Latin was the preferred written language of the Roman government during this era and the Germanic languages were predominantly spoken tongues. As a consequence, the absence of any Limburgish literature from this time should come as a no surprise, since the language was not written at the time. Furthermore, the spoken form of West Germanic in those days had not yet developed the features that came to be seen as typical of its modern linguistic successors. Nevertheless, some works do exist that have been written in a Germanic which could be viewed as a precursor to several contemporary languages.

The earliest known text of such Germanic origin is a partial East Germanic translation of the Bible by a Gothic bishop named Wulfila (311-383 CE). He used a self-devised alphabet consisting of Greek and Latin letters, as well as Germanic rune signs. It should be clear that this translation can only be seen as a very indirect precursor to the Limburgish language.

The 7th century also provides us with a literary work written in the common Germanic language, a text ascribed to a woman who lived in the administrative district of the southern Meuse region in Limburg. This text is known as ’t Vizioenebook (‘The Book of Visions’) and was written by the Holy Aldegunda or Aldegunde, who is believed to have lived around 630-684 CE. The book would remain a popular read and a study aid until the 9th century. As a result, this literary-religious work can be seen as a precursor to much of the literature that would become prevalent in Limburg during the Middle Ages.

References
Janssens, U., De Oude Belgen; Geschiedenis, leefgewoontes, mythe en werkelijkheid van de Keltische stammen, The House of Books, 2007.
Jappe Alberts, W. , Geschiedenis van de beide Limburgen, Van Gorcum, Assen, 1972.
Robinson, O. W., Old English and its closest relatives; A survey of the earliest Germanic languages, Stanford University Press, 1992.
Roymans, N., Ethnic Identity and Imperial Power. The Batavians in Early Roman Empire, in: Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 10, Ch. 4, Amsterdam, 2004.
Vries, de, J. W., Willemyns, R., Bruger, P., Het verhaal van een taal; negen eeuwen Nederlands, Prometheus Amsterdam, 1993, 15.
Wal, van der, M., Geschiedenis van het Nederlands, Utrecht, 1992.
Willemyns, R., Het verhaal van het Vlaams; De geschiedenis van het Nederlands in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden, Standaard Uitgeverij Antwerpen, 2003, 37-39.

http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/vooy001gesc01_01/vooy001gesc01_01_0003.htm, 20 (17-01-2008).