ONE of the oldest surviving works by the Venerable Bede, the great scholar and historian, has been brought to his native North-East, having been bought by Durham Cathedral.

The cathedral has bought a pristine copy of Summa de Casibus Conscientiae (Cases of Conscience) which was printed in Strasbourg in 1474, one of the earliest printed books in Europe.

The confessional work by the revered Franciscan canon lawyer and theologian Astesanus of Asti remains in its 15th century binding, making it highly valuable.

But even more significant is the binding of the huge book, which stretches to 40cm long, as it contains two 9th century manuscript fragments taken from a German copy of the Venerable Bede’s rare work In librum Genesim, his commentary on Genesis – the first book of the Bible.

The cathedral bought the treasure for £35,000 at auction at Sotheby’s in London on Tuesday, May 20, with support from an anonymous donor and £10,000 from the Friends of National Libraries, and it has now been delivered to the cathedral library.

The tome, known as Summa Astesana, will be among the many treasures which will be displayed in new world-class exhibition facilities to be created as part of Durham Cathedral’s £10m Open Treasure project, due to be completed next year.

Gabriel Sewell, head of collections at the cathedral, said: “The book represents a very important addition to Durham Cathedral Library.

“The 9th century fragments in In Genesim are in terrific condition and illustrate Bede’s early international reputation and his circulation on the continent.

“We look forward to making the book available to researchers and visitors in the future.”

Bede was an 8th century monk based at the twin monasteries of St Peter in Monkwearmouth and St Paul’s in Jarrow, is widely regarded as the father of English history – his Ecclesiastical History of the English People having played a key role in forming the English national identity, and a shrine to Bede can be found in Durham Cathedral’s Galilee Chapel.

However, due to Viking destruction of the Northumbrian libraries, the oldest copies of his work date from the 9th century and are usually of German origin.