The Fates of the Apostles

"The Fates of the Apostles" (Vercelli Book, fol.

It is a brief martyrology of the Twelve Apostles written in the standard alliterative verse.

The Fates recites the key events that subsequently befell each apostle after the Ascension of Jesus.

It is possible that The Fates was composed as a learning aid to the monasteries.

Cynewulf speaks in the first-person throughout the poem, and besides explaining the fate of each disciple, he provides “advice” and “consolation” to the reader.