Bede S Ecclesiastical History Of The English Nation
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(Re-)Reading Bede
Bede's Ecclesiastical History is the most important single source for early medieval English history. Without it, we would be able to say very little about the conversion of the English to Christianity, or the nature of England before the Viking Age. Bede wrote for his contemporaries, not for a later audience, and it is only by an examination of the work itself that we can assess how best to approach it as a historical source. N.J. Higham shows, through a close reading of the text, what light the Ecclesiastical History throws on the history of the period and especially on those characters from seventh- and early eighth-century England whom Bede either heroized, such as his own bishop, Acca, and kings Oswald and Edwin, or villainized, most obviously the British king Cædwalla but also Oswiu, Oswald's brother. In (Re-)Reading Bede, N.J. Higham offers a fresh approach to how we should engage with this great work of history. He focuses particularly on Bede's purposes in writing it, its internal structure, the political and social context in which it was composed and the cultural values it betrays, remembering always that our own approach to Bede has been influenced to a very great extent by the various ways in which he has been both used, as a source, and commemorated, as man and saint, across the last 1,300 years.
Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
Bede's best-known work is the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, or An Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Completed in about 731, the first of the five books begins with some geographical background, and then sketches the history of England, beginning with Caesar's invasion in 55 B.C. A brief account of Christianity in Roman Britain, including the martyrdom of St Alban, is followed by the story of Augustine's mission to England in 597, which brought Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons. The second book begins with the death of Gregory the Great in 604, and follows the further progress of Christianity in Kent and the first attempts to evangelize Northumbria. These ended in disaster when Penda, the pagan king of Mercia, killed the newly Christian Edwin of Northumbria at the Battle of Hatfield Chase in about 632. The setback was temporary, and the third book recounts the growth of Christianity in Northumbria under kings Oswald of Northumbria and Oswy. The climax of the third book is the account of the Council of Whitby, traditionally seen as a major turning point in English history. The fourth book begins with the consecration of Theodore as Archbishop of Canterbury, and recounts Wilfrid's efforts to bring Christianity to the kingdom of Sussex. The fifth book brings the story up to Bede's day, and includes an account of missionary work in Frisia, and of the conflict with the British church over the correct dating of Easter. Bede wrote a preface for the work, in which he dedicates it to Ceolwulf, king of Northumbria. The preface mentions that Ceolwulf received an earlier draft of the book; presumably Ceolwulf knew enough Latin to understand it, and he may even have been able to read it. The preface makes it clear that Ceolwulf had requested the earlier copy, and Bede had asked for Ceolwulf's approval; this correspondence with the king indicates that Bede's monastery had excellent connections among the Northumbrian nobility. (courtesy of wikipedia.com)
Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
In 'Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England,' The Venerable Saint Bede offers a meticulous chronicle of the Christian Church in England, marking the spread of Christianity from Roman times through the early 8th century. Bede's narrative is characterized by its rigorous scholarship and elegant Latin prose, setting a benchmark for historical writing. This seminal work not only elucidates the ecclesiastical milestones, but also intertwines them with the broader socio-political tapestry of the period, offering invaluable insights into the cultural and religious life of early medieval England. This edition by DigiCat Publishing honors the text's historical significance, carefully curating it for contemporary audiences while maintaining its literary essence and contextual relevance. The author, The Venerable Saint Bede, known as the 'Father of English History,' was a monk, teacher, and scholar residing in the monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth and its companion monastery of Saint Paul at Jarrow. His scholarly pursuits were vast, encompassing theology, chronology, and history, all of which culminate in this magnum opus. His profound religious convictions and his access to an impressive repository of ancient texts and scholarly resources of his time undoubtedly shaped the meticulous and comprehensive nature of this historical account. For those interested in the spiritual and temporal odysseys of early Britain, 'Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England' is a treasure trove of erudition. Scholars, students of history, and those with a penchant for religious studies will find in Bede's work a foundational text that provides an authoritative glimpse into the intricate blend of faith and history. DigiCat's dedication to preserving the integrity and accessibility of classic literature ensures that Bede's wisdom continues to enlighten and inform generations to come.