Aldhelm received his first education in the school of an Irish scholar and monk, Máeldub (also Maildubh, Maildulf or Meldun) (died c. 675), who had settled in the British stronghold of Bladon (or Bladow) on the site of the town called Mailduberi, Maldubesburg, Meldunesburg, etc., and finally Malmesbury, after him.
Aldhelm (c. 639–709) translated the complete Book of Psalms and large portions of other scriptures into Old English.
The Aenigmata are the only surviving collection of Latin riddles by a single author, and as such they have influenced the genre down to our own time, via the collections of Aldhelm and Tatwine.
Aldhelm |
The church is dedicated to St Laurence and may have been founded by Saint Aldhelm around 700, although the architectural style suggests a 10th or 11th century date.