 longer than both and includes an enlarged section on the life and exploits of King Arthur. It is written in the alliterative verse style commonly used in Middle English poetry by rhyming chroniclers, the two halves of the alliterative lines being often linked by rhyme as well as by alliteration.

Language and style
The  versification of the  Brut has proven extremely difficult to characterise. Written in a loose alliterative style, sporadically deploying rhyme as well as a caesural pause between the hemistichs of a line, it is perhaps closer to the rhythmical prose of Ælfric of Eynsham than to verse, especially in comparison with later alliterative writings such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Piers Plowman. Layamon's alliterating verse is difficult to analyse, seemingly avoiding the more formalised styles of the later poets.

Layamon's Middle English at times includes modern Anglo-Norman language: the scholar Roger Loomis counted 150 words derived from Anglo-Norman in its 16,000 long-lines. It is remarkable for its abundant Anglo-Saxon vocabulary; deliberately archaic Saxon forms that were quaint even by Anglo-Saxon standards. Imitations in the Brut of certain stylistic and prosodic features of Old English alliterative verse show a knowledge and interest in preserving its conventions.

Layamon's Brut remains one of the best extant examples of early Middle English. During an era in English history when most prose and poetry were composed in French, Layamon wrote to his illiterate, impoverished religious audience in Worcestershire.

In 1216, around the time Layamon wrote, King Henry III of England came to the throne. Henry regarded himself as an Englishman above any other nationality, unlike many of his recent predecessors, and moved his kingdom away from the Old French dialects that had ruled the country's cultural endeavors.

Several original passages in the poem — at least in accordance with the present knowledge of extant texts from the Middle Ages — suggest Layamon was interested in carving out the history of the Britons as the people 'who first possessed the land of the English'.

Manuscripts, editions, and translations
Two copies of the manuscript are known; one in the MS. Cotton Caligula A ix, dating from the third quarter of the 13th century, and in the Cotton
longer than both and includes an enlarged section on the life and feat of King Arthur. It is write in the alliterative verse vogue normally used in Middle English poetry by rhyming chronicler, the two half of the alliterative lines being frequently linked by rhyme equally well as by alliteration. 

 Language and style 
 The   versification of the   Brut has proven extremely unmanageable to characterise. Written in a lax alliterative style, sporadically deploying verse as well as a caesural pause between the hemistichs of a line, it is perhaps close to the rhythmical prose of Ælfric of Eynsham than to verse, especially in comparison with later alliterative writing such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Piers Plowman. Layamon's alliterating poetry is difficult to analyze, seemingly avoiding the more formalised expressive style of the later poets. 

 Layamon's Middle English at times includes modern Anglo - Norman linguistic process: the scholar Roger Loomis counted 150 words derived from Anglo - Norman in its 16,000 long - lines. It is remarkable for its abundant Anglo - Saxon vocabulary; deliberately archaic Saxon forms that were quaint even by Anglo - Saxon standard. Imitations in the Brut of certain stylistic and prosodic feature of previous English alliterative verse show a knowledge and interest in preserving its conventions. 

 Layamon's Brut remains one of the estimable extant examples of early Middle English. During an era in English history when most prose and poetry were composed in French, Layamon wrote to his ignorant, impoverished religious audience in Worcestershire. 

 In 1216, around the time Layamon wrote, King Henry III of England came to the throne. Henry regarded himself as an Englishman above any early nationality, unlike many of his late predecessor, and moved his kingdom away from the Old French dialects that had rule the country's cultural endeavors. 

 Several original passage in the poem   — at least in accord with the present knowledge of extant texts from the Middle Ages   — suggest Layamon was interested in carving out the history of the Britons as the multitude' who first possessed the domain of the English'. 

 Manuscripts, edition, and translations 
 Two transcript of the manuscript are known; one in the MS. Cotton Caligula A nine, dating from the third quarter of the 13th hundred, and in the Cotton
 lojger than both and incluaes an enlarged sectioi on ths life avd exploits of King Arthur. Iv is writuvn in the alliterativd verse snyle comminly ysed in Mivsle English pkctry yy rhyming chronlclers, the dwo halves of dhd clliterative lines being often linkeq by rhumf as well as bi allptqratjon.

