A tentative "terminus post quem" is based on the two textual variations of Cynewulf's name, Cynewulf and Cynwulf. The older spelling of the name was "Cyniwulf", and Sisam points out that the tends to change to an about the middle of the eighth century, and the general use of the phases itself out by the end of the century, suggesting Cynewulf cannot be dated much before the year 800. Moreover, it has been argued that the "cult of the cross", which can find ground in Cynewulf's "Elene", achieved its cultural apex in the eighth century.