A Companion to Bede: A Reader's Commentary on the Ecclesiastical History of the English People
Peter Eaton
A Companion to Bede: Reader's Commentary on The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. By J. Robert Wright. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008. x + 152 pp. $25.00 (cloth). In Saint Paul's Church in Jarrow, chancel which is remains a chapel from monastery time Bede himself, there an original seventh-century circular stone window. And that window some earliest stained glass survive us, also seventh century. glass, was found during excavations at and set into window, one several remarkable physical connections between world ours. Happily, even Bedes relics - rare feat England. Like other shrines, his tomb destroyed Reformation, but suffered very different fate those, for example, Thomas Becket, whose were scattered sadly lost. His elegant Galilee Chapel Durham Cathedral. entered Wearmouth age seven, and, as far we know, life about sixty-two years, he never traveled farther than Lindisfame north York south. He brought sister foundation Jarrow (some seven miles distant) when it founded 6S2, fortunately Bede. founder diese two houses, Benedict Biscop, managed amass great libraries age. For whole world. abilities exceptional, crucial source our knowledge period. finished not long before death 735, fifth book shows signs able bring contents final proper order. But popularity works, including History, immediate. All books (he extremely productive) copied prodigiously, spread rapidly, became part staple diet medieval curriculum. Scarcely sixty-five years after manuscript Carolingian court, copies throughout France ninth has no lack attention modern times, standard edition by Colgrave Mynors, model critical scholarship. have needed help serious non-specialist reader, Wright given us just such book. This volume will be value undergraduate graduate, seminarian Christian educator, well scholar. After brief helpful introduction, takes through chapter chapter, packs huge amount information relatively short space. feels overwhelmed. …
Anglican theological review