Bede finishes his history of the English churches
About this date: The work ends with the state of Britain in 731; this dates the completed narrative, not every source it preserves.
Bede brings his Ecclesiastical History to his own day and lists his writings. His account preserves letters, local memories, biographies, and a chronological framework for the English churches.
Historical context
Written in a Northumbrian monastery, the history connects regional churches with Rome while describing disputes about Easter and ecclesiastical practice.
Key points
- Book V closes with a survey of Britain and a summary chronology.
- Bede identifies his monastic home and scholarly work.
- His account distinguishes information received from others from events within his own lifetime.
People
- Bede
Sources and further reading
- Ecclesiastical History, concluding chapters
The conclusion anchors the work in 731 and includes Bede's account of himself.