Alexander of Ashby facts for kids

Alexander of Ashby was an important English thinker and writer who lived around the year 1220. He was known for his skills as a theologian (someone who studies religion) and a poet (someone who writes poems).

What We Know About Alexander

Not much is known about Alexander's life. We do know that he was a prior at Canons Ashby Priory in Northamptonshire, England. A prior is like a leader in a monastery, similar to an abbot.

Some people think Alexander was born in Somersetshire, while others believe he came from Staffordshire. He has sometimes been confused with another person named Alexander Neckam, who was also a writer.

Alexander's Writings and Poems

Alexander of Ashby wrote many works in prose, which is regular writing, not poetry. One of his important prose works was a chronicle, or history, of England. These writings can still be found in old manuscripts today.

He also wrote a lot of poetry. Alexander tried to write his poems in the style of famous ancient Roman poets like Ovid and Ausonius. A writer named John Bale praised Alexander's poetry very highly.

Famous Poems by Alexander

Among his many poems, Alexander wrote one in a style called elegiacs. This poem described all the saints' days throughout the year. It also included stories about the lives of the saints celebrated on each day. He also created a poem that was a short, rhyming summary of the Bible's history.