This poem is usually ascribed to Bede, even though it sometimes was included in Alcuin's work, and is dedicated to Acca, Bede's spiritual father.

The author of its Old English derivant, the Judgement Day II poem, actually claims Bede as the author in his opening Latin verses. Over 40 extant MS versions prove the popularity of this poem. The 10th century insular MS BL Cotton Domitian A1 bears the closest resemblance to its vernacular relative 'with respect to variants and paragraphing'Click for footnote.

Latin version
Modern English Version