The Cambridge Companion to Bede

A key introductory guide for students to Bede's cultural world, his writings, and his reputation in later times.

Scott DeGregorio (Edited by)

9780521730730, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 May 2010

304 pages, 10 b/w illus. 5 maps
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.47 kg

'A welcome contribution to the field.' The Review of English Studies

As the major writer and thinker of the Anglo-Saxon period, the Venerable Bede is a key figure in the study of the literature and thought of this time. This Companion, written by an international team of specialists, is a key introductory guide to Bede, his writings, and his world. The first part of the volume focuses on Bede's cultural and intellectual milieu, covering his life, the secular-political contexts of his day, the foundations of the Latin learning he inherited and sought to perpetuate, the ecclesiastical and monastic setting of early Northumbria, and the foundation of his home institution, Wearmouth-Jarrow. The book then considers Bede's writing in detail, treating his educational, exegetical and historical works. Concluding with a detailed assessment of Bede's influence and reception from the time of his death up to the modern age, the Companion enables the reader to view Bede's writings within a wider cultural context.

Preface Scott DeGregorio
Chronological table
Part I. Bede's Life and Context: 1. Bede's life in context Michelle Brown
2. Secular and political contexts James Campbell
3. The world of Latin learning Rosalind Love
4. Church and monastery in Bede's Northumbria Sarah Foot
5. British and Irish contexts Clare Stancliffe
6. The foundation of Bede's Wearmouth-Jarrow Ian Wood
Part II. Bede's Writings: 7. Bede and education Calvin B. Kendall
8. Bede and science Faith Wallis
9. Bede and the Old Testament Scott DeGregorio
10. Bede and the New Testament Arthur G. Holder
11. Bede and preaching Lawrence T. Martin
12. Bede and history Alan Thacker
Part III. Reception and Influence: 13. The cult of Bede David Rollason
14. Bede and the continent in the Carolingian Age and beyond Joshua Westgard
15. Bede and later Anglo-Saxon England Sharon Rowley
16. The Englishness of Bede, from then to now Allen J. Frantzen
Further reading.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Literary theory [DSA]