Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People

Description

Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" was completed in 731 and still ranks among the most popular of history books. By the end of the eighth century copies of it were to be found in many parts of England and on the Continent, some of these being still extant. If it were not for Bede's history we should know little about the Anglo-Saxon invasion and the beginnings of Christianity in England, and such familiar names as Edwin and Oswald, Cuthbert and Chad, Hilda and Caedmon would be almost forgotten. The present edition makes use for the first time of the mid-eighth century manuscript now in Leningrad, provides a survey of the extant manuscripts, and a new translation; it also attempts to bring up to date Plummer's invaluable edition published seventy years ago. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY xi ABBREVIATIONS xv HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION (by B. C.) I. Bede and the History xvii II. Bede's Life xix III. Bede's Monasticism xxiii IV. Bede's Library xxv V. Northumbria and the West xxvii VI. The "History": its models and sources xxx VII. The Miracles xxxiv VIII. Bede's Style xxxvi TEXTUAL INTRODUCTION (by R. A. B. M.) I. The state of our text xxxix II. Our authorities for the text xlii III. The text in England xlvi IV. The text in France lxi V. The text in Germany lxv VI. Copies containing the "Continuation" lxvii VII. The text in Italy lxix VIII. The printed editions lxx Appendix of Obituary verses lxxiii Index of Manuscripts lxxv THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE 1 CUTHBERT'S LETTER ON THE DEATH OF BEDE 579 INDEX OF QUOTATIONS 589 GENERAL INDEX 595