Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People was completed in 731 and still ranks among the most popular of histor, books. By the end of the eighth century copies of it were to be found in many parts of England and on the Continent, some of these being still extant. If it were not for Bede’s history we should know little about the Anglo-Saxon inva­ sion and the beginnings of Christianity in England, and such familiar names as Edwin and Oswald, Cuthbert and Chad, Hilda and Caedmon would be almost forgotten. The present edition makes use for the first time of the mid-eighth century manuscript now in Leningrad, provides a survey of the extant manuscripts, and a new translation; it also attempts to bring up to date Plummer’s invaluable edition published seventy years ago. OXFORD MEDIEVAL TEXTS General Editors V. H. GALBRAITH R.A.B. MYNORS C. N. L. BROOKE B E D E ’ S E C C L E S I A S T I C A L H I S T O R Y BEDE’S ECCLESIASTICA L HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE EDITED BY BERTRAM COLGRAVE AND R. A. B. MYNORS OXFORD AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1969 Oxford University Press, Ely House, London W. i GLASGOW NEW YORK -TORONTO MELBOURNE WELLINGTON CAPE TOWN SALISBURY IBADAN NAIROBI LUSAKA ADDIS ABABA BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS KARACHI LAHORE DACCA KUALA LUMPUR SINGAPORE HONG KONG TOKYO © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1969 PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN SMITH (1659-1715) CHARLES PLUMMER (1851-1927) WILHELM LEVISON (1876-1947)