Bede
Overview
Bede is one of the most celebrated figures in the history of medieval Europe. Known as the “father of English history,” Bede was a prolific writer and scholar whose works had a profound impact on the development of Christianity, culture, and scholarship in Europe. Born in 672 in Northumbria, England, Bede lived during a time of great religious and cultural change in Europe, and his writings reflect his keen interest in these subjects.
Life
Bede was born in 672 in the kingdom of Northumbria, which was then part of Anglo-Saxon England. He was orphaned at an early age and was sent to live in a monastery at Wearmouth, where he was educated by the abbot, Benedict Biscop. At the monastery, Bede was immersed in a rigorous course of study that included the classics, the Bible, and Christian theology. He quickly showed a remarkable aptitude for learning and was soon advanced to more advanced studies. He was particularly interested in history and theology, and he spent much of his time reading and studying in these areas.
A depiction of Bede from the Nuremburg Chronicle, 1493
Bede remained at Wearmouth for the rest of his life, becoming a monk and eventually a priest. He continued to study and write, becoming known as one of the most learned men of his time. He was widely respected for his knowledge and expertise, and he was often consulted by bishops and other church leaders on matters of theology and history.
One of Bede’s most notable accomplishments was his work on the Ecclesiastical History of the English People. This was a comprehensive account of the history of Christianity in England, from the arrival of St. Augustine in 597 to the early eighth century. The work is notable for its use of primary sources, including letters, charters, and official documents, and for its detailed descriptions of the lives of important figures in English Christianity.
The Ecclisiastical History of the English People
Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People is a significant historical and religious work that provides valuable insights into the early history of England, specifically the rise of Christianity in the region. Written in the 8th century, Bede’s work is considered the most comprehensive and detailed account of the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to Christianity.
The book is divided into five parts and covers the period from the Roman invasion of Britain to the early 8th century, with a particular focus on the growth of Christianity. Bede relied on a variety of sources, including official records, personal accounts, and oral tradition, to provide a comprehensive and detailed history of the early English church.
The Ecclesiastical History also sheds light on the political and social context of the time, including the relationships between the different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the impact of Viking invasions on English society. The book also contains several interesting anecdotes, such as the story of Caedmon, the first English poet, and the account of the Synod of Whitby, which resolved the conflict between the Roman and Celtic churches.
Bede’s Ecclesiastical History had a significant impact on the development of English identity and culture. It helped to promote a sense of national identity by providing a shared history and mythology for the English people. The book was also influential in shaping the development of the English language, as Bede’s Latin prose style had a lasting influence on English literature.
Page from the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Folio 3v from the Codex Beda Petersburgiensis
Image: Page from the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Folio 3v from the Codex Beda Petersburgiensis
Other Works
Bede was a prolific writer who authored a number of works in addition to his most famous work, the “Ecclesiastical History of the English People.” These works include “The Reckoning of Time,” a treatise on the calculation of the date of Easter and the Julian calendar; “Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow,” a hagiography that describes the founding and early years of monasteries; “Homilies,” a collection of sermons on a variety of topics; “Commentaries on Scripture,” which demonstrate Bede’s skill as a theologian and interpreter of the Bible; and “Hymns,” which are notable for their poetic beauty and use of biblical imagery. Together, these works demonstrate Bede’s broad range of interests and deep knowledge of theology, history, science, and literature, as well as his commitment to the Christian faith and his desire to share his knowledge with others.
Criticism
While Bede is widely admired for his erudition and scholarship, his works have also been subject to criticism. One of the main criticisms of Bede’s works is that they are heavily biased towards the Christian perspective, and that he often uses history to justify Christian beliefs and practices. This has led some scholars to question the accuracy and objectivity of his works, and to argue that they should be read with a critical eye.
Another criticism of Bede’s works is that they are often overly focused on the religious aspects of history, at the expense of other important factors. This has led some scholars to argue that his works provide a limited and one-sided view of medieval Europe, and that they fail to capture the full complexity of the period.
Impact
Bede’s works had a profound impact on medieval Europe. His Ecclesiastical History was widely read and studied, and it became a model for subsequent works of history. The work also had a significant impact on the development of Christianity in England, providing a comprehensive account of the history of the church in the region and serving as a source of inspiration for subsequent generations of Christian scholars and leaders.
In addition to his impact on the development of Christianity, Bede was also influential in the development of English literature and culture. His works of poetry, in particular, were important in shaping the development of Old English literature, and his writings on grammar and language helped to standardize the English language.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Bede. Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Translated by Leo Sherley-Price, Penguin Classics, 1991.
Bede. The Lives of the Holy Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow. Translated by J.F. Webb and D.H. Farmer, Oxford University Press, 1983.
Bede. The Reckoning of Time. Translated by Faith Wallis, Liverpool University Press, 1999.
Bede. The Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church. Translated by John Mason Neale, J. Masters, 1852.
Mayr-Harting, Henry. The Venerable Bede. Oxford University Press, 1994.
Wallis, Faith. Bede: The Invention of the English. Oxford University Press, 2011.
Lapidge, Michael. The Making of Anglo-Saxon England. Yale University Press, 2013.
Brown, George Hardin. Bede, the Venerable. In The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 2, edited by Charles G. Herbermann, 1907.
Photos:
Whitby Abbey:
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. [cropped]
Caedmon
© Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. [cropped]