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Bede's World and St Paul's Church

Reconstructed farm at Bede's World. This image is copyright free

Northumberland was once the centre of a northern civilisation, sitting on a crucial point of communication between Saxon Europe in the east, and Ireland in the west. An influential tradition of learning grew up in the monasteries of the region. The best known of the monk scholars of that time is Bede, who lived from around 672AD until 735AD. He was the author of Historia Ecclesiastica Anglorum or The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. This is perhaps the first systematic attempt to describe the history of England since the Roman period. Bede wrote from his Christian perspective, using this as a theme to link his history together.

At this point I was going to suggest that a country needs historians to give it an identity; and from this point of view Bede is an important figure in the formation of what would later become England. But historians can equally show the messy truth that lies beneath the unifying illusions that hold countries together. In the nineteenth century Charles Darwin pulled apart the notion of separate species, and replaced it with "a sense of actual passage" between species. Darwin renewed a sense of the oneness of life. In undermining easy, unthinking national myths and identities, historians also give a sense of "actual passage" between seemingly disparate people. For someone like Bede it was a religion that brought people together rather than a national identity. The Pope was the ultimate boss, not a local king.

Bede lived and worked at the monastery of St Peter at Wearmouth, and at the monastery of St Paul's in what is now Jarrow. There is now a museum dedicated to Bede, with displays centred around excavations from the site of the St Paul's monastery. There is also a recreation of an Anglo Saxon farm.

 

Opening Times: Bede's World is open every day , from April to October 10am-5:30pm Monday to Saturday and 12 midday to 5:30pm Sunday. From November to March it is open 10am to 4:30pm Monday to Saturday and 12 midday to 4:30pm on Sunday. Last admission is one hour before closing. Bede's World is closed from 21st - 27th December and from 30th December to 1st January. Closed also on Good Friday.

Directions: Bede's World is near the south end of the Tyne Tunnel off the A185. Click here for an interactive map centred on Bede's World.

Access: Wheelchair users can reach every part of the site, except for one of the farm buildings. An electric wheelchair is available to hire. There are adapted toilet facilities. Touch tours are available. Contact Bede's World to discuss your needs.

Contact:

phone: 0191 489 2106

web site: www.bedesworld.co.uk