Very little is known about Asser. He was a Welshman educated at St Davids, Pembrokeshire, who had been invited to Wessex by King Alfred the Great (885–86), perhaps on account of his extensive learning. He became Bishop of Sherborne and is cited in King Alfred’s preface to his translation of Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Care as one of those bishops who helped restore learning in the kingdom of Wessex

Asser is known to us as the author of a Latin Life of King Alfred, a text which presents many puzzles for modern scholars. Asser states explicitly that his work is intended as a record for posterity (c. 16). The Life contains many references, in chronicle style, to facts and events prior to and contemporary t

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First published 15 June 2005

Citation: Corona, Gabriella. "John Asser". The Literary Encyclopedia. 15 June 2005.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5931, accessed 21 November 2009.]