An admirable piece of work that will be welcomed by the many scholars who have long recognised the need for an easily accessible copy of the Historia. English Historical Review
A critical edition based on the eight known First Variant manuscripts, the prime source of Wace's Roman de Brut. Geoffrey's `history' of the British from their first colonisation of the island under Brutus to the late 7th century AD was one of the most influential works of the 12th century, and introduced to a wider audience central figures in English literature, including King Arthur and King Lear. `Wright's long introduction is a model of meticulousness and thoroughness...a fine study and edition...In a previous review I called Wright's edition of the vulgate text ``an auspicious beginning'' to a series that promised to become the standard scholarly treatment of Geoffrey's Historia...That promise is being kept.' Lister M. Matheson, SPECULUM April 1991 A critical edition based on the eight known First Variant manuscripts, the prime source of Wace's Roman de Brut. Geoffrey's `history' of theBritish from thier first colonisation of the island under Brutus to the late 7th century AD was one of the most influential works of the 12th century, and introduced to a wider audience central figures in English literature, including King Arthur and King Lear.
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
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.
The twelfth century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth was the author of one of the most famous and influential works of the Middle Ages. ‘History of the Kings of Britain’ brought the figures of Arthur and Merlin into European literature, ensuring a popularity that continues to this day. It relates the purported history of Britain, from its first settlement by Brutus of Troy to the death of Cadwaladr in the seventh century. It also covers Caesar’s invasions of Britain, Kings Leir and Cymbeline and one of the earliest developed narratives of the fabled King Arthur. Denounced from the first by sober historians, this fictional history still exerted an enormous influence on the course of English literature. Delphi’s Medieval Library provides eReaders with rare and precious works of the Middle Ages, with noted English translations and the original texts. This eBook presents Geoffrey’s complete works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Geoffrey's life and works * Features the complete extant works of Geoffrey, in both English translation and the original Latin * Aaron Thompson’s celebrated translation of ‘History of the Kings of Britain’, with J. A. Giles’ 1905 revisions and hyperlinked footnotes * Concise introductions to the works * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Includes Geoffrey’s rare work ‘The Life of Merlin’ (tr. John Jay Parry, 1925), first time in digital print * Provides a special dual English and Latin text, allowing readers to compare the sections paragraph by paragraph — ideal for students * Features a bonus biography — discover Geoffrey's medieval world CONTENTS: The Translations The History of the Kings of Britain (c. 1136) The Life of Merlin (c. 1150) The Latin Texts Contents of the Latin Texts The Dual Text Historia regum Britanniae The Biographies Geoffrey of Monmouth (1900) by Henry Richard Tedder Geoffrey of Monmouth (1902) by A. G. Little Geoffrey of Monmouth (1911) by Henry William Carless Davis Geoffrey of Monmouth (1922) by Andrew Lang
The History of the Kings of Britain is arguably the most influential text written in England in the Middle Ages. The work narrates a linear history of pre-Saxon Britain, from its founding by Trojan exiles to the loss of native British (Celtic) sovereignty in the face of Germanic invaders. Along the way, Geoffrey introduces readers to such familiar figures as King Lear, Cymbeline, Vortigern, the prophet Merlin, and a host of others. Most importantly, he provides the first birth-to-death account of the life of King Arthur. His focus on that king’s reign sparked the vogue for Arthurian romance throughout medieval Europe that has continued into the twenty-first century. This new translation is the first in over forty years and the first to be based on the Bern manuscript, now considered the authoritative Latin text. It is accompanied by an introduction that highlights the significance of Geoffrey’s work in his own day and focuses in particular on the ambiguous status of the text between history and fiction. Appendices include historical sources, early responses to the History, and other medieval writings on King Arthur and Merlin.
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