1.)       How does Bede stack up as a historian? Einhard? Consider Collingwood's definition, Abelard's Sic et Non approach: apply them to Bede and Einhard. Did one or the other fall into the problems of Herodotos' (over?) flair for a good story vs the truth? Did one or both fall into the problems of Thucydides' (over?) adherence to presuppositions? Did either twist things to support some propagandistic end? Is a comparison of Bede with Einhard unfair? Explain. Please.

2.)      Consider the concept (as in Hollister, Blair et al.) of a "Northumbrian Renaissance. "  What supports this notion, in particular? Show the details. What objection(s) to this conception arise? Again, be specific. (So easy to fall into the suffocating Pit of Vagarity!) How do you stand in this debate, and why? Now add the Carolingian Renaissance into the mix with the same analysis. Final Question: of the two, which seems to you a more attractive culture? Why?

3.)  Consider the theme of 'Integration' often put forward as Bede's and Einhard's thesis. How does the idea work? For example, how did Bede present the Celtic-Roman conflict? Einhard his conflicts? Where are loyalites in this? Views concering opposed systems, whether heretical religious or treasonous political?  Does this theme of 'Integration' work to explain 'progress' in Anglo-Saxon and Carolingian history?

4.)   The Church of the 4th through 9th centuries often is twinned with advancing Culture, often joined at the hip with The State. How did Bede and Einhard see this rather 'holistic' approach to life, if so...?  In what ways did the Church actually perform the civic duties usually ascribed to the State? In what ways does this idea not work, or only work if we 'stretch' this or that? In other words, (as in the Carolingian Age) what aspects of the theme "Caesaropapism" exist in the evidence, and where does the evidence support a contrary theme?

5.) Status of Women? So important it gets its own web-page!

Final Discussion Question on Bede's Historia

Lines of Carolingian Inquiry, some related to the Bede