Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
'Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England ' Summary
The Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, or An Ecclesiastical History of the English People is Bede's best-known work, completed in about 731. The first of the five books begins with some geographical background and then sketches the history of England, beginning with Julius Caesar's invasion in 55 BC. 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 evangelise Northumbria. These encountered a setback 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 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.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
LatinPublished In
AD 731Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Authors
The Venerable Bede
England
Bede also known as Saint Bede, The Venerable Bede, and Bede the Venerable (Latin: Beda Venerabilis), was an English monk at the monastery of St. Peter and its companion monastery of St. Paul in the Ki...
Books by The Venerable BedeDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Witch Stories by Eliza Lynn Linton
Eliza Lynn Linton's "Witch Stories" delves into the chilling history of witchcraft accusations in England and Scotland during the 15th and 16th centur...
Goodfriday, 1613. Riding Westward by John Donne
John Donne's 'Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward' is a meditative poem that reflects on the themes of sin, redemption, and the transformative power of...
Bible (KJV) Apocrypha/Deuterocanon: Prayer of Manasses by King James Version
The Prayer of Manasses is supposed to have been the prayer of Manasses King of Judah when he repented from his idolatrous ways when he was held captiv...
The Life and Death of Cardinal Wolsey by George Cavendish
Step into the captivating world of Tudor England as George Cavendish unveils the extraordinary life and tragic downfall of one of history's most influ...
Collected Works of Saint Patrick by Saint Patrick
St. Patrick's Breastplate - This prayer is attributed to St. Patrick and his disciples. It is written with some Celtic pagan elements, but is definite...
Bible (KJV) 00: Introduction by King James Version
The introduction to the KJV Bible revealed the thanks of the translators to "TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE JAMES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF GR...
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Vol. VI by Edward Gibbon
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a major literary achievement of the 18th century published in six volumes, was written by the...
The Chronicles of America Volume 12 - Washington and his Comrades in Arms by George Wrong
Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of the American Revolution, as "Washington and his Comrades in Arms," Volume 12 of "The Chronicles of A...
Four Weeks in the Trenches by Fritz Kreisler
Four Weeks in the Trenches offers a first-hand account of the harrowing experiences of a soldier on the Eastern Front during World War I. Through Frit...
Bible (ASV) NT 05: Acts by American Standard Version
The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. Acts tells the story of the Early Christian church, with...
Reviews for Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
No reviews posted or approved, yet...