Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus (c. 735-804)

Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus (c. 735-804), or Alcuin of York as he is commonly referred to, was was an English scholar, clergyman, poet and teacher born in  Northumbria. As a young man he was to the York school associated with the cathedral there, a renowned centre of learning at the time. He became a teacher at the school and eventually head. It is thought that, although officially a cleric, Alcuin was not a monk and was never ordained as priest.

In 781 Ælfwald I of Northumbria sent Alcuin to Rome with a petition to confirm York as an archbishopric. Together with Canterbury it remains, to this day, one of the two archbishoprics in England.

In 782 Alcuin can be found in the court of Charlemagne where he was appointed became master of the Palace School of Charlemagne in Aachen. He became tutor to Charlemagne and his sons.

In his work as a scholar he worked with Rabanus Maurus Magnetius (c.780 – 856).

Hymns associated with Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus (c. 735-804).

• Eternal Light Shine in My Heart (Warrington, Organ, 3 verses)