Hyglac was an eighth century Catholic saintThe Oxford Dictionary of Saints from Anglo-Saxon England.
Very little is known of the life of this saint and he is known to history through the hagiography of the Secgan Manuscript. Stowe MS 944 , British Library However, he is best known through a letter from an anchorite Alchfrid (also known as Alcheriðus). In the letter, Hyglac is a lector of an unknown monastery in Northumbria (possibly YorkMichael Lapidge, Anglo Saxon Literature 600-899 (Continuum, 1996) page 393.). The letter, an exhortation to live a Godly Life,Michael Lapidge, Anglo Saxon Literature 600-899 (Continuum, 1996) page 393 appears to be text borrowed from the different sermons of various priests. Hyglac letter. It is preserved in a collection of letters of Alcuin. Oxford journals.
Hyglac was possibly a teacher of Aediluulf,Michael Lapidge, Anglo Saxon Literature 600-899 (Continuum, 1996) page 392. and was possibly a student of Alcuin.
His name derives from the Old German word for Courage and the archaic suffix, -lac meaning to carry on an action,Peterson, Lena (2007). "Lexikon över urnordiska personnamn". Swedish Institute for Language and Folklore. p. 39. (Lexicon of Nordic Personal Names Before the 8th Century). indicates he was Anglo Saxon.Michael Lapidge, Anglo Saxon Literature 600-899 (Continuum, 1996) page 286
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