Note 48 — Chapter I · SAXON AND WELSH TRADITIONS.
Reading edition
Beda attempts to give some account of the early state of Britain previous to the arrival of Augustine; a few quotations from Solinus, Gildas, and a legendary life of St. Germanus, comprise however nearly the whole of his collections. Either he could find no more information, or he did not think it worthy of belief. He even speaks doubtfully of the tale of Hengest. Hist. Eccl. i. 15.