The History of the Kings of Britain
1136
First Published
3.71
Average Rating
296
Number of Pages
Completed 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.
Avg Rating
3.71
Number of Ratings
6,849
5 STARS
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4 STARS
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3 STARS
32%
2 STARS
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1 STARS
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Author
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Author · 6 books
Geoffrey of Monmouth (Latin: Galfridus Monemutensis, Galfridus Arturus, Welsh: Gruffudd ap Arthur, Sieffre o Fynwy) (c. 1100 – c. 1155) was a Welsh cleric and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography and the popularity of tales of King Arthur. Much of his work is considered to be pseudo-history. He is best known for his chronicle Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain); his document of quotations attributed to Merlin, Prophetiae Merlini (Prophecies of Merlin); and his poem Vita Merlini (Life of Merlin).
