Customer Reviews

The Age of Bede (Penguin Classics)

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This Penguin Classics volume has had a somewhat complicated history, and those who are familiar with earlier editions, and wondering whether to bother with the new one, or are not familiar with it at all, and are considering a used copy, should be aware of the differences.

It began as a shorter (206 page) Penguin Classics volume called (a little grandly) "Lives of the Saints," published in 1965. This version, edited and translated by J.F. Webb, contained the *The Voyage of Brendan,* Bede's *Life of Cuthbert* (from the prose version), and the *Life of Wilfrid,* by Eddius Stephanus. The first is a legendary account of the supposed sea voyages of an actual Irish abbot, and was one of the most popular works of the Middle Ages. The Venerable Bede's account of St. Cuthbert was commissioned by a monastic community devoted to his memory, and is based mainly on an earlier anonymous "Life," which Bede himself had earlier adapted in verse, and had drawn on for a much less miraculous account of its hero in his "History of the English Church." This complicated redaction history is not unusual, but for once we know that three of the versions came from the same hand. The "Life of Wilfrid" is a partisan account, by one of his followers, of a Northumbrian bishop who somehow managed to have almost as many disputes with his friends as with his enemies. (Bede also deals with Wilfrid in his "History," with considerably less enthusiasm than Eddius shows.)

This version had considerable internal coherence, as it illustrated the variety of literature found under the heading of "Lives of the Saints," and various roles as edifying entertainment, institutional piety, and partisan propaganda. The three texts are also roughly contemporary, and, as should be clear, reflect Irish and British traditions of hagiography. It was reprinted through at least the mid-1970s (I have a copy from 1975). The quality of the translations of all three is fairly high, although some readers initially entertained by Brendan's symbol-laden adventures in a visionary North Atlantic were probably let down by the increasingly terrestrial and political tone of the remainder.

"The Voyage of St. Brendan" (not to be confused with the Latin and Middle Irish "Lives" of this saint) is connected to a larger body of secular accounts of fantastic sea voyages from medieval Ireland (Maelduin, Bran, and others, some no longer extant). It is not clear which Irish tradition influenced the other, however. Bits and pieces of the Brendan version seem credible, but their connection with him may be as much an invention as the psalm-singing birds and terrestrial paradises he and his monks are said to encounter. Since the other Irish voyage stories (*immrama*) seem to have been unknown elsewhere, and the Latin "Voyage" was both copied and translated throughout Europe, it should be credited with a major role in making Irish literary motifs a part of the European tradition.

It probably is in the background of William Morris' story of voyages to marvelous islands, "The Water of the Wondrous Isles" (1895), very likely of the quest in "The Glittering Plain" (1891) and possibly of the setting of his "The Earthly Paradise" (1868-70). The "Navigatio" was certainly known to C.S. Lewis when he wrote "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." Tolkien even wrote (and re-wrote) a poem about Brendan, so it is safe to conclude that the "Voyage" contributed something to "The Silmarillion," if not "Lord of the Rings."

(Two versions can be found in the "History of Middle-earth" Volume IX, "Sauron Defeated" as "The Death of St. Brendan" and "Imram" -- not included in the paperback, "The End of the Third Age" -- with a correction on page x of Volume X, "Morgoth's Ring." Thanks to Tolkien scholar David Bratman for pointing out that it had indeed been reprinted, and was no longer virtually unobtainable in a 1955 issue of a British magazine.)

In 1983, "Lives of the Saints" was incorporated in the "The Age of Bede," edited, with revisions and new translations, by D.H. Farmer. The new title fairly accurately reflected the time and locale of the texts, and ran to 256 pages, including maps and an index. "Brendan" was shifted to the end of the volume, and, following, the "Life of Wilfrid," Bede's *Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow* was inserted. This last is based on the records and traditions of the dual monastic foundation of which Bede was a member. This expanded form of the collection displayed Bede as a more sober institutional historian, recording the accomplishments, piety, and good works of the leaders of his own community. "Lives" lacks the accumulation of miracles which had already become connected with Cuthbert. "The Voyage of Brendan" seems increasingly atypical in the expanded collection, and I suspect some readers never found their way to it, which would be a pity. This edition was somewhat revised in 1988.

The current version appeared in 1998, and featured the insertion of the *Anonymous History of Abbot Ceolfrith* between ""Lives of the Abbots" and "The Voyage of St. Brendan." Ceolfrith was Bede's own abbot, and this biography illustrates the difference between Bede's spare and sober account and what could happen when pious memory and oral tradition took over. This brought the length to 278 pages.

I have acquired over the years copies of all three main versions (the 1975, 1983, and 1998 printings). Obviously, the latest has the widest range of material, and is the most up-to-date. The original "Lives of the Saints" is fine reading, but probably not a good bargain, but unless you feel need for the "Life of Ceolfrith" (or need the volume for a class), the earlier versions (1983, 1988) of "The Age of Bede" may be quite acceptable. If I was starting fresh, however, I'd probably go straight for the current edition, with its revised introduction, updated bibliography ("For Further Reading"), and, of course, an additional text, not readily available in translation elsewhere.

This edition is comprised of the venerable Bede's "Life of Cuthbert" and the "Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow; the priest Eddius Stephanus' "Life of Wilfrid;" and also included is the "Voyage of St Brendan" and the "History of Abbot Ceolfrith." These works brim with saintly tails of healings and exorcisms, and of prophecies and portents. These books contain some interesting historical information as well: such as the spread of Christianity on the British Isles during the sixth and seventh centuries. The introduction provides both a comprehensive look at the individuals who wrote these books and a general picture of they age they lived in. These books will no doubt be a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of Christianity in Britain, or just in good simple hagiography.

St. Bede is mostly known for his history of the Church in England, but his Life of Cuthbert is a wonderful read. The language is simple and eloquent, and the translation is excellent. Medieval logic can seem overly simplistic to the modern mind, but Bede is straightforward and concise. In contrast, Eddius' Life of Wilfred seems downright wily. Perhaps this makes it all the more enjoyable, as we discern the writer's own agenda. Trying to find the personalities behind the facts and misrepresentations makes for one of the most enjoyable medieval texts I've read in a while.

In his Life of Cuthbert, Bede fills every page with a miracle due to the hands of the saint, whose powers of healing and prophecy are quite marvelous.

Somewhat more credible is Eddius' Life of Wilfrid, also fraught with miracles, but more educational in the secular lives of the saint, his ministries, the relationships between church and state, plus descriptions of three pilgrimmages to Rome, so that Wilfrid might appeal to the Pontiff to restore his monasteries, usurped by the crown.

An interesting look at the dealings at court in medieval England, the superstitions of the age, and a few hints at the powers of the Pope when England was monastic.