The first book written in Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, is believed to be "Cædmon's Hymn," which is a short religious poem attributed to a Northumbrian herdsman named Cædmon who lived in the 7th century. The poem is preserved in the 10th century manuscript known as the Vercelli Book, which is a collection of Old English religious texts. "Cædmon's Hymn" is an important early example of Old English literature and a precursor to the epic poetry that would become a defining feature of the language.