The History of the Kings of BritainCompleted in 1136, The History of the Kings of Britain traces the story of the realm from its supposed foundation by Brutus to the coming of the Saxons some two thousand years later. Vividly portraying legendary and semi-legendary figures such as Lear, Cymbeline, Merlin the magician and the most famous of all British heroes, King Arthur, it is as much myth as it is history and its veracity was questioned by other medieval writers. But Geoffrey of Monmouth's powerful evocation of illustrious men and deeds captured the imagination of subsequent generations, and his influence can be traced through the works of Malory, Shakespeare, Dryden and Tennyson. |
Contents
The Work Itself | |
Geoffrey the Artist | |
Geoffrey of Monmouth down the Centuries | |
Editions of the Historia | |
Earlier Translations | |
This Translation | |
Acknowledgements Map of Britain | |
Dedication | |
Part | |
Part | |
Time Chart | |
Other editions - View all
The History of the Kings of Britain Geoffrey (of Monmouth, Bishop of St. Asaph) No preview available - 1966 |
Common terms and phrases
Albany Androgeus Archgallo armed Armorican army Arthur Arvirargus Asclepiodotus asked attack Aurelius Ambrosius battle Bedevere began Belinus besieged blood Boar Brennius British Britons brother Brutus Cadwallader Cadwallo Caesar called Cassivelaunus castle Claudius command Conanus Constantine Corineus courage crown daughter death Dragon Dubricius Duke of Cornwall Elidurus enemy father fight fled fleet force fought Gaul Gawain Geoffrey of Monmouth Geoffrey's giant Gildas Gorlois Gracianus Griscom hand Hengist History Hoel honour inflicted Ireland island Julius killed King’s kingdom kingdom of Britain Kings of Britain kingship land leaders Legions Leir Locrinus London Lucius marched Marganus Maximianus Merlin messengers Mordred Nennius nephew noble Once ordered Oswi Pandrasus peace Peanda Picts princes promised realm reigned River Romans Rome sailed Saxons seized sent ships side slaughter soldiers soon sword thousand told took town of Trinovantum translation Trinovantum Trojans troops Uther Utherpendragon victory Vortigern walls Welsh wounded