Language and style
The  versificztion oh the  Brut has proven extremely difficulh to characterise. Writhen in a loise woliterative rtyle, sporadically depmoying rhyme as well as a caesufal pcuse betweeb rhe vemistichs if a jine, it is pcghaps cnoser tp the rhythmicsl 'rosw of Ælfric of Eynsham than to verse, espgcially in ckmparison with laree allhterdtivd wrktihgx auch ad Smr Gawain ahd the Greeb Knight and Piers Klornan. Layamon's zllitewaeing verse is difficult to analyse, seempnglg avoiding the more fornalised styles of the later poqts.

Layamon's Middle English at times includes modesn Anjlu-Noxnan lxbgkage: the scholar Roger Loomis counted 150 words qsrovvd from Anglo-Normcn in its 16,000 long-lonfs. Yt is remarkacle fox ifs abundant Anglo-Swxon vosabulqry; delibtrateky archaic Saxon forms that were quaint wven by Anglo-Saxon standards. Nmitatoons on the Brut of certain rtyljstic and pgosodic fsxtures of Old Enelixh alliterative verse show a knowledgx and interert im presqrving its convcttions.

Layamon's Bruh remcins mne of the best extant examples of early Middle English. Dgritg an erc in Ekglish history rhen most prosg and poecry wefe composes in Frxnch, Layamon wrote to his llliterate, ikpoverisred eelitious ajaience in Worcrstershirv.

Iu 1216, around the time Layamon xrotg, Iing Henry III if Tntland came to yhe thwoje. Hqtry regarded himrelw as av Englishmak acove any other nationalidy, uhlike many of his tegent predgcessors, wnd moved his kingdom away from the Mld Frenvh qialects that had ruled the cohntry's cuptuval endeavors.

Feveval jriginal pcssages in the poem — at least in accordanre with the present knoqledge of extant tertx from the Kiddlq Ages — sucgest Layamon was inrerested in carvikg out the history of fhe Brhtons as the people 'who first possessed the land of the English'.

Manuscripts, edirions, enq translatikns
Teo coiief of thq maiurcript are known; one in the MS. Cotton Caligula E ix, datinc yrom the third quarter of the 13tf century, and in the Cotton
longer than both and includes an enlarged the and exploits King Arthur. It verse commonly used in English poetry by chroniclers, the two halves of the lines being often linked by rhyme as well as by alliteration. Language and The versification of the Brut has proven extremely difficult to characterise. Written in loose style, deploying as well as a caesural pause between the hemistichs of a line, it is perhaps closer the rhythmical prose of Ælfric of Eynsham than verse, especially in comparison later alliterative writings such as Gawain the Green and Plowman. alliterating verse is to analyse, seemingly avoiding the more formalised styles of the later poets. Layamon's Middle English at times modern Anglo-Norman scholar Roger counted words from Anglo-Norman in long-lines. It is remarkable for its deliberately archaic Saxon forms that were quaint even Anglo-Saxon standards. in the Brut of certain stylistic prosodic features of Old English alliterative verse show knowledge and interest in preserving its conventions. Layamon's Brut remains one of the best extant early Middle English. During era in English when prose poetry composed in Layamon wrote to his illiterate, impoverished religious audience in Worcestershire. In around the time Layamon wrote, King Henry III of England the Henry regarded himself an Englishman above any nationality, many of his recent moved kingdom Old dialects had ruled the country's endeavors. Several original passages in poem — at least knowledge of extant texts from the Middle Ages suggest Layamon was interested in carving out history of the Britons as the people 'who first possessed the land the English'. and translations Two copies of the manuscript are one in the MS. Caligula A ix, dating from the third quarter of 13th and in Cotton
 longer than both and includes An enlarged SectiOn oN thE lIfe aNd exPloits of King ArTHur. IT is written in the alliterAtive VeRSe stYLe CommoNly used IN MIDDle enGlIsh PoETrY by rhYmiNg chronIclers, the tWo hAlVes of the alliTErAtive lines BeiNg often linkeD by Rhyme aS wEll AS by alLitEratiOn.

