Bede was born near
St. Peter and
St. Paul monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow, England. He was sent there when he was three and educated by Abbots Benedict Biscop and Ceolfrid. He became a
monk at the monastery, was ordained when thirty, and except for a few brief visits elsewhere, spent all of his
life in the monastery, devoting himself to the study of
Scripture and to teaching and writing. He is considered one of the most learned men of his
time and a major influence on English literature. His writings are a veritable summary of the learning of his
time and include commentaries on the
Pentateuch and various other books of the Bible, theological and scientific treatises, historical works, and biographies. His best-known work is HISTORIA ECCLESIASTICA, a history of the English Church and people, which he completed in 731. It is an account of
Christianity in England up to 729 and is a primary source of early English history. Called "the Venerable" to acknowledge his
wisdom and learning, the title was formalized at the Council of
Aachen in 853. He was a careful scholar and distinguished stylist, the "father" of English history, the first to date events anno domini (A.D.), and in 1899, was declared the only English
doctor of the Church. He died in Wearmouth-Jarrow on May 25. His
feast day is May 25th
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