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The Venerable Bede

During his lifetime, the Venerable Bede rarely left his home monastery at Jarrow, yet the influence of this humble monk from Northumbria was felt throughout Europe and continues across the world today.

"…it has always been my delight to learn or to teach or to write." Bede, around 731

Bede's Story

Most of what is known about Bede’s life comes from a short note at the end of his book The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written around 731. Nothing is known of his family, but he was born in about 673 near to the monastery of Wearmouth, and aged 7 was given to the monastery to be educated, as children often were at the time. His first teacher was Benedict Biscop, and then later he moved to the newly-founded monastery at Jarrow with Abbot Ceolfrith, where he would remain as a monk.

Bede rarely travelled from his monastery, but dedicated himself to study. Wearmouth-Jarrow was a renowned centre of learning, with one of the best libraries in Europe, and Bede was considered its finest scholar. During his lifetime Bede wrote or translated around 40 books, including commentaries, letters, hymns and poems, on subjects including religion, science, history, astronomy, mathematics and language.

Bede died as he lived – teaching and praying. He fell ill, but wanted to finish a translation of the Gospel of John, so continued dictating to a scribe. On the evening of 26th May 735, Bede gave his few possessions away to his fellow monks then, having dictated the final line of the text, sang praises to God, and died.

Venerable, Saint and Doctor

The title most often used for Bede is ‘Venerable’, meaning ‘respect is due’. Legend tells that a fellow monk had been given the job of composing a Latin memorial for Bede’s gravestone, but was struggling to find the right words. He fell asleep, and when he awoke found an angel had miraculously filled in the gap:

Hac sunt in fossa Bedae Venerabilis ossa
In this grave are the bones of the Venerable Bede

In 1899 Bede was officially ‘canonised’ or made a saint. He was also declared a ‘Doctor of the Church’, a title given to saints who have made significant contributions to church teachings. There are only 37 Doctors, and Bede is the only English person to hold this title.

Bede and Durham

There are several stories about how Bede came to be buried at Durham Cathedral. The one most often told involves Alfred Westou, an 11th century monk whose duties included looking after the Shrine of Saint Cuthbert. Alfred wanted to bring the remains or relics of as many Northumbrian saints as possible to Durham. He was worried that the relics were not getting as much attention as they should where they were, and also hoped to bring more pilgrims to visit Durham and Cuthbert.

In around 1022 he visited Jarrow monastery, where Bede was buried. Alfred realised the monks there would not let him take Bede away, so he waited until he was alone in the church, then took the bones, hurrying home to Durham. Placing the bones in a linen bag inside Cuthbert’s coffin, Alfred told only a few close friends, swearing them to secrecy. Many years later, after Alfred’s death, the bag was found in Cuthbert’s coffin and its contents revealed as the remains of Bede.

Bede's Legacy

Bede’s reputation had spread even before his death, and soon the monks at Wearmouth-Jarrow were overwhelmed by the demand for copies of his writings. Many of Bede’s books on language or maths were used as standard teaching for centuries, and his writing on science laid the foundations of modern study.

With the invention of printing in the 1450s Bede’s books could reach an even wider audience and his works on the early history of the Church and England are still considered among the best and most reliable sources. Bede continues to hold a special place in the heart of the North East, where he lived and worked.

…Bede lived hidden away in the extreme corner of the world, but after his death he lived on in his books and became known to everyone all over the world.”

Symeon of Durham, about 1107

Rediscovered cast of St Bede’s skull brought to Durham Cathedral Museum after more than 190 years

More than 190 years after it was made, the rediscovered cast of St Bede’s skull has arrived at Durham Cathedral Museum as part of the new exhibition which marks 1000 years since Bede’s remains were brought to Durham Cathedral.

Bede's Tomb

Find out about the tomb of the Venerable Bede, now in the Galilee Chapel, and how it has changed over the years.