The History of the Kings of Britain

by Geoffrey of Monmouth

Overview

It is an epic work spanning two thousand years, from the founding of Britain by Brutus to the coming of the Saxons. As a historian Geoffrey is sometimes less than reliable, but as the chronicler of half-legendary figures whose deeds have captured the imagination of millions, he is unrivalled: Lear, Cymbeline amd , above all, Arthur was first recorded here, and the Historia's influence inspired Malory and Tennyson, Shakespeare and Dryden.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420964257
Publisher:	Digireads.com
Publication date:	11/06/2019
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.41(d)

About the Author

Geoffrey of Monmouth was a Welsh cleric and British historiographer who lived during the twelfth century. He is best known for his chronicle The History of the Kings of Britain, which, though now considered historically unreliable, was widely popular in its day and is cited as an important work of national myth.

Lewis Thorpe was professor of French at Nottingham University from 1958 to 1977 and president of the British Branch of the International Arthurian Society. He published many books and articles on Arthur, both on the French and English traditions. He died in 1977.

Table of Contents

Translated with an Introduction by Lewis Thorpe

Introduction
1. Geoffrey's Purpose
2. Who was Geoffrey of Monmouth?
3. Geoffrey's Sources
4. The Work Itself
5. Geoffrey the Artist
6. Geoffrey of Monmouth down the Centuries
7. Editions of the Historia
8. Earlier Translations
9. This Translation
10. Acknowledgments

Notes to the Introduction
Short Bibliography of Works Used in the Introduction and in the Notes
Map of Britain
Dedication

Part One: Brutus Occupies the Island of Albion

Part Two: Before the Romans Came

Part Three: The Coming of the Romans

Part Four: The House of Constantine

Part Five: The Prophecies of Merlin

Part Six: The House of Constantine (Continued)

Part Seven: Arthur of Britain

Part Eight: The Saxon Domination

Time Chart
Index