Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum

The Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (in English: Ecclesiastical History of the English People) is a work in Latin by the Venerable Bede on the history of the Christian church in England, and of England generally.

Related Topics:
English - Latin - Venerable Bede - History - England

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It is considered to one of the most important original references on Anglo-Saxon history. It is believed to have been written in 731, when Bede was approximately 60 years old.

Related Topics:
Anglo-Saxon - 731

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Divided into five books (about 400 pages), the Historia covers the history of England, ecclesiastical and political, from the time of Julius Caesar to the date of its completion (731). The first twenty-one chapters, covering the period before the mission of Augustine, are compiled from earlier writers such as Orosius, Gildas, Prosper of Aquitaine, the letters of Pope Gregory I, and others, with the insertion of legends and traditions.

Related Topics:
Julius Caesar - Augustine - Gildas - Pope Gregory I

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After AD 596, documentary sources, which Bede took pains to obtain, are used, as well as oral testimony, which he employed along with critical consideration of its value. He cited his references and was very concerned about sources of all his sources. He is credited with inventing footnoting.

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