Audiobooks by The Venerable Bede

The Life and Miracles of St Cuthbert

For centuries, St Cuthbert (c. 634-687) was the most worshipped saint in England, revered for his virtuous life and his miracles. Even centuries after his death, stories were told of his body remaining ‘incorrupt' in his tomb. What we know about his work and character comes from the records and significantly from the writings of the Venerable Bede (673-735). His Life of St Cuthbert (published in 721) was part of the tradition of hagiography, a reverential biography of a saint. Bede diligently collected accounts, both written and word of mouth, to compile his work. Probably born in Northumberland and educated by monks - initially at Melrose Abbey - Cuthbert's religious practice, unusually, encompassed activities as monk, bishop and finally hermit. The numerous reports of his piety, his virtue, his ascetism and a reputation for healing made him a respected figure in his lifetime. These were difficult political times, and he clearly had diplomatic and administrative skills as well, which led to his appointment as bishop of Lindisfarne. However, his personal monastic leanings made him unhappy to occupy such a worldly position, and after a short time he resigned. Feeling his death was imminent he retired to his cell on Inner Farne island where, after a period of illness, he died. Bede's endearing Life, written within living memory of its subject, presents an untarnished view of St Cuthbert, whose shrine in Durham Cathedral, nearly 1,400 years on, continues to attract visitors and pilgrims. Translated by J. A. Giles.

The Venerable Bede (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People was written in Latin by the Venerable Bede (673-735), a Benedictine monk living in Northumbria, an important Christian centre in the eighth century. It is a remarkable document, tracing, in general, early Anglo-Saxon history, and in particular, as the title proclaims, the growth and establishment of Christianity against the backdrop of the political life. Bede finished it in 731 and immediately sent it to its dedicatee Ceolwulf, the king of Northumbria, who had expressed strong interest in the project. Bede starts his history, after a brief geographic description of the island, with the arrival of the Romans - first of all Caesar and then Claudius, through to Severus and Diocletian. He comments on the Christian persecution during Roman rule and recounts in some detail the martyrdom of St Alban. Bede explains how the withdrawal of Roman rule in the fifth century ushered in a period of great instability with incursions by the Scots and Picts, then the Germanic peoples, Angles, Saxons and Jutes. But he notes the important turning points in the sixth century, Augustine's mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons, the continuing influence of Pope Gregory the Great; and in the seventh century, the decision at the Council of Whitby (in 664) that ecclesiastical rule would come from Rome rather than the monks in Ireland. Thereafter, the religious course of England was set. While religious developments are important to Bede - including his noted obsession with the timing of Easter - he does catalogue secular events and developments as well, and historians of our time regard his account as accurate and fascinating, giving us a fair picture of life in England in the days before Alfred the Great (847-899). This recording uses the classic revised translation by A.M. Sellar. It opens with a biography of the Venerable Bede himself - clearly a remarkable individual - including the contemporaneous account of Bede's death in 735, written by Cuthbert to Cuthwin. The recording closes with a short account of the history of the early manuscripts and translations of the Ecclesiastical History.

The Venerable Bede (Author), Peter Wickham (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

Christ Our Morning Star (Praying with Bach)

Christ Our Morning Star includes reading of the eponymous prayer by The Venerable Bede followed by magical Harp music based on original composition of Johann Sebastian Bach, a devout Christian and gifted composer and musician. Bach composition includes: Prelude and Fugue in C major BWV 846 adapted for Harp and performed by Greg Cetus.

Greg Cetus, Johann Sebastian Bach, The Venerable Bede (Author), Greg Cetus, Josh Verbae (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free