St Bede

St Bede c. 672 – May 25, 735

St Bede – also known as the Venerable Bede – is widely regarded as the greatest of all the Anglo-Saxon scholars. He wrote some forty books on practically every area of knowledge, but most of his writing was on theology and history.

The Venerable Bede was probably born in Monkton, Durham, and by the age of seven he had joined a Benedictine monastery at Wearmouth. In 682 he moved to Jarrow. By the age of 19 he had become a deacon and was promoted to priest at 30.

Although eagerly sought by kings and other notables, even Pope Sergius, Bede managed to remain in his own monastery until his death. Only once did he leave for a few months in order to teach in the school of the archbishop of York.

His writings in Latin fall into three main groups: grammatical and scientific; exegetical; and historical. His most famous contribution to historical writing is his lively account of the conversion of the British, entitled Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum. The work was completed in 731. As an early historian, he is admired for his exhaustive collation of evidence and accounts and recognised as a proponent of verification wherever possible. For his contribution he earned the title ‘Father of English History’.

Bede died in 735 praying his favourite prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As in the beginning, so now, and forever.”

And I pray thee, loving Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom to appear forever before Thy face.

The crest of St Bede is a pitcher of water with light from Heaven pouring forth the abundant material of salvation.