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.
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
