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The Canterbury Tales Part 2 The Power of Faith Lydgate and the Canterbury Pilgrims Leaving Canterbury (detail), from the Troy Book and the Siege of Thebes, c. 1412–1422. Vellum. British Library, London. “And specially, from every shire’s end Of England, down to Canterbury they wend To seek the holy blissful martyr, quick To give his help to them when they were sick.” —Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales 81 British Library, London, UK/Bridgeman Art Library 00081081 U1P2-845482.inddU1P2-845482.indd 8181 66/21/06/21/06 9:16:209:16:20 AMAM BEFORE YOU READ from The Ecclesiastical History of the English People MEET THE VENERABLE BEDE bout the same time that a scop may have been singing in a hushed mead-hall about Athe heroic deeds of Beowulf, a monk named Bede was studying and writing in the equally quiet library of a monastery. Whereas the gifted scop remained forever nameless, this monk’s name became known throughout the world. A Life of Religious Study When Bede was a boy of seven, he went to study and live in a mon- astery at Wearmouth, England. About two years Writing History Fortunately for us, Bede was a later, Bede moved to a monastery in Jarrow, just a talented storyteller. His histories are far more short distance away. There he remained for the than mere chronicles of events; they present rest of his life, devoting himself to religion and meticulously researched stories of conquests, scholarly pursuits. saints, missionaries, and monasteries. To write his great works, Bede did research in the library of the monastery, sent letters all over the world, and spoke with artists and scholars from afar “It has ever been my delight to learn or who visited the monastery. Bede reveals in his teach or write.” histories how people actually lived, providing —Bede most of what we know about life in Britain between the years 46 and 731. Except for visits to York and Lindisfarne, Bede A man of great learning, Bede had far-ranging never left Jarrow. Nevertheless, his reputation interests that included religion, poetry, grammar, spread widely. About a century after his death, he music, art, mathematics, and science. His passion was given the title “Venerable” to honor his wis- for calculating time and dates led him to use a dom and piety. In 1899 he was declared a saint of method of dating still in use today. This method the Catholic Church. Historian Kemp Malone starts from the birth of Jesus in the year A.D. 1 writes of Bede’s legacy, “Bede makes every effort to (A.D. stands for the Latin Anno Domini, “the year be accurate. He admits wonders only after he has of our Lord”). Bede’s use of this form of dating in investigated them and found them well authenti- his histories helped to popularize it. cated. His standards of verification are not ours, of Bede wrote in Latin, the language of religion course. If today a victim of snakebite were to drink and learning, rather than in Old English, the down some scrapings of Irish books and get well, language of the people. With almost forty vol- we should not conclude that the scrapings had umes bearing his name, Bede is the first impor- worked the cure.” tant writer of prose in England and is considered Bede was born in 672 or 673 and died in 735. the father of English history. Bede’s masterpiece, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, documents the influence of the church on the development of English civilization. Author Search For more about the Venerable Bede, go to www.glencoe.com. 82 UNIT 1 THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD AND THE MIDDLE AGES The Art Archive / British Library 00082-0089082-0089 U1P2APP-845482.inddU1P2APP-845482.indd 8282 66/21/06/21/06 8:09:358:09:35 AMAM LITERATURE PREVIEW READING PREVIEW Connecting to the Chronicle Reading Strategy Summarizing Have you ever had to face a major change in your life? A summary is a brief restatement, in one’s own words, In The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, two of the main ideas and events in a literary work. men face miraculous changes. As you read the Summarizing what you have read is an excellent tool excerpts, consider what can cause people to make for understanding and remembering a passage. major life changes. Reading Tip: Taking Notes When you read, stop Building Background periodically to summarize and record important ideas The Anglo-Saxon invasions of the mid-fifth century and events. Create a chart to organize your notes. overthrew the Christian society of Celtic Britain. Nearly 150 years later in 596, Pope Gregory I sent missionar- Main Event or Idea Summary ies to convert the Anglo-Saxons. By about 650, Anglo- Paulinus visits the Saxon England was largely Christianized. king. The first selection from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History