The Venerable Bede

by Benedicta Ward

"In a short span this book contrives to be a masterly introduction to one of the major figures of early English history, in all aspects of his scholarship and personality. Students and general readers will find it invaluable, while professional scholars, not least those interested in Bede the historian, will be very grateful for the survey of his scriptural writings. Sister Benedicta combines good judgement with an almost pretematural sympathy for her subject. Her style is lucid and readable, her choice of quotations inspired". Professor Henry Mayr-Harting, Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Oxford.

Genres: Biography, History, Christianity

148 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Benedicta Ward, SLG was a British Anglican nun, theologian, and historian who specialized in early Christian spirituality and medieval theology. She was a lifelong member of the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God at Fairacres in Oxford.

Ward is best known for popularizing the Apophthegmata Patrum through her translation, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, alongside major contributions to the study of St. Anselm of Canterbury, the Venerable Bede, and medieval miracles, including The Prayers and Meditations of St. Anselm and Miracles and the Medieval Mind.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, concise, learned and full of care for her subject.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough and interesting assessment of the life and works of St Bede the Venerable, particularly concerning his influence on the rest of Europe and European history in general. He was a lot more influential than most folks realize - if you've written a date as A.D. anytime, you are referring back to St Bede, who was the person who set that whole system up, back in the 700s AD (see what I did there?). A good read.

[Richard Spring · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tough cookie