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 - Neval

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

Book Language: English

Ever wonder how England became Christian? It wasn't a simple switch. Bede, an 8th-century monk, gives us the inside story in his 'Ecclesiastical History.' This is the original source material for everything we know about early England—the kings, the battles, the miracles, and the slow, messy process of a pagan land turning to a new faith. Think of it as the foundational drama of England, written by someone who lived just a few generations after it all happened. It’s not just dry facts; it's full of personality, strange events, and the very human struggle between old ways and new beliefs. If you've ever been curious about where the story of England really begins, this is your starting point.

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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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This isn't a novel with a single plot. Instead, Bede gives us a grand, sweeping account of England from the Roman invasion to his own time in the 700s. The central thread is the arrival and spread of Christianity across the different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. He starts with the Romans leaving and the pagan Angles and Saxons moving in, then follows the mission of St. Augustine, sent by the Pope to convert the English. The 'story' is really about the clashes and conversions: proud kings debating faith, missionaries performing wonders, and the slow, often fragile, establishment of churches and monasteries. It ends with England largely Christian, but with Bede warning about moral decline in his own day.

Why You Should Read It

You get to hear the voice of one of history's great minds. Bede is a sharp, curious, and devout narrator. His world is one where faith and daily life are completely intertwined, so you'll read about royal politics right next to accounts of healing miracles. It’s fascinating to see how he builds his case, using documents and stories from across Britain. This book created the very idea of 'England' as a single, Christian people. Reading it feels like accessing the source code for English history and identity.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who want to go straight to the primary source, or for anyone who loves foundational myths and origin stories. It’s also great if you enjoy medieval literature or religious history. Be prepared for a different style of writing—it's organized by year and mixes history with legend. But if you can settle into its rhythm, you’re getting history straight from the monk who arguably wrote it first. A challenging but utterly rewarding classic.

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