takes place during the early 600s. In it, Edwin, who has recently conquered his enemies to become king of Northumbria in northern England, is discussing Christianity with Paulinus, his wife’s religious counselor. The second selection takes place in the late 600s in Vocabulary Whitby, England. It tells of the miraculous talent of Caedmon, the first poet to use Old English verse forms expound (iks pound) v. to set forth in detail, to recite religious poetry. explain; p. 86 I didn’t understand the theory, so I asked the teacher to expound its meaning. Setting Purposes for Reading diligently (dilə jənt le¯) adv. persistently; p. 86 Big Idea The Power of Faith After diligently submitting many applications, I As you read the excerpts, note how the power of faith finally found a job. played a role in the lives of people living in Anglo- aspire (əs p¯r) v. to strive for; p. 87 I practice Saxon England. the guitar often because I aspire to become a famous musician. Literary Element Historical Narrative frivolous (friv ə ləs) adj. not serious, silly; p. 87 A historical narrative is a factual account of events that His frivolous manner made him seem incapable of occurred in the past. It is usually presented chronologi- taking on anything responsibly. cally and seeks to provide a detailed, accurate descrip- tion of life in a particular time period. As you read the Vocabulary Tip: Word Origins Word origins, or two excerpts from The Ecclesiastical History of the etymologies, refer to the history and development English People, identify the features that make it a his- of words. Word origins are included in dictionary torical narrative. entries. • See Literary Terms Handbook, p. R8. Interactive Literary Elements Handbook To review or learn more about the literary elements, go to www.glencoe.com. OBJECTIVES In studying this selection, you will focus on the following: • evaluating historical narrative • exploring the history of English literature • summarizing text BEDE 83 00082-0089082-0089 U1P2APP-845482.inddU1P2APP-845482.indd 8383 11/8/07/8/07 9:28:059:28:05 AMAM A Scribe Writing, 12th century. Latin (Durham). Illumination from Bede’s Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert. British Library, London 84 UNIT 1 THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD AND THE MIDDLE AGES British Library, London/Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York 0084-0088 U1P2SEL-845482.indd 84 1/29/07 8:58:47 AM The Venerable Bede Translated by Bertram Colgrave commandments of Him who rescued you from your earthly foes and raised you to the honor of an earthly kingdom. If from henceforth you are willing to follow His will which is made known to you through me, He will also rescue you from the everlasting torments of the wicked and make you a partaker with Him of His eternal kingdom King Edwin hesitated to accept the word of in heaven.” God which Paulinus preached but, as we have When the king had heard his words, he said, used to sit alone for hours at a time, ear- answered that he was both willing and bound to nestly debating within himself what he ought accept the faith which Paulinus taught. He said, to do and what religion he should follow. One however, that he would confer about this with day Paulinus came to him and, placing his his loyal chief men and his counsellors so that, if right hand on the king’s head, asked him if he they agreed with him, they might all be conse- recognized this sign. crated together in the waters of life. Paulinus The king began to tremble and would have agreed, and the king did as he had said. A meet- thrown himself at the bishop’s feet but Paulinus ing of his council was held, and each one was raised him up and said in a voice that seemed asked in turn what he thought of this doctrine1 familiar, “First you have escaped with God’s hitherto unknown to them and this new worship help from the hands of the foes you feared; of God which was being proclaimed. secondly you have acquired by His gift the Coifi, the chief of the priests, answered at once, kingdom you desired; now, in the third place, “Notice carefully, King, this doctrine which is remember your own promise; do not delay in fulfilling it but receive the faith and keep the 1. A doctrine is a body of principles taught or advocated, as of a religion or a government. Reading Strategy Summarizing Summarize the argu- Literary Element Historical Narrative In what way is ment that Paulinus makes in the following speech. this detail characteristic of a historical narrative? BEDE 85 0084-0088 U1P2SEL-845482.indd 85 1/29/07 8:59:00 AM Another of the king’s chief men agreed with this advice and with these wise words and then added, “This is how the present life of man on earth, King, appears to me in comparison with that time which is unknown to us.
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