Historiae Ecclesiasticae Gentis Anglorum - Saint Bede the Venerable
•Author: Saint Bede the Venerable (Bæda Venerabilis) Editor:Johannis Smith, S.T.P., Canon of Durham
•Edition: First published 1722 ,
•Publisher: Printed Cambridge (Cantabrigiae), by the Academic Press (Typis Academicis)
•Format: 2o Folio, 39cm x 26cm single Volume
•Language: Latin and Anglo-Saxon
•Binding: Original boards with replaced spine in brown leather. Crease in front endpaper hinges cracked but well attached
•Condition Text and plates: Very good, slight tear in map but complete, slight damp staining to corner of last few sheets , no text affected little foxing but shading to a few pages
•Bibliographic index: OCLC 18530521
•Collation: [16], 823, [17] pages Signatures: [a]-d² A-I² K-3S⁴ 3T-7R² (7R2 blank) Three unnumbered plates frontispiece, opposite pages 264 and 805 and a folded map opposite page 654.
Description: Bede’s Historiae Ecclesiasticae Gentis Anglorum is a foundational work of early English history and one of the most important sources for the early medieval period in Britain. Written in Latin by the Northumbrian monk Bede the Venerable, it chronicles the history of Christianity in England from the Roman occupation up to Bede’s own time in the early 8th century. The work is divided into five books, each detailing key events in the Christianisation of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the lives of saints and missionaries (like St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. Cuthbert), and the political and ecclesiastical developments of the time. The most authoritative edition is the 1722 Cambridge edition edited by John Smith, which also includes Bede’s other historical works.
Significance:
•Historical Value: It offers the earliest comprehensive account of early English history and the spread of Christianity in Britain.
•Linguistic and Cultural Importance: It preserves early legends, genealogies, and cultural observations otherwise lost.
•Scholarly Impact: Bede’s methodical approach, use of sources, and chronological structuring make it a precursor to modern historical writing.
•Theological Perspective: The text reflects Bede's deep Christian worldview, interpreting events as part of divine providence.
