The Venerable Bede is a crucial figure for Anglo-Saxonists, arguably the most important, known character from the period. A scholar of international standing from an early period of the Anglo-Saxon church [c.672-732], he was the author not only of the well-known Ecclesiastical History of the English People, but also of scriptural commentaries, hagiographies, scientific works, admonitory letters, and poetry. This book provides an informative, comprehensive, and up-to-date guide to Bede and his writings, underlining in particular his importance in the development of European history and culture. It places Bede in his contemporary Northumbria and early Anglo-Saxon England, dedicates individual chapters to his works, and includes a chapter on Bede's legacy for subsequent history.
GEORGE HARDIN BROWN is Professor of English emeritus, Stanford University.
Reviews
A reliable, capacious, and engaging guide to the immense and varied corpus of Anglo-Saxon England's most influential author. JOURNAL OF ENGLISH AND GERMANIC PHILOLOGYAn excellent handbook that summarizes each of Bede's writings, puts it in the context of his output, and locates editions and translations. Recommended. CHOICE