We have seen several references to the Roman occupation of Britain and the consequences of this civilization for the later Anglo-Saxon inhabitants. Our medieval guides to the period subsequent to the Romans are mostly unreliable; Bede's references to the settlements of these tribes, for example, are not corroborated by archaeological evidence. But Bede gives us an excellent view of English "national" culture: the Ecclesiastical History reports the processes by which small kingdoms were united and by which the major political divisions of nations of his time were brought together under the banner of "English."
We have discussed Bede's paradigm for conversion (temples into churches), his concern with the disorganization and decentralization of the Irish Church, and his concern with bringing the English Church under Rome's banner.
Use this opportunity to rethink some additional paradigms in Bede's work--in particular the match between five languages and five nations. Reread Book 1, chapter one, of his History, and take in the Preface as you do so. Does Bede seem aware that there are differences between ecclesiastical and political structures, or does he seem to see church and state as one?
You can make some notes to yourself in the space below; print them to save--otherwise they'll disappear. (When you print, it's a good idea to "sign" and date the material, too.)
The standard reference work on this subject is R. G. Collingwood and J. N. L. Myres, Roman Britain and the English Settlements (2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon, 1937, repr. 1963). Myers' contribution to this work is the discussion of "the English Settlements," which refers to the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes from the Continent.
1/98