Tatwin was a Mercian by birth. He became a monk at the monastery at Breedon-on-the-Hill in the present-day County of Leicestershire,[1][2] and then abbot of that house.[3] Through the influence of King Ęthelbald he was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 731 and was consecrated on 10 June 731.[4] Apart from his consecration of the Bishops of Lindsey and Selsey in 733, Tatwine's period as archbishop appears to have been uneventful. He died in office on 30 July 734.[4] Later canonized, his feast day is 30 July.[5]
Writings
Bede's commentary on Tatwin states: vir religione et Prudentia insignis, sacris quoque literis nobiliter instructus (a man notable for his prudence, devotion and learning). These qualities were displayed in the two surviving manuscripts of his riddles and four of his Grammar. The grammar was based on the works of Priscian and Consentius, but in a simple manner best suited for beginners to the language. The riddles deal with such diverse topics as philosophy & charity, the five senses & the alphabet and a book & a pen.[6] The grammar is a reworking of Donatus's Ars Minor with the addition of information drawn from other grammarians. It was not designed for a newcomer to the Latin language, but is designed for more advanced students.[7] It covers the eight parts of speech through illustrations drawn from classical scholars, although not directly but through other grammatical works. There are also some examples drawn from the Psalms. The work was completed before he became archbishop, and was used not only in England but also on the continent.[8] The grammar was published as Ars Grammatica in 1868 by August Wilmanns.
Notes
References
Lapidge, Michael "Tatwine (d. 734)" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, 2004 Online Edition accessed 7 November 2007
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