he says, weaves himself such a nest out of almsgiving, clean living and prayer, a nest wich in this life protects him against spiritual assault, and in the next becomes the foundation of a veritable mansion.

Clay Lane The Copybook