Bellini, Vincenzo. 1801-35. Italian Romantic opera composer. Norma 1831.

Belloc, Hilaire. 1870-1953. French/English writer: Bad Child’s Book of Beasts 1896. Cautionary Tales 1907.

Bellona. Roman goddess of war. Mars’ sister.

Bellow, Saul. 1915-2005. Canadian/US psychological novelist: Herzog 1964. Humboldt’s Gift 1975.

Belsen. 1933-45. Nazi concentration camp. Commandant Kramer executed.

Ben Bella, Ahmed. 1918-. Algerian Socialist revolutionary. President 1962-5. House arrest 1965-79.

Ben Gurion, David. 1886-1973. Polish/Israeli Labour pol. First Prime Minister of Israel, 1948~63. “Architect of Israel”.

Benavente y Martinez, Jacinto. 1866-1954. Spanish dramatist: Bonds of Interest 1907.

Benchley, Robert. 1889-1945. US humorist. Benchley Beside Himself 1943.

Benedict of Nursia, St. 480-547. Italian monastic. Benedictine Rule 535.

Benedict XIII. c1328-1423. Antipope 1394-1417. Great Schism.

Benedict XIV. 1675-1758. Pope 1740-. Promoted arts, learning during Enlightenment.

Benedictines. 529-. RC monastic order. Spread Christianity. Preserved Latin culture.

Benefit of Clergy. 1170-1827. Literates and clergy exempt from trial by English civil court. 1489- Once only, branding. Jonson.

Benelux. 1948-93. Economic union of Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. EU.

Beneš, Eduard. 1884-1948. Czech Nationalist, President, 1935-8,46-. Little Entente.

Benét, Stephen. 1898-1943. US poet, writer. Devil and Daniel Webster 1937. John Brown’s Body 1928.

Benét, William. 1886-1950. US poet. The Dust Which is God 1941.

Benevolences. 1473-1689. Forced ’loans’ to English monarchs.

Bengal. 8C Pala emp. 11C Hindu. 13C Turk. 1576 Mogul. 1757 Britain. 1947 India(W)/Pakistan(E). 1971 E =Bangladesh.

Bengal Famine. 1770. 1/3 of population died. No British aid.

Bengal Partition. 1905-11. Split for administrative ease. Creates nationalistic opposition.

Benin.1625 Abomey kingdom = Dahomey. 1892 France. 1895 French West Africa. 1959 Autonomous. 1960 Independent =Dahomey. 1975 =People’s Republic of Benin.

Benjamin. Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. Led 1 of 10 Lost Tribes.

Bennett, Arnold. 1867-1931. English Staffordshire novelist. Meticulously detailed Naturalist. Clayhanger Series 1910.

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