Britain, backed by common language and led by the pious acts of great kings. 94 The
language that Bede uses artfully balances his understanding of the political
separation of the peoples of England, yet constantly highlights the underlying unities
of place, language, history, and faith as people of the land of England. The Historia
Ecclesiastica is concerned with the emerging gens Anglorum , through an
ecclesiastical lens, telling the story of the achievements of the ‘English’ under the power of God, thereby creating ‘English’ history. 95 The work became crucial to the
creation of the political entity of England. Again, the very last line of the text says it
all - “Here, with God’s help, ends the fifth book of the History of the English Church.” 96 Bede wrote a common history of a people, unified by the Church, all due,
for both the Historia and its narrative, to the favour and will of God.
94 Speed, 154 95 Stephens, 12, 14 96 Bede, p. 295
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