What is the theme in The Age of Bede by Bede?

The Navitgatio is the document in The Age of Bede that was written the latest but whose subject matter is the earliest. It represents Irish monasticism which had a character distinct from the Eastern Benedictine monasticism of its day. After the death of St. Patrick in 461, monasteries started to become the most important element of social life in Ireland. Ireland had no civil government to speak of and had never been part of the Roman Empire. As a result, life was still tribal and monasteries were built up out of extended family units.