Anglo-Saxon theologian, historian, and chronologist who is known for his prolific writings, including Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (Ecclesiastical History of the English People) an important source for the history of the conversion to Christianity of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. Divided into five books it recorded (in Latin) events in Britain from the raids by Julius Caesar (55-54 BC) to the arrival in Kent (AD 597) of St. Augustine. For his sources Bede claimed the authority of ancient letters the traditions of our forefathers and his own knowledge of contemporary events.