Christian Historiography Medieval Approaches to History

Christian Historiography Last Roman Emperor was dethroned by AD476 – the end of the Western Roman Empire, but eastern empire based on Byzantium by emperor Constantine in AD325 survived for another thousand years. Last Roman Emperor was dethroned by AD476 – the end of the Western Roman Empire, but eastern empire based on Byzantium by emperor Constantine in AD325 survived for another thousand years. Britain a far-flung outpost of the Roman Empire was under threat – after the collapse of the Roman Empire there was obviously uncertainty about what/who would fill the power vacuum left by the Roman Empire. Britain a far-flung outpost of the Roman Empire was under threat – after the collapse of the Roman Empire there was obviously uncertainty about what/who would fill the power vacuum left by the Roman Empire.

Christian Historiography It was ultimately the Saxons that sought to establish their supremacy over Britain. By 500 Saxons were in control of the eastern and south eastern coasts. By the middle of the seventh century great Anglo- Saxon kingdoms had been established over much of England. It was ultimately the Saxons that sought to establish their supremacy over Britain. By 500 Saxons were in control of the eastern and south eastern coasts. By the middle of the seventh century great Anglo- Saxon kingdoms had been established over much of England.

Christian Historiography Two main historical issues emerge at this time. Two main historical issues emerge at this time. –The collapse of the Roman Empire –Development of Christianity

Christian Historiography Christian Historiography did not accept Classical Historiography Christian Historiography did not accept Classical Historiography God had a design for the world expressed through linear time – a sense of development and progression was a part of this approach – not a cyclical idea. God had a design for the world expressed through linear time – a sense of development and progression was a part of this approach – not a cyclical idea. History began with Adam and would end with the Second Coming. History began with Adam and would end with the Second Coming.

Christian Historiography Medieval writers and chroniclers felt a need to list events – starting their works with summaries of the main events – using the pattern of six ages established by St Augustine in the early 5th century. Medieval writers and chroniclers felt a need to list events – starting their works with summaries of the main events – using the pattern of six ages established by St Augustine in the early 5th century. Six ages corresponded with the account in the first chapters of Genesis – God’s creation of the world in six days. Six ages corresponded with the account in the first chapters of Genesis – God’s creation of the world in six days. Christian attitude to the Roman Empire was problematic – Nero and Diocletian had persecuted Christians – but Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. Christian attitude to the Roman Empire was problematic – Nero and Diocletian had persecuted Christians – but Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Empire.

Christian Historiography This unity between the Roman Empire and Christianity was the foundation of Eusebius’- Ecclesiastical History- difficult to sustain when the empire collapsed. This unity between the Roman Empire and Christianity was the foundation of Eusebius’- Ecclesiastical History- difficult to sustain when the empire collapsed. Christian History was according to Warren ‘inevitably propagandist’. History was an important weapon in fighting paganism- could be used to demonstrate the emergence of Christian truth. Christian History was according to Warren ‘inevitably propagandist’. History was an important weapon in fighting paganism- could be used to demonstrate the emergence of Christian truth.

Christian Historiography Events themselves had a Christian meaning – rather than fortune, luck and coincidence – the divine plan was the foundation of all Historical thinking. Events themselves had a Christian meaning – rather than fortune, luck and coincidence – the divine plan was the foundation of all Historical thinking. Classical Historians preferred tradition or eye witness accounts to the written source – uncomfortable concept to the Christian historian committed as he was to the written word- the Old and New Testament Classical Historians preferred tradition or eye witness accounts to the written source – uncomfortable concept to the Christian historian committed as he was to the written word- the Old and New Testament

Christian Historiography Medieval Historiography Medieval Historiography Two main features of Medieval Historiography Two main features of Medieval Historiography Annal Annal Medieval historians identified very little difference between past and present. Medieval historians identified very little difference between past and present.

Christian Historiography Annal Annal The format precluded effective analysis of causes The format precluded effective analysis of causes Historians throughout Christian Europe had a tendency to ascribe causes either to God’s will or to a rather superficial account to personal motives Historians throughout Christian Europe had a tendency to ascribe causes either to God’s will or to a rather superficial account to personal motives Medieval historians Medieval historians Could see very few differences between the present and the past and so therefore imposed their own attitudes and experiences upon the past. Could see very few differences between the present and the past and so therefore imposed their own attitudes and experiences upon the past.

The Venerable Bede Bede a monk of the twin Northumbrian Abbeys of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow Bede a monk of the twin Northumbrian Abbeys of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow

The Venerable Bede Seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England had close contacts with the Continent and it was the Anglo-Saxon church that sent missionaries to the continent to convert the pagans. Seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England had close contacts with the Continent and it was the Anglo-Saxon church that sent missionaries to the continent to convert the pagans. Bede was primarily perceived as a biblical scholar rather than a historian Bede was primarily perceived as a biblical scholar rather than a historian

The Venerable Bede Bede was primarily perceived as a biblical scholar rather than a historian Bede was primarily perceived as a biblical scholar rather than a historian

The Venerable Bede Bede spread the AD/BC system throughout Europe. Bede spread the AD/BC system throughout Europe. Wrote on the geography of the Holy land and saints lives – Hagiography. Wrote on the geography of the Holy land and saints lives – Hagiography.

The Venerable Bede Bede as a propagandist for his version of Orthodox Christianity in a society that was by no means fully converted. Bede as a propagandist for his version of Orthodox Christianity in a society that was by no means fully converted.

