Final answer:
England's first written literature was prompted by the spread of Christianity, which introduced a culture of literacy through the Church. Latin became the language of educated elites in Europe, and the translation of religious texts played a significant role in the creation of written works.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impetus for England's first written literature was d) the spread of Christianity. When the Roman Empire spread the Christian religion across Europe, it brought with it a tradition of written scholarship. This included the copying of religious texts, which in turn influenced the creation of other written works in the vernacular. Christianity introduced a new literacy culture to regions like England, where Latin became the language of the church and the educated elites. Through the work of monasteries, written literature began to flourish, preserving religious doctrine, as well as secular history and culture.
During the Medieval period, the Church was the main repository of learning and literacy. Many of the first texts we have from England are religious in nature, due to the Church’s role in education and its need to create and distribute religious texts. The spread of Christianity was closely linked with the spread of literacy in medieval Europe, leading to the creation and distribution of written literature.
The increase in literacy and book production was also aided by advancements in paper production and print technology. The introduction of paper from China around 770 CE made book production less costly and labor-intensive compared to working with parchment. Eventually, the translation and dissemination of knowledge from various cultures helped enrich the body of available literature and learning in Europe.