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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Bede claim Cuthbert kept birds from eating the barley crop he grew as he lived in isolation as a monk?

2. According to Stephanus, how did the expansion of the Kingdom that Wilfrid advised expand his authority as Bishop?

3. What was the result of the prayers Cuthbert led while he and two brethren were stranded during a sea voyage without provisions?

4. Who does Stephanus claim taught Wilfrid the rules of Easter while he was in this city?

5. Which Northumbrian cleric does Farmer record as being trained in Lindisfarne?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Bede report presided over a great synod that selected Cuthbert as Bishop of Lindisfarne?

2. Why does Farmer consider Bede's "Lives of the Abbots" historically significant?

3. When and where does Farmer write the saints covered in "The Age of Bede" lived?

4. Who does Bede cite as helping him revise the text of "The Life of Cuthbert"?

5. What was the debate that Wilfred conducted with Bishop Colman, and what does Stephanus suggest it led to?

6. According to Farmer, why is Stephanus's "Life of Wilfrid" unique among all literature?

7. Who does Bede credit with healing Cuthbert from a childhood disease that made him lame?

8. What unique power does Bede claim that Cuthbert's prayers held?

9. Why does Stephanus claim that King Egfrith and his queen, Iurminburgh, conspired to remove Wilfred from his position as bishop?

10. What are the five texts that make up the "Age of Bede"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Farmer characterizes Bede's "Life of Cuthbert" as a hagiography that borrows from previously written biographies and legends of Cuthbert. Using Bede's "Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow" as a barometer for Bede's pure style for reporting historical fact, identify three examples from "The Life of Cuthbert" that can be assumed to be borrowed from previous legends and biographies and explain your choices with examples comparing "The Life of Cuthbert" with "The lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow."

Essay Topic 2

The monasteries in Wearmouth and Jarrow stand as monuments to Benedict's leadership qualities. Find three examples from Bede's "Lives of the Abbots . . ." that demonstrate Benedict's leadership qualities, his foresightedness, and his devotion to establish the Church on the British Isles on firm doctrinal ground. Explain how his management style and efforts would be effective for leaders in current times.

Essay Topic 3

Bede makes an account of miracles throughout "The Life of Cuthbert." Choose three of the miracles from Bede's record and compare them to similar miracles from the Bible. Based upon your study make an assessment of whether or not the miracles occurred as Bede reported or if Bede was creating a story to attract pagans to convert to Christianity. Use text from "The Life of Cuthbert" to support your view.

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