Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England by Saint the Venerable Bede

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Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England by Saint the Venerable Bede

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By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025

In Category - Adventure

Authors: Bede, the Venerable, Saint, 673-735 Published By : Bede, the Venerable, Saint, 673-735

Book Language: English

So I just finished this incredible book written in the 700s, and I have to tell you about it. It’s called Bede's Ecclesiastical History, and it’s basically the original story of how England became England. Forget dry history—this is a wild ride of kings converting to Christianity, mysterious miracles, Viking raids, and political drama, all told by a monk who lived through some of it. The main thing that hooked me was this big question: how did a bunch of warring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, with their old gods, become one Christian nation? Bede is our guide, and he’s got all the gossip from 1,300 years ago. It’s surprisingly readable and feels weirdly immediate, like he’s sitting across from you, telling the story of his world.

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aforesaid enemies, they were reduced to greater distress than before. Chap. XIII. How in the reign of Theodosius the younger, in whose time Palladius was sent to the Scots that believed in Christ, the Britons begging assistance of Ætius, the consul, could not obtain it. [446 A.D.] Chap. XIV. How the Britons, compelled by the great famine, drove the barbarians out of their territories; and soon after there ensued, along with abundance of corn, decay of morals, pestilence, and the downfall of the nation. Chap. XV. How the Angles, being invited into Britain, at first drove off the enemy; but not long after, making a league with them, turned their weapons against their allies. Chap. XVI. How the Britons obtained their first victory over the Angles, under the command of Ambrosius, a Roman. Chap. XVII. How Germanus the Bishop, sailing into Britain with Lupus, first quelled the tempest of the sea, and afterwards that of the Pelagians, by Divine power. [429 A.D.] Chap. XVIII. How the some holy man gave sight to the blind daughter of a tribune, and then coming to St. Alban, there received of his relics, and left other relics of the blessed Apostles and other martyrs. [429 A.D.] Chap. XIX. How the same holy man, being detained there by sickness, by his prayers quenched a fire that had broken out among the houses, and was himself cured of his infirmity by a vision. [429 A.D.] Chap. XX. How the same Bishops brought help from Heaven to the Britons in a battle, and then returned home. [430 A.D.] Chap. XXI. How, when the Pelagian heresy began to spring up afresh, Germanus, returning to Britain with Severus, first restored bodily strength to a lame youth, then spiritual health to the people of God, having condemned or converted the Heretics. [447 A.D.] Chap. XXII. How the Britons, being for a time at rest from foreign invasions, wore themselves out by civil wars, and at the same time gave themselves up to more heinous crimes. Chap. XXIII. How the holy Pope Gregory sent Augustine, with other monks, to preach to the English nation, and encouraged them by a letter of exhortation, not to desist from their labour. [596 A.D.] Chap. XXIV. How he wrote to the bishop of Arles to entertain them. [596 A.D.] Chap. XXV. How Augustine, coming into Britain, first preached in the Isle of Thanet to the King of Kent, and having obtained licence from him, went into Kent, in order to preach therein. [597 A.D.] Chap. XXVI. How St. Augustine in Kent followed the doctrine and manner of life of the primitive Church, and settled his episcopal see in the royal city. [597 A.D.] Chap. XXVII. How St. Augustine, being made a bishop, sent to acquaint Pope Gregory with what had been done in Britain, and asked and received replies, of which he stood in need. [597-601 A.D.] Chap. XXVIII. How Pope Gregory wrote to the bishop of Arles to help Augustine in the work of God. [601 A.D.] Chap. XXIX. How the same Pope sent to Augustine the Pall and a letter, along with several ministers of the Word. [601 A.D.] Chap. XXX. A copy of the letter which Pope Gregory sent to the Abbot Mellitus, then going into Britain. [601 A.D.] Chap. XXXI. How Pope Gregory, by letter, exhorted Augustine not to glory in his miracles. [601 A.D.] Chap. XXXII. How Pope Gregory sent letters and gifts to King Ethelbert. [601 A.D.] Chap. XXXIII. How Augustine repaired the church of our Saviour, and built the monastery of the blessed Peter the Apostle; and concerning...

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Let's be clear: this isn't a novel with a single plot. It's the foundational story of early England, told in five parts by a Northumbrian monk named Bede around the year 731. He starts with the Roman occupation and Britain's geography, then gets to the good stuff: the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons. The real narrative engine is the spread of Christianity across these pagan kingdoms. We follow key figures like Pope Gregory the Great, who sent missionaries, and King Edwin of Northumbria, whose dramatic conversion is a highlight. The book chronicles the struggles between kingdoms, the establishment of monasteries (like Bede's own Wearmouth-Jarrow), and the cultural shifts that defined a nation.

Why You Should Read It

First, Bede has a voice. He's not a detached historian; he's a passionate storyteller with opinions. You feel his pride in the English church and his worry about its future. The famous "sparrow" speech, where a counselor compares human life to a bird flying through a lit hall, is profound and beautiful. Second, it's packed with moments that are just cool—reports of miracles, visions, and political intrigue that show how faith and power were totally intertwined. You get a real sense of the people, their fears, and what they believed was possible.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone curious about where England—and much of Western Christianity—really started. It's for readers who love primary sources and want to hear history from a witness (or near-witness). If you enjoyed books like The Anglo-Saxons or even the deep history in Tolkien's work, you'll find Bede fascinating. It requires a bit more focus than a modern history, but the payoff is connecting directly with a brilliant mind from the Dark Ages. It’s the ultimate origin story.

✅ Copyright Status

This book is widely considered to be in the public domain. It is available for public use and education.