Ecclesiastical History 1

To the most glorious King Ceolwulf, Bede, servant of Christ and priest. The Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, which I lately published, I most gladly sent to you at your desire, O King, both before for reading and approval, and now I send it back again to be copied and more fully pondered as time allows. And the very situation of Britain, and the plan of our narrative, requires that, in describing it, the times of the Romans be first run through.

Britain, an island of the Ocean, which once bore the name Albion, is situated between the north and the west, lying over against Germany, Gaul, and Spain, the largest parts of Europe, but at a great distance. It is eight hundred miles long toward the north and two hundred miles broad, except for the more extensive stretches of various promontories, by which it comes about that its circuit makes up four thousand and eight hundred miles. On its right side, that is, the southern, it has the coast of the Gauls, from which there is no interval but the sea.

Gaius Julius Caesar was the first of the Romans to assail Britain in war, in the sixtieth year before the Lord's incarnation, which is the six hundred and ninety-third year from the founding of the Roman empire. For when he was crossing into Gaul with his army, he observed that the Gauls were receiving reinforcements from Britain. Therefore, having ferried his army across into it, he subdued the Britons—or rather attempted to subdue them. For, both defeated in battles and harassed by storms, he lost the greater part of his soldiers. Then he returned to Gaul, and sailing thence, set out for Spain.

At this time Gregory, a man renowned for his learning and his deeds, was governing the pontificate of the Roman and apostolic see. When he had seen some boys who had come from Britain, of fair skin, comely countenance, and remarkable hair, he asked, as they say, from what region or land they had been brought. It was said that they were from the island of Britain, whose inhabitants were of such an appearance. Again he asked whether those islanders were Christians, or were still entangled in pagan errors. It was said that they were pagans. But he, drawing long sighs from the bottom of his heart, said: 'Alas, the pity of it! that the author of darkness should possess men of countenances so radiant.'

Nor should that be passed over in silence which, by the tradition of our forefathers, has been handed down to us concerning the blessed Gregory—namely, for what reason he was prompted to take so diligent a care for the salvation of our nation. They say that on a certain day, when merchants newly arrived from Britain had brought many wares for sale into the marketplace, and many had thronged together to buy, and Gregory himself had come among the rest, he saw, among other things, boys put up for sale, of fair body and handsome face, and with hair too of a notable beauty. When he beheld them, he asked, as they say, from what region or land they were.

Since therefore that nation, in the hardness of its heart, as is its custom, cannot forsake its shrines, the idols in those same shrines must not be destroyed, but holy water sprinkled, altars built, and relics deposited. For if those same shrines are well built, it is necessary that they be converted from the worship of demons to the service of the true God; so that, while that same nation does not see its shrines destroyed, it may put away error from its heart, and, acknowledging and adoring the true God, may resort more familiarly to the places to which it has been accustomed.