How, When and Why did Bede Write his Ecclesiastical History?

Scholars have spent the last half-century investigating the writing of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, and this new study is the first to consider the 'how' and the 'when'. Richard Shaw shows that Bede was working on it for as much as twenty years, from c. 715 to just before his death in 735. The work had several contexts, each with its own distinct constructed audiences, and was not written for a single purpose to the exclusion of all others. It was written over time and as the world changed, so too did Bede's reasons for writing, the intentions he sought to pursue, and the patrons he hoped to please or placate.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Bedes' Ecclesiastical History serves as our primary source for understanding early Christian Anglo-Saxon England, but the process of its composition remains a subject of scholarly inquiry. Over the past fifty years, scholars have dedicated significant efforts to unraveling the "why" behind the writing of this historical text. In a groundbreaking study, Richard Shaw takes us on a journey to explore the "how" and "when" of Bede's composition. What emerges is a compelling narrative that challenges our previous assumptions. Shaw demonstrates that Bede did not conceive of the History as a singular work completed in 731. Instead, he worked on it for an extended period, spanning approximately twenty years, from around 715 to just before his passing in 735. This revelation sheds light on the intricate and sometimes conflicting evidence surrounding the book's purposes. It suggests that Bede's work did not have a single, fixed context but rather encompassed multiple audiences with distinct constructed purposes. Furthermore, the History was not written solely for a single objective or driven by a multitude of reasons. Rather, it evolved over time, reflecting the changing world and the evolving intentions and desires of Bede as an author. As the world transformed, so too did Bede's reasons for writing, the goals he sought to achieve, and the individuals he sought to please or appease. This study offers a fresh perspective on Bede's Ecclesiastical History, challenging us to reevaluate our understanding of its composition and its significance in the broader context of early Christian Anglo-Saxon society.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032185651