Bede: The Reckoning of Time

The Reckoning of Time is Bede's comprehensive account of computus – the body of information, technique and precept that governed how the medieval Christian calendar was managed. Bede sought not only to resolve debates about determining the date of Easter once and for all, but aimed to make computus teachable to monks and clerics. He also situated computus within an encyclopedic framework of classical astronomical and cosmographic knowledge that served as the basis of 'science literacy' for generations. Finally, Bede extended the reach of computus to embrace history, and even the end of time. Woven into this synthesis is a theological vision of God as creator of the cosmos whose motions define time, and as governor and goal of redemptive history.

Faith Wallis' translation of Bede: the Reckoning of Time first appeared in 1999. This new edition features a fully overhauled Introduction and Commentary that incorporate the abundant research of the past quarter-century, as well as a thorough revision of the translation. It will interest students of medieval science, theology, education and culture, and serve as an accessible introduction to computus itself. Generations of medieval computists nourished their expertise on Bede's limpid prose and orderly presentation; modern scholars in quest of safe passage through this often unfamiliar terrain can hope for no better guide.