The recapitulation of Bede's Ecclesiastical History

Bede concluded his Historia ecclesiastica gentis anglorum with a chapter (HE V.24) that contains four elements: a chronological recapitulation of the main events of the History; a brief self-pen-portrait; his list of writings; a closing prayer.1 This essay is concerned with the recapitulation, which holds an important place in the development of annals as a form of historiographical writing. It is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, historiographical text to order a series of events – briefly explained – in sequence by AD (Anno Domini) dating. Brevity is a key element of Bede’s recapitulation. In stating that he was recapitulating in brief things that had been discussed more extensively, Bede was explicitly observing the patristic principle of recapitulatio as both a literary device and as an exegetical tool. This concept has not previously been associated with Bede’s historiography but helps illuminate both his working methods and his Christ-centred epistemology of chronology and time.