There, his education was overseen by Abbot Ceolfrid. Boys of superior intelligence were entrusted to the local monastery in hopes that their hard work and diligence would secure a position for them within the church.īede adapted well to life in the monastery and was soon moved to another monastery in Jarrow, located five miles from Wearmouth.

This was a common practice in the Middle Ages because parents frequently could not support all of their children. Bede's life ended in the same manner he had lived it-praising God.Īt the age of seven, Bede's education and upbringing were entrusted by his parents to Abbot Benedict Biscop of Wearmouth Abbey in England. One last time, Bede wished to 'sit and call on my Father.' As he chanted 'Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,' his voice became weaker and weaker and then finally ceased altogether. Upon completing his task, Bede asked the young scribe Wilbert to help him to raise his head so he could face the holy place where he usually prayed. It was a title given to very few historical figures of whom we have knowledge. The title 'Venerable' was probably bestowed upon him by his pupils in special recognition of his great learning and obvious dedication to God.

We know the man who undertook this monumental task as the Venerable Bede. At last, having transcribed the final words of John's gospel, the scribe Wilbert exclaimed, ' It is finished, Master.' And so, 700 years after Jesus said, 'I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me,' his words were translated into Anglo-Saxon, the forerunner of our English language. 'Then write quickly,' replied the old man as he continued his laborious dictation. 'There is only one sentence still unfinished, Master,' he said. The young scribe had been at work for hours, but his writing hand did not falter. Here is the story of Bede, a church historian and devoted follower of Christ. Although his record of church history would be studied for generations to come, it was his translation of Scripture that consumed his final hours. Over a thousand years ago, an old man struggled to finish his final work.

History of the english church bede