Ceolfrid: history, hagiography and memory in seventh- and eighth-century Wearmouth–Jarrow
Simon Coates
This article investigates the manner in which Wearmouth–Jarrow was able to define itself as a religious community through it remembered activities of its former abbot, Ceolfrid. Ceolfrid's memory cultivated two written texts: anonymous Vita Ceolfridi and Bede's Historia Abbatum. The explores nodal points around both texts constructed paying particular attention gifts he made his involvement liturgy. It also contextualises Lives by analysing from Frankish Gaul they used models or shared similar concerns. concludes considering differences between argues that Bede consciously sought deliberately forget certain aspects career response threat perceived Bishop Wilfrid had presented late seventh- early eighth-century Northumbrian Church.
Journal of Medieval History