The Ends and Futures of Bede’s De temporum ratione
James T. Palmer
The imminence of history’s end weighed heavily on Bede’s mind.1 He did not doubt, following the teachings St Augustine Hippo, that God alone knew exact time End. But his hero Pope Gregory Great had taught English there was little left, and speculation rife chronological traditions might reveal something about timing Last Judgement.2 eschatological thought, alongside hints some arguments he with contemporaries, is revealed in many writings, including commentary Revelation, ‘Letter to Plegwine’ wideranging computistical handbook, De temporum ratione.3 At very this last work (Chapters 66–71) Bede set out one clearest articulations Augustinian apocalyptic doing so gave Carolingian world its most popular resources time. Yet, despite prima facie situation implied by intellectual ‘authority’ approving thought another ‘authority’, a notably controversial thing for have done it led argument both at home continental Europe. It purpose
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