Bede,
The Book of the Holy Places — Chapter VIII: Of the Situation of Bethlehem…
“ It is situated on a narrow ridge, surrounded on every side by valleys : it is a mile long from west to east, and has a low wall built along the edge of the brow of the hill. At its eastern angle there is a sort of natural cave, the outer part of which is said to have been the place of our Lord's birth ”
