The History of the Kings of Britain (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Geoffrey of Monmouth (Author), Lewis Thorpe (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0140441700 | ISBN-13: 978-0140441703 | Publication Date: January 27, 1977 | Edition: 1st

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Faletra has created a superb addition to Broadview's increasingly strong catalog of medieval texts for the classroom. This volume will likely be the version of Geoffrey's "humble style" for a new generation of students, and it has much to offer them." (Matthew Fisher Speculum )

"Geoffry of Monmouth's Historia—'food and drink of poets' and provocative goad to historians—is wonderfully contextualized in this fine new translation by Michael A. Faletra. It immediately assumes canonical power as a crucial teaching text." (Bonnie Wheeler )

"This new translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's seminal history will be of great value to teachers of Arthurian literature. Michael A. Faletra accompanies his smooth, modern translation with an intelligent selection of supporting primary material from the Latin and Welsh traditions. The decision to include a complete translation of Geoffrey's Life of Merlin makes the book particularly attractive. The useful introduction positions Geoffrey's work in its historical, cultural, and critical context. A most welcome addition to Broadview's increasingly impressive list of texts." (Sian Echard )

"Michael A. Faletra has provided us with a lively new translation of the most important foundational text in the Arthurian tradition, Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. Faletra's work will be of service to the scholar, the teacher, and the general reader. The book's four appendices contain fresh translations by Faletra of the major sources and analogues to Geoffrey's history, including Geoffrey's own Life of Merlin. Faletra's up-to-date introduction, notes, and bibliography enable the reader to follow recent scholarly discussion and debate surrounding one of the most influential, and controversial authors of the Middle Ages." (Michael J. Curley ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; 1st edition (January 27, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140441700
• ISBN-13: 978-0140441703
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Irish
  • #37 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Royalty
  • #69 in Books > History > Europe > England

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Origins of Arthur, Lear and so much else, July 7, 2003

By 

J. Angus Macdonald "bibliovore" (Concord, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The History of the Kings of Britain (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Geoffrey of Monmouth is the man who really started the "King Arthur Craze" of the 12th & 13th centuries. After writing "The History of the Kings of Britain" we have the explosion of works by Chretien de Troyes, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Marie de France, Gottfried von Strassburg, the Vulgate Cycle and all the rest, eventually culminating in the 15th century with Le Morte D'Arthur. No matter what oral tradition may have been in place before this time (the "little book" loaned to Geoffrey?), this is THE book that starts the true interest in The Matter of Britain.

While King Arthur is the centerpiece of the work, this book contains many tales, many of which were later reworked by other authors, most notably Llyr (Lear) and his three daughters.

This book is not a history in the modern sense. "History" derives from "historia", a story, a tale; such "historical" stories were meant, first and foremost, to be moral, didactic lessons on how to (or how NOT to) conduct one's life. Very little in this book could be construed by modern standards to be a "true history"; conversely, here are tales of nobility, gallantry, perfidy, excess, and the like. The characters are exemplars, not real people. The book, starting with the Fall of Troy, leads towards the glory of King Arthur and then falls away from this point, with the slow decline of the Britons in the face of the Anglo-Saxons.

This book is not an easy read by modern standards. On the other hand, it was a medieval "best seller", a book for which there are dozens of manuscripts to sort out (often with slight differences in the text). If you have a real interest in the Arthurian legends or in medieval literature in general, you owe it to yourself to read this volume. While the tales of the Mabinogian may be older, this is the spark-point that introduces Europe to King Arthur.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical and Literary Aspects, October 30, 2003

By 

Angela Yoong (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History of the Kings of Britain (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

In The History of the Kings of Britain, Geoffrey of Monmouth presents a detailed history of the Britons, beginning with Brutus in the twelfth century B.C. and ending with Saxon invasion in the seventh century A.D. Through the main characters of his book, Brutus, Belinus and Arthur, Geoffrey illustrates Britain's glorious past, recalling the events in chronological sequence and providing detailed descriptions of every event, especially those strategic to the building of Britain.
While Geoffrey's source has yet to be proved, in his own introduction, Geoffrey claims to follow a reliable and ancient source given to him by a friend. The lack of evidence to support this claim, coupled with the supernatural elements incorporated into The History of the Kings of Britain, makes it difficult for the modern reader to place complete trust in the text as a historical account of Britain's history. The text is, however, rich in historical value as from his writing, one can deduce much about the political structure of Britain in that time frame, as well as the sociological makeup of the nation. The emphasis on politics, war and international relations, form a rough picture of Britain's power system, and the lengthy stories revolving around his characters give the reader insight on the lives of the British nobility.
The History of the Kings of Britain deserves as much credit (if not more) for its literary value as its historical one. While Geoffrey considers himself a historian, his artistic talents, fluency and extensive use of vocabulary bring his accounts to life, turning the text into an enjoyable literary piece. Especially in key passages (in particular those concerning Arthur), Geoffrey makes very fine and detailed points, often narrating livelily.
Lastly, Geoffrey writes "to be read by the solitary reader, not to be declaimed aloud...recital." While unable to resist the temptation to exalt certain characters he favor, Geoffrey is sensitive to leave much room for the reader's imagination. The experience of reading Geoffrey includes filling in the gaps in his stories with speculations of your own, giving every reader a personal "version" of the book.
The History of the Kings of Britain is both an acclaimed literary piece and a famous historical account. The richness of its text lies in the careful description of the events, and the accessible style of writing. A marvelous attempt at introducing Britain's early history, the History of the Kings of Britain also provides one of the greatest accounts of the Arthurian legend.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bloody Britons, December 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The History of the Kings of Britain (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Geoffrey of Monmouth's History traces the kingship of Britain from its mythical origins after the fall of Troy to the beginning of Saxon rule. According to Geoffrey, the Britons are descended from Brutus, refugee from Troy and the grandson of Aeneas, the founder of Rome. Most of his history centers around Brutus, Belinus and Arthur, three fictional kings who got the better of Rome and the rest of Europe, either in battle or by duplicity.

Geoffrey also provides the earliest surviving stories of Arthur and Merlin. Geoffrey apparently admired bloody conquest (as long as the conquerors were Britons) and his Arthur is the bloodiest of all. In this first version of the Arthur story there is no Lancelot or Morgan le Fey, no Grail and no Camelot. But Geoffrey inserts a lengthy chapter containing the prophecies of Merlin, and a few magical episodes as well, such as the story of Arthur's conception.

The style is the terse and elegant, but lacks the deeper moral sense of some other medieval literature and later Arthurian tales. Arthur's justifications of conquest are shallow at best. Sometimes the austere style leaves your mouth watering for more detail. Try this single sentence description of an entire reign: "In his reign the sky rained blood for three days and many Britons died from the massings of flies." Fascinating. Tell me more! But he doesn't. Still definitely worth reading.