A talk by Colm O’Brien – 16th October 2024
It is usual when reading history we view events from our own 21st century perspective of norms and values. Colm O’Brien was successful in taking us back to Anglo-Saxon England to hear about Bede’s attitudes to Kingship described in his various writings. Readings from Bede’s work illustrated the points that Colm made in his lively presentation.
Bede the Venerable was an Anglo-Saxon monk, scholar, historian and theologian who lived from @673-735 CE. At that time there was still a Roman influence in society and the tribes of Bernicia and Deira had been ruling the areas that became Northumbria.
By giving us pen pictures of several Anglo Saxon Kings from Edwin to Oswiu we understood that Kings were initially brutal warlords. There was no succession through primogeniture. Following the death of a King, usually by war or murder, the position was open for contenders to prove their right through battle. Colm described the relevance of the graves and burial customs of the Kings. He described the archaeological remains at the sites of Yeavering and Maelmin give evidence of local Halls of Kings.
Once successful the King needed to be seen as a powerful ruler by the people. Therefore Kings were peripatetic and needed many Halls to stay where they could lay on feasts of local produce thus contributing to the local economy and be a visible presence in the community. The image of splendour and feasting Kings had a more serious socio-economic role.
The King also had a role in protecting his people from outsiders. Here Bede made reference to Saul protecting the Kingdom of Israel. Although Bede saw the King as a secular role he described both Christ and Satan as kings suggesting a morally neutral view of kingship. Later in the 7th century Oswiu had adopted a ‘soft power’ approach to kingship. Rather than being a brutal warlord he had taken the ‘soft power’ approach and used diplomacy and patronage to rule. He had accepted Christianity and he appointed churchmen as agents. Bede tells us that it was accepted that Christians could be kings but this did not detract from the basic secularity of kingship.
Little reference was made to the role of women at this time however Colm told us two examples of the influence of women on their powerful husbands. It was noted that if women did not marry there were opportunities to join one of the ‘double houses’ of a religious community.
Colm described Bede as a good story-teller and Colm also gave us a riveting story of the life and role of the Anglo Saxon Kings through Bede’s writings.
SYG 10/24