 The 1999 edition of the Dictionary of National Biography includes an article (by Professor Robert Bartlett) that treats St Bega as a mythical figure.A 1980 paper by John Todd offers a comprehensive review of the historical references to that date, including a discussion on her existence.He finishes with the words "We must search for the historical St Bega, not in the glorious years of the Northumbrian Kingdom, but the dark years of its fall.