BEDA, or BEDE, usually called the Venerable Bede, was born at Weremouth, in Northumberland, in the year 672; and, at the age of seven years, was sent to the monastery of St Peter, whose abbot and founder, Benedict -Biscop, was one of the most learn ed men and greatest travellers of that age. Here he enjoyed the use of an excellent library, and the assist ance of the ablest instructors. Abbot Benedict him self, Ceolfrid his successor, and St John of Beverley, were all his preceptors ; by the last of whom he was ordained deacon, at 19 years of age, and priest at 30. 'He seems, however, to have removed to another mo nastery, founded also by Benedict, at Tarrow, near the mouth of the river Tyne, where he spent the re mainder of his life in devout exercises and literary pursuits. By his astonishing application and com prehensive talents, he made himself master of every branch of literature, which it was possible, to acquire in the period in which he lived, and in the circum stances in which he was placed. He was held in high estimation by the most eminent prelates of that age, and particularly by Egbert, bishop of York, a man of the most extensive learning. His fame was so great, that it rapidly spread through every coun. try in Europe ; and lie was even invited by Pope Sergius to Rome, that he might be consulted by that pontiff upon many subjects of importance. Bede, however, still continued his monastic course of life, diligently employing himself in the acquisition and .communication of useful knowledge. He composed an astonishing number of treatises, many of which have never been published ; and wrote upon so great a variety of subjects, that his works, it has been af' firmed, contain all the knowledge which was then to be found in the world, and every point of antiquity, at least, which is now worthy to -be read. The. greatest of his writings, was the ecclesiastical history of England, which he completed in the 59th year of his age, and which is still a performance of the high est authority. His writings were so much esteemed, that even during •his own life, a council held in Eng land, and afterwards approved by the catholic church, appointed his homilies to be publicly read in the churches. He was the first who translated some parts of the Bible, especially the gospel of John, into the language of this country, which was then Saxon; and it was the anxious occupation of his last moments to finish that portion of the sacred book. All his
other works were composed in the Latin language, in a style remarkable for its perspicuity and ease, but frequently deficient in purity and elegance. He could not be exempt from the influence of that cre dulity, which was the character of the age in which he lived ; but if allowances be made for the peculia rities of his times, and the disadvantages with which he had to struggle, he must be acknowledged to have been the most laborious and ingenious person that this country ever produced. He is justly cele brated for his exemplary piety, astonishing learning, incredible application, and extreme humility. He is called by Camden, " the singular light of our island, whom we may more easily admire than suffi ciently- praise." He was named by his contempo raries the (Vise Saxon ; and has been entitled by pos terity, the Venerable Bede: and indeed, " as long," says an eminent historian, " as great modesty, piety, and learning, united in one character, are the objects of veneration, the memory of Bede must be revered." He laboured, during the concluding period of his life, tinder a very infirm state of health, which had been induced by his unremitting application, and which he bore with devout resignation. Having ex haigted his last remains of strength in dictating a translation from sacred scripture, he breathed a pious exclamation, and expired in his cell at Tarrow, in the year 735. His body was interred in his own monas tery, where he died, but was afterwards removed to Durham, and placed in the same coffin with that of St Cuthbert. The first edition of his works was published at Paris, in 1544., in three volumes folio ; and the latest at Cambridge in 1722, with notes and dissertations by Dr Smith, prebendary of Durham. An account of his printed pieces may be found is the notes to his life, in the Biographia Britanni ca, or in the Appenu.x to the 4th volume of Dr Henry's History of Britain ; but a complete list of all his writings, drawn up by his own hand, is inserted in Muratori Aatiq. Italic. illerlii ./Evi, torn. in. p. 825. See Biog. Britan. General Biog. Did. Henry's Hi,st. of Britain, vol. iv. Cave's Hist. Liter. vol. i. Warton's Hist. of Poetry, vol. i. p. 104. ; and Mo sheim's Church Ilist. vol. ii. p. 21.7, 251. (q)