Bede and his use of Sources Bede’s use of sources – he actually cites his sources – see question sheet Bede’s use of sources – he actually cites his sources – see question sheet Bede also comments upon the relationship between the informant and the person who was the subject of his information. Bede also comments upon the relationship between the informant and the person who was the subject of his information. Bede gives the informants whereabouts – he provides too much information to be fictitious. Bede gives the informants whereabouts – he provides too much information to be fictitious.

Bede and his use of Sources Bede admits there may be inaccuracies in his reporting, ’I have laboured honestly to transmit whatever I could ascertain from common report for the instruction of posterity’ Bede admits there may be inaccuracies in his reporting, ’I have laboured honestly to transmit whatever I could ascertain from common report for the instruction of posterity’ Bede according to Warren is not a ‘detached scholar’ Bede according to Warren is not a ‘detached scholar’

Bede and his use of Sources Bede’s humility is very much a literary device his work had an evangelical purpose – including the contemporary needs of his own Northumbrian Church. Bede believed that God’s providence was working through History. Bede’s humility is very much a literary device his work had an evangelical purpose – including the contemporary needs of his own Northumbrian Church. Bede believed that God’s providence was working through History.

Bede and his use of Sources Bede includes many miracles- Bede making the point that God intervened directly in the world to reward virtue and punish sin. Bede includes many miracles- Bede making the point that God intervened directly in the world to reward virtue and punish sin. Bede stressed the workings of the hard of God in the affairs of Kings – whose role was to serve and protect the Church. Bede stressed the workings of the hard of God in the affairs of Kings – whose role was to serve and protect the Church. ‘God rewarded good kings with victory and prosperity and punished bad ones with earthy calamities’ ‘God rewarded good kings with victory and prosperity and punished bad ones with earthy calamities’

Bede and his use of Sources ‘God rewarded good kings with victory and prosperity and punished bad ones with earthy calamities’ ‘God rewarded good kings with victory and prosperity and punished bad ones with earthy calamities’

Bede and his use of Sources Bede says kings would be rewarded on earth for their Faith. Bede says kings would be rewarded on earth for their Faith. Bede does not mention the successes of pagan kings – does this selectiveness make him less of an historian? Bede does not mention the successes of pagan kings – does this selectiveness make him less of an historian?

Bede’s own context/environment Attitude to the Britons is harsh for religious reasons Attitude to the Britons is harsh for religious reasons Bede was loyal to the Pope Bede was loyal to the Pope Arguably Mercia was the dominant kingdom in 7th-8th century Britain but Bede places Bernicia centre stage and portrays it as the dominant power – as he writes from a Bernician perspective. He perceives that the rightful claim to imperium - the inheritance of the Roman Empire is seen by Bede as Bernician. Arguably Mercia was the dominant kingdom in 7th-8th century Britain but Bede places Bernicia centre stage and portrays it as the dominant power – as he writes from a Bernician perspective. He perceives that the rightful claim to imperium - the inheritance of the Roman Empire is seen by Bede as Bernician.

Bede’s own context/environment Bede not only has religious imperatives but also secular priorities- reflecting the medieval relationship of the church and state. Bede not only has religious imperatives but also secular priorities- reflecting the medieval relationship of the church and state. Bede praises Northumbrian missionaries to Germany but makes no mention of Boniface Bede praises Northumbrian missionaries to Germany but makes no mention of Boniface

Bede’s own context/environment Warren argues that Bede was not an ‘unworldly scholar, unaffected and uninterested by the secular world lapping at the doors of his haven. Instead we have realistic picture of a man of his time’ Warren argues that Bede was not an ‘unworldly scholar, unaffected and uninterested by the secular world lapping at the doors of his haven. Instead we have realistic picture of a man of his time’

Bede’s Style and Rhetoric Did Bede use tools of classical rhetoric that are designed to persuade? Bede made use of Eusebius and Orosius- Bede believes that Bede knew some of Cicero’s work. Did Bede use tools of classical rhetoric that are designed to persuade? Bede made use of Eusebius and Orosius- Bede believes that Bede knew some of Cicero’s work. When describing the Synod of Whitby – he uses a pattern of paired speeches. When describing the Synod of Whitby – he uses a pattern of paired speeches. Warren writes, ’Bede’s work betokens his desire to persuade more than it betokens his concern for strict accuracy.’ Warren writes, ’Bede’s work betokens his desire to persuade more than it betokens his concern for strict accuracy.’

Bede’s Style and Rhetoric Warren and Gramsden see that Bede’s brief was propagandist and that this effort to persuade was the motivating force behind his citing of sources – to strengthen his arguments. Warren and Gramsden see that Bede’s brief was propagandist and that this effort to persuade was the motivating force behind his citing of sources – to strengthen his arguments. Bede’s concept of truth was not an objective concept of truth but rather a Christian truth, ‘the truth of History was God’s plan revealed’ – Warren Bede’s concept of truth was not an objective concept of truth but rather a Christian truth, ‘the truth of History was God’s plan revealed’ – Warren

Bede’s Style and Rhetoric Bede does cite his sources thoroughly and is more rigorous in his methodology but that does not separate him from his medieval context. Bede does cite his sources thoroughly and is more rigorous in his methodology but that does not separate him from his medieval context. He did however move beyond the annalists – ‘storms and sheep’ He did however move beyond the annalists – ‘storms and sheep’