BENEDICT, abbot of Peterborough, an ancient English historian. He was educated at Oxford, became a monk in the monastery of Christ Church in Canterbury, and was some time afterwards chosen prior by the members of that society. Although a great admirer and the biographer of Thomas à Becket, he was so much esteemed by Henry II. that, by the influence of that prince, he was elected abbot of Peterborough A.D. 1177. He assisted at the coronation of Richard I. in 1189, and was appointed keeper of the great seal in 1191. He died on Michaelmas day 1193. He wrote, besides his life of à Becket, a history of Henry II. and Richard I., from 1170 to 1192, which was published at Oxford by Hearne in 1735, 2 vols. 8vo.