of king Edmund, five hundred and forty-two years; and to that in
which we now write, which is the fifth of his reign, five hundred and
forty-seven years.

(1) V.R. not the God of gods, the Amen, the Lord of Hosts,
but one of their idols which they worshipped.

(2) Sometimes called Ruoichin, Ruith-in, or "river island,"
separated from the rest of Kent and the mainland of Britain
by the estuary of the Wantsum, which, though now a small
brook, was formerly navigable for large vessels, and in
Bede's time was three stadia broad, and fordable only at two
places.

(3) The rest of this sentence is omitted in some of the MSS.

32. At that time St. Germanus, distinguished for his numerous virtues,
came to preach in Britain: by his ministry many were saved; but many
likewise died unconverted. Of the various miracles which God enabled
him to perform, I shall here mention only a few: I shall first advert
to that concerning an iniquitous and tyrannical king, named Benlli.* The
holy man, informed of his wicked conduct, hastened to visit him, for the
purpose of remonstrating him. When the man of God, with his attendants,
arrived at the gate of the city, they were respectfully received by the
keeper of it, who came out and saluted them. Him they commissioned to
communicate their intention to the king, who returned a harsh answer,
declaring, with an oath, that although they remained there a year, they
should not enter the city. While waiting for an answer, the evening came
on, and they knew not where to go. At length, came one of the king's
servants, who bowing himself before the man of God, announced the words