Anglo-Saxon literature and cultural significance

Anglo-Saxon Literature With Christian Messages

Saint Bede, also known as "Bede the Venerable," was an English historian, a Benedictine monk, and a respected scholar, who spent much of his life (he lived roughly 673-735) engaged in spiritual activities; and, according to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition (Encyclopedia.com), Saint Bede "became probably the most learned man in Western Europe in his day."

He wrote scholarly scientific, theological and historical pieces, always doing his homework thoroughly by reading all available materials and checking closely for their authenticity. His Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation "remains an indispensable primary source for English history from 597 to 731," the Encylopedia.com asserts. The reason that book is considered such a valuable resource even after all these years is that it gives "the most thorough and reliable contemporary account of the triumph of Christianity and the growth of Anglo-Saxon culture in England."

Meanwhile, Saint Bede was made a saint in 1899, and was also named "Doctor of the Church" -- the lone British resident ever to have been bestowed with that honor.

In terms of Saint Bede's contribution to Christianity through literature, the Ecclesiastical History (Book 3, Chapter 3) is not only a charming story, but, if the sources used for this paper are correct, it is a true -- and likely the only -- account of English history during the 7th Century.

The translation of the book (it was written in Latin), excerpts of which are published in an article in Christian History (Nov. 2001), tell a sophisticated and evangelistic story that is succinct, dramatic, and entertaining. The Northumbrian King Oswald was a man "loved by God," and soon after his banishment to Scotland ended, and he took the Northumbrian throne, he decided to have all his citizens embrace Christianity. And hence it gave him a "happy experience" when he wiped out the barbarians, because then he sent to Scotland a call for a bishop to be sent to England, to convert the English people to Christianity, and the Scots sent Bishop Aidan.

Several things about this story are interesting, as the tale unfolds. While banished to Scotland, Oswald had converted to Christianity; and one of the first things he did when he returns to his homeland and becomes an English ruler, is to bring a Scottish Bishop down to England to save the rest of the British souls. But Bishop Aidan, while carrying out his duty by preaching to the English, did not speak much of the English language; so the King became something of a clergyman himself by standing beside Bishop Aidan and interpreting "the word of God to his commanders and ministers" (Christian History, 2001).

Clearly, this is a strong Christian-flavored story of 7th Century England, because Saint Bede writes (in the Christian History journal) that "from that time many of the Scots came daily into Britain, and with great devotion preached the word to those provinces of the English, over which King Oswald reigned." Churches began to be built "in several places" and people "joyfully flocked together to hear the word."

Another interesting part of this is that later in history, it's well documented that the Scots will come under English rule (brutal rule, at that); and the very idea that Scottish monks came down to England in the 7th Century to preach the Christian gospel, convert the British, build churches and administer "to them the grace of baptism," is an anathema to what was to follow. But, Saint Bede is said to be accurate in his writings, so readers have little choice but to accept his material as "the gospel."

Meanwhile, the Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf is another writer from Old England who spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was writing Christian-themed poetry in the early 9th Century, according to Columbia Encyclopedia (Encyclopedia.com), and His poem, "The Anchor of Hope and The Sea of this World: Christ II" (Hill, 1994), places the story in the sea, and there are many nautical metaphors and images that clearly bring in Christian concepts. "Now it is as if we travel on ships over the cold water, across the broad sea, throughout this transitory world, on sea-horses, travel oceanships," he wrote.

"The sea is terrifying, the waves enormous," Cynewulf's poem continues, "that we play about on here -- wind driven waves over the deep passage. It was a hard way of life before we reached land -- on the back of the storm. Then help came to us so that God's spiritual son led us to safety -- to harbor."