![Book Cover of Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England](/image/book/bedes-ecclesiastical-history-of-england.webp)
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
Author
![The Venerable Bede image](/thumbs/image/author/the-venerable-bede.webp)
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...
More on The Venerable BedeDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
![The Chronicles of America Volume 12 - Washington and his Comrades in Arms Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-chronicles-of-america-volume-12-washington-and-his-comrades-in-arms.webp)
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...
![The Saga of the Greenlanders Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-saga-of-the-greenlanders.webp)
The Saga of the Greenlanders by Anonymous
Step into the untamed wilderness of Greenland, where Norse explorers dared to venture into the unknown, encountering new lands, strange inhabitants, a...
![Margaret of Anjou Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/margaret-of-anjou.webp)
Margaret of Anjou by Jacob Abbott
Margaret of Anjou, wife of England’s Henry VI, played a key role in launching the storied War of the Roses – the 30-year civil conflict fuelled by the...
![Short History of the Christian Church Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/short-history-of-the-christian-church.webp)
Short History of the Christian Church by J. S. Fletcher
"The present work has as its basis the series of five Short Histories by the same author, which appeared in the following order: The Reformation, 1884...
![The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 01 Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-great-events-by-famous-historians-volume-01.webp)
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 01 by Charles F. Horne
Delve into the annals of history and witness the unfolding of momentous events that shaped civilizations and societies in "The Great Events by Famous...
![The Citizen's Almanac Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-citizens-almanac.webp)
The Citizen's Almanac by United States of America
New citizens of the United States were given this pamphlet when they became citizens. The Citizen's Almanac contains information on the history, peopl...
![The Crimes of England Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-crimes-of-england.webp)
The Crimes of England by Gilbert K. Chesterton
"Second, when telling such lies as may seem necessary to your international standing, do not tell the lies to the people who know the truth. Do not te...
![The Chronicles of America Volume 13 - The Fathers of the Constitution Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-chronicles-of-america-volume-13-fathers-of-the-constitution.webp)
The Chronicles of America Volume 13 - The Fathers of the Constitution by Max Farrand
Uncover the hidden secrets and pivotal decisions that shaped the very foundation of the United States in "The Fathers of the Constitution," Volume 13...
![Magna Carta Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/magna-carta.webp)
Magna Carta by Anonymous
Magna Carta Libertatum commonly called Magna Carta (also Magna Charta; "Great Charter"), is a royal charter of rights agreed to by King John of Englan...
![The Athenian Empire Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-athenian-empire.webp)
The Athenian Empire by George William Cox
This provides a detailed history of the Athenian Empire, which was one of the most significant political powers in Greece during the 5th century BCE....
Reviews for Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
No reviews posted or approved, yet...