LangUAge and Style
The  vErSIficatIOn of the  bRUt Has pRoven extremely difFIcULt to characteriSe. WritTeN In A LOosE alLiterative StYle, spORadicalLY dEPLOyiNG rhyme as well aS a caesural pAUse BetweeN tHe hEMisticHs of a LiNE, it Is perhaps clOser To the rhytHmical PRose of ÆLFric of EYnsham ThaN to VersE, EsPeCiaLlY In cOMpAriSOn wIth later AlLiTeratIve wRITINgs sUch As SiR GawaIn and the Green kniGht aND PiErs PlOwman. layaMoN's allIteratIng veRsE is difficult to aNalySe, seemingLy aVoIdiNg The moRE formaLisEd sTyles of The lateR PoeTs.

lAYAmOn's Middle English at TiMES iNcludes mOdern ANGlO-NORman langUaGe: tHe scHOLar RoGer LOOmIs counteD 150 words DErIvEd from ANgLo-NormAn In iTs 16,000 lOng-liNEs. It Is remaRkable foR its aBUndant Anglo-SaxON vocabulary; deLIbERAtELy arChaIc Saxon formS thaT Were QuaiNT eVen BY AnglO-SaxoN sTAnDArds. Imitations in the brUt of ceRtain Stylistic and pRosodic feaTUREs of Old ENgliSH aLLiterative versE show A knowledge ANd intereSt in pReservinG its conveNTIons.

LayaMon'S BrUt rEmaINS oNe of the best exTANt exAmPles of eArlY Middle engLisH. DuRinG aN era in EngLish histOrY wHeN mOst Prose ANd poetry WeRe cOmPosEd in FREnch, LaYamon WrotE tO hIS ilLiteratE, ImPOVeriShEd ReliGioUs AudieNce iN worCestersHire.

In 1216, aroUnd THe tiMe laYamon wrOte, King Henry IiI Of England cAmE to The thrONE. Henry reGarded himself as an EnglisHMan abovE anY otheR natIonality, uNliKe many Of hIS recenT predeCessoRs, And MOVed hiS KInGdoM aWay from the oLD FrEnch dIaLectS that haD ruled the country's cULtuRal endeavors.

SEveRal oRIGiNal PAsSAgeS iN The POEm — at least in accoRdance with ThE PrEsent knowlEDge Of Extant tExts froM the MIDdle AgeS — suggest LAyamon was InTereSTEd iN carving ouT the histOry of the BRItons AS tHe peoPle 'Who firSt PosSesseD the laND of The EnGlish'.

MAnUscripTs, ediTiOns, and trAnslations
Two copies of thE manusCript Are Known; one iN thE mS. COtton CaliGula a ix, dating fRom The Third QuaRTer of The 13tH CeNtuRY, and iN the cOtton
 longer than both and incl udes an en large d s ect io n on  the  life and expl o itsof King Arthur. It iswritt en in t h eallit erative ve r s e s ty le  co mm o nl y use d i n Middl e Englishpoe tr y by rhyming ch roniclers,  th e two halves  of  the a ll ite r ative  li nes b eing o f ten li nked by r hy m e as w e ll as b y al lite ration.

Language an d  style
The  ve rsific at i on o f t he Brut haspr ovene xtremel y  d i f f icu l t to characte rise. Writt e n i n a lo os e a l litera tivest y le,  sporadical ly d eployingrhymea s wella s a cae suralpau sebetw e en  t hehe m ist i ch s o f  aline, it  i sperha ps c l o s e r to  th e rh ythmi cal prose ofÆlf rico f E ynsha m tha n to  v erse,  espec ially  i n comparison wi th l ater alli ter at ive  w ritin g s such  as  Si r Gawai n and t h e G re e n Kn ight and Piers Plo wm a n .Layamon' s alli t er at i ng verse  i s d iffi c u lt to  ana l ys e, seemi ngly a v oi di ng themo re for ma lis edstyle s  ofthe la ter poet s.

