De temporibus anni is introduced to us as an lytel cwyde be gearlicum tidum (1), but as well as chronology, it covers cosmology and the sequence of Creation, the rudiments of computus, and elements of natural science, particularly meteorology. The work treats in order the following themes:

Since the nineteenth century it has been accepted as an early work by Ælfric, but in fact we have only secondary evidence that it was written by him. Nowhere in the text does he identify himself as the author, and in only one manuscript, CUL, Gg. 3. 28 (hereafter referred to as G), where it immediately follows the two series of Catholic Homilies, does DTA appear in intimate association with Ælfrician material. However, the early date of this particular manuscript, its apparent proximity to Ælfric's own scriptorium, and the fact that it is carefully copied, make it a very important witness. The vocabulary, style and clarity of expression of DTA are characteristically Ælfrician, and as long ago as 1883, Maclean could state that ‘it is now universally and rightly conceded that Ælf. wrote De Temp.’ (sic).

The point may be illustrated by reference to Appendix 3, which sets out parallels between passages in DTA and in some other works which are unquestionably from the pen of Ælfric, namely his homilies, saints’ lives and Hexameron. The similarity of wording is often striking, as for instance in the following examples:

DTA, 8: þa cwæð he gewurðe leoht, 7 leoht wæs ðærrihte geworden. CH I. 1, 101–2: He cwæð; Geweorðe leoht. 7 ðærrihte wæs leoht geworden;