RICHARD SHARPE (Ed.), with contributions by JANET BURTON, MICHAEL GULLICK and NICHOLAS KARN, Foundation Documents from St Mary’s Abbey, York: 1085–1137, Surtees Society Publications, Vol. CCXXVII

Abstract

work. Acca of Hexham who commissioned some of Bede’s theological works is seen as a major influence, particularly on matters to do with Bishop Wilfrid. Acca’s removal from office in 731 meant that some aspects had to be suppressed and he is not acknowledged in the Preface. King Ceolwulf is seen as a more commanding influence than has often been the case. Ceolwulf retired to the monastery of Lindisfarne in 737, and it is suggested that the emphases on the need for church reform and on the achievements of Bishop Aidan and of other Irish missionaries from the monastery reflect the king’s influence. A marked change in approach can certainly be seen from the chronicle that Bede appended to De Temporum Ratione (probably completed in 725) in which no reference is made to Aidan or any of his associates. But the emphasis on the patrons produces a Bede who is something of a cipher, merely writing what he has been told to do, which does not seem to fit comfortably with his confidence as a theological commentator in the tradition of the Fathers of the Church. The praise of Aidan seems too heartfelt not to be Bede’s own, and as he had his own links with Lindisfarne, Bede presumably had his own impressions to draw upon. But Shaw admits that he has only been able to concentrate on some facets, and that a wider study of all Bede’s sources of information is needed to put the work fully in context. Shaw devotes more space to When and Why than to How. He produces a calculation table and suggests Bede prepared something similar to date events by a variety of means and to get them in order. The table consists in modern print of 18 double pages each with 16 columns. This is relatively straightforward to set out with a modern computer, but how would Bede have managed it with parchment and waxed tablets? We are still far from knowing all that is to be known about the construction of the Ecclesiastical History, but Shaw throws up many questions that need to be asked even if certain answers may be hard to come by. He has read very widely and thoroughly, and his book provides an excellent overview of the current state of play in the study of Bede’s most famous work. Prospective readers may, however, want to wait for the appearance of a paperback edition, as the hardback is an eyewatering £120 for 300 pages (though an ebook is also available).