Tatwine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tatwine
Archbishop of Canterbury
Riddles of Tatwine, London, British Library, Royal MA 12 c xxiii folio 121v, showing Tatwine's riddles on philosophy and on faith, hope, and charity following on from the riddles of Eusebius
Appointed	731
Reign ended	30 July 734
Predecessor	Berhtwald
Successor	Nothhelm
Other posts	Abbot of Breedon-on-the-Hill
Orders
Consecration	10 June 731
Personal details
Born	c. 670
Died	30 July 734
Sainthood
Feast day	30 July
Venerated in	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	Pre-Congregation

Tatwine (born around 670 – died July 30, 734) was an important leader in the early English church. He served as the tenth Archbishop of Canterbury from 731 to 734. Before this, he was a monk and the head of a monastery.

Tatwine was also a talented writer. He created many riddles that we can still read today. He also wrote a book about Latin grammar for students learning the language. Later, he was recognized as a saint.

Tatwine's Life Story

Tatwine was born in a region called Mercia in England. When he died, he was described as being "in old age." This suggests he was likely born around the year 670.

He became a monk at a monastery in a place called Breedon-on-the-Hill. This area is now known as Leicestershire. Later, he became the abbot, or head, of that monastery.

In 731, King Æthelbald helped Tatwine become the Archbishop of Canterbury. This was a very important job, as the Archbishop was the main leader of the church in England. Tatwine was officially made Archbishop on June 10, 731. He was one of several leaders from Mercia who became Archbishop during this time.

Tatwine's time as Archbishop was quite peaceful. He consecrated, or officially appointed, two bishops in 733. These bishops were for the areas of Lindsey and Selsey. Tatwine passed away while still in office on July 30, 734. Because of his good deeds, he was later considered a saint. His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on July 30.

Tatwine's Writings

A famous historian named Bede described Tatwine as "a man notable for his wisdom, devotion, and learning." Tatwine showed these qualities in his two main types of writings that we still have today. These are his collection of riddles and his Latin grammar book.

His Latin Grammar Book

Tatwine's Latin grammar book is called Ars Gramattica Tatuini. It is one of only two Latin grammar books from England that still exist from the 700s. This book was a new version of an older grammar book by Aelius Donatus. Tatwine added more information from other grammar experts like Priscian and Consentius.

This book was not for beginners learning Latin. Instead, it was for students who already knew some Latin and wanted to learn more. It explained the eight main parts of speech (like nouns, verbs, and adjectives). Tatwine used examples from famous classical writers. He also included some examples from the Psalms, which are religious songs.

Tatwine finished this grammar book before he became Archbishop. It was used not only in England but also in other parts of Europe.

Tatwine's Riddles

Tatwine was likely inspired to write riddles after reading a book by another scholar named Aldhelm. Aldhelm's book combined Latin grammar with one hundred riddles. While some thought Aldhelm's influence was small, many scholars now believe Tatwine's riddles were greatly inspired by Aldhelm's.

Tatwine's riddles cover many different topics. These include ideas like philosophy and charity. They also describe everyday things like the five senses, the alphabet, a book, and a pen. A scholar named Mercedes Salvador-Bello believes Tatwine arranged his riddles in a careful order.

For example, riddles 1–3 and 21–26 are about religious ideas. Riddles 4–14 are about things used in church life, like a bell. Riddles 15–20 describe wonders or strange things. Riddles 27–39 are about tools and natural things, like an anvil or fire. The last riddle is about the sun's rays.

Tatwine's riddles can be found in two old manuscripts. These are very old handwritten books from the 1000s. In both books, Tatwine's riddles are written next to riddles by someone named Eusebius. It seems Eusebius added 60 riddles to Tatwine's 40 to make a collection of 100 riddles.

In one of his riddles, Tatwine shows that scholars in the Christian world were starting to accept philosophy. He wrote: "Of Philosophy: happy is he who can know my laws." Many of his riddles are acrostics. This means that the first letter of each line spells out a word.

Example Riddle

Here is an example of one of Tatwine's riddles, number 11, which is about a needle:

List of Riddles

Here is a list of the topics covered in Tatwine's riddles: