Bede the Venerable, Saint (c. 672–735)

Often called the father of English history, the Venerable Bede (Latin: Baeda), born in Northumbria, recorded the history of early medieval England, supported the reunification of the Celtic churches with the Roman Church, and popularized the term anno Domini (AD) in calendar dating. Bede's histories and chronicles became a model of historical writing and the standard reference works in Europe, especially during the Carolingian Renaissance, being copied multiple times and circulated throughout Europe. The Venerable Bede's literary works cover a variety of topics: biblical commentaries, hagiography, homilies and liturgical works, historical texts (Ecclesiastical History of the English People, History of the Abbots of Wearmoutk and Jarrow), and scientific works (On Nature, On Time, On the Computation of Time)

In Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People (EH), completed in 731, Bede informs the readers that he was born in the territory of the monasteries of Saint Peter and Saint Paul at Wearmouth and Jarrow (founded in 674 and 680). At the age of 7, Bede's “kinsmen” entrusted him to the care of the abbots Biscop (also called Benedict) and Ceolfirth at these monasteries for his education. Bede lived a disciplined life within the monastic rule, receiving ordination as deacon at the age of 19 and priest at the age of 30. Although Bede did not travel far from Northumbria, he acquired an understanding of geography, providing place names and physical features; he recognized the various societal groups in England and Ireland and recorded the accounts of influential individuals. Bede's histories, chronicles, and letters reveal his awareness of the chronology of past events, as well as a grasp of current facts (e.g., the state of kingdoms and well-being of his community and neighbors).

Under the direction of Abbot Biscop, the sister monasteries at Wearmouth and Jarrow stood out as a center for the arts and scholarship, welcoming Continental artists, liturgical directors, and scholars. These two monasteries worked together, sharing resources and an extensive and impressive library. The Northumbrian monks and their library and archives provided Bede with an example of historical study, meticulous record keeping, and adequate sources.

Historians strongly emphasize the significance of Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People. This work provides the most accurate and detailed account of Christianity in Britain and Ireland from the late 200s to the mid-700s, recording biographies (e.g., Oswald, Columba, Aidan, Cuthbert) and crucial events. During the so-called Dark Ages, this history also explains the daily life of early medieval England and encouraged the spread of education, literacy, and a growing sense of national identity. Therefore, it appropriately became one of the earliest national histories and another important regional history of Christianity. [Page 80]The Venerable Bede supported the moral benefit of history, saying, “Should history tell of good men and their good estate, the thoughtful listener is spurred on to imitate the good; should it record the evil ends of wicked men, no less effectually the devout and earnest listener or reader is kindled to eschew what is harmful and perverse, and himself with greater care pursue those things which he has learned to be good and pleasing in the sight of God” (Preface, EH). Although the EH possesses historical value, Bede primarily wrote to show the spread of Christianity in England, hoping to convert others to the Christian faith.

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