Bede Opera Historica: Books 4 and 5 (Loeb Classical Library, 248)

Rating:
Summary: Continuation of Vol.1
Review: Volume 2 is a continuation of the same work. Below is my review for volume 1.

This is an edited/updated translation by the great Thomas Stapleton, a Catholic theologian who presented this translation to Queen Elizabeth, hoping to win her sympathies amidst the reformation movement that had driven many Catholics into exile. His goal, he writes, was to show her highness "how many pretended reformers of the Church have departed from the sound and Catholic faith ... described truly and sincerely by Venerable Bede." Of course, he failed to persuade Elizabeth, but we nonetheless have this wonderful translation in consequence. King has updated some archaic words and added valuable historical footnotes in this edition.