IV., pope, (Proper Lambertini of Bologna), celebrated for his learning and moderation, which gained him the esteem of all sensible Protestants. He was the patron of learned men and celebrated artists; and an elaborate writer, on theological subjects. His works make 12 vols in folio. He died in 1758.

Benedict (St.), the founder of the order of the Benedictin monks, was born in Italy, about the year 480. He was sent to Rome when he was very young, and there received the first part of his education. At 14 years of age he was removed from thence to Sublaco, about 40 miles distant. Here he lived a most ascetic life, and shut himself up in a cavern, where nobody knew anything of him except St Romanus, who, we are told, used to defend him by a rope, and to supply him with provisions. But being afterwards discovered by the monks of a neighbouring monastery, they they chose him for their abbot. Their manners, however, not agreeing with those of Benedict, he returned to his solitude; whither many persons followed him, and put themselves under his direction, so that in a short time he built 12 monasteries. In the year 528, or the following, he retired to mount Caffino, where idolatry was still prevalent, there being a temple of Apollo erected here. He instructed the people in the adjacent country, and having converted them, he broke the image of Apollo, and built two chapels on the mountain. Here he founded also a monastery, and instituted the order of his name, which in time became so famous and extended over all Europe. It was here too that he composed his *Regula Monachorum*, which Gregory the Great speaks of as the most sensible and best written piece of that kind ever published. The time of his death is uncertain, but is placed between 540 and 550. He was looked upon as the Elioth of his times; and is reported to have wrought a great number of miracles, which are recorded in the second book of the dialogues of St Gregory the Great.

Benedict, abbot of Peterborough, was educated at Oxford, became a monk in the monastery of Christ's church in Canterbury, and some time after was chosen prior by the members of that society. Though he had been a great admirer of Archbishop Becket, and wrote a life of that prelate, 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. A.D. 1189; and was advanced to be keeper of the great seal, A.D. 1191. But he did not long enjoy this high dignity, as he died on Michaelmas day, A.D. 1193. Besides his Life of Archbishop Becket, he composed a History of Henry II. and Richard I. from A.D. 1170 to A.D. 1192; which hath been much and justly esteemed by many of our greatest antiquaries, as containing one of the best accounts of the transactions of those times. A beautiful edition of this work was published at Oxford, in two volumes, by Mr Hearne, A.D. 1735.