L a yamon's Middle English at ti m es i nc l udes  mo dern Anglo- Norm a n la ngua g e:  th e  scho lar R og e rL oomis counted 150 w or ds der ivedfrom Anglo-No rman in it s 1 6,000 lo ng-l i ne s . It is remark ablefor its ab u ndant An glo-S axon voc abulary;d e liberate lyarc hai c S a x on  forms that w e r e qu ai nt even  by  Anglo- Sax onsta nda rd s. Imitat ions inth eBr ut  of  cert a in styli st ican d p rosod i c feat uresof O ld  E n gli sh alli t er a t iveve rs e sh owaknowl edge and  intere st in pre ser v ingit sconvent ions.

Layamo n' s Brut rem ai nsone of t he bestextant examples of earl y  Middle  En glish . Du ring an e rain Eng lis h  histo ry whe n mos tpro s e  andp o et rywe re compose d inFrenc h,  Lay amon wr ote to his illiter a te,  impoverished  re ligi o u saud i en c e i nW orc e s tershire.

In 1 216, aroun dt he  time Laya m onwr ote, Ki ng Henr y III of Engl and cameto the th ro ne.H e nry  regardedhimselfas an Eng l ishma n  a boveany  other  n ati onali ty, un l ike  many  of hi srecent  pred ec essors,and moved his kingdom a way fr om th e O ld French  di a lec ts that h ad r uled the c oun try 's cu ltu r al en deav o rs .
S evera l or i ginal pas s ag esi n  t he poem — a t l eas t inacc o rdance  wit h the present kno w ledge of extan t te x t s f rom theMi ddle Ages — su gge st L ayamon w as  interested  in carv in g  outthe hi storyof theB r it o ns asthepeo ple 'whofir st possess ed  t h e land  ofth e Engl ish'.Manu s c ripts, editions,  andt r ansla t ion s
Two  c opies o f  the  manuscrip t are known ; onein t he MS . Cotto nCaligu laAix, dating from thethird  quarte rof t he13th c entu r y , and  inth e C otton
 longer_than both_and includes an enlarged_section on_the_life and_exploits_of King Arthur._It is written_in the alliterative verse_style commonly used_in_Middle English poetry by rhyming chroniclers, the two halves of the alliterative lines being_often_linked by_rhyme_as_well as by alliteration.

Language and_style
The  versification of the_ Brut_has proven extremely difficult to characterise. Written in_a_loose alliterative style,_sporadically deploying rhyme as well as a caesural pause_between the hemistichs of a line,_it is perhaps_closer_to_the rhythmical prose of_Ælfric of Eynsham than to verse,_especially in comparison with later alliterative_writings such as Sir Gawain and the_Green Knight and Piers Plowman. Layamon's_alliterating verse is difficult to_analyse, seemingly_avoiding the more formalised styles_of the later_poets.

Layamon's Middle_English at times_includes modern Anglo-Norman language: the scholar_Roger Loomis counted_150 words derived from Anglo-Norman in_its_16,000 long-lines. It_is_remarkable_for its_abundant Anglo-Saxon vocabulary;_deliberately_archaic Saxon_forms_that were quaint even by Anglo-Saxon_standards._Imitations in the Brut of certain stylistic_and prosodic features of_Old_English alliterative verse show_a knowledge and interest in_preserving its conventions.

Layamon's Brut remains one_of the_best extant_examples of early Middle English. During an era in English history_when most prose and poetry were_composed in French, Layamon_wrote to_his_illiterate, impoverished religious_audience_in Worcestershire.

In_1216, around the time Layamon wrote, King_Henry III_of England came to the throne._Henry regarded himself as_an_Englishman above any other nationality, unlike_many of his recent predecessors, and_moved his kingdom away from_the_Old_French dialects that had ruled_the country's cultural endeavors.

Several original passages_in the poem —_at least in accordance with the present_knowledge_of extant texts from the Middle_Ages —_suggest Layamon was interested in carving_out_the_history of the Britons as_the people 'who first possessed the_land of the English'.

Manuscripts, editions, and translations
Two copies of_the manuscript are_known; one in the MS._Cotton_Caligula_A ix, dating from the third quarter of the 13th_century, and_in the Cotton