The History of the Kings of Britain (Penguin Classics)

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.

Key Highlights:

• Legendary and Semi-Legendary Figures:
  The book vividly portrays iconic characters such as:
  • Lear
  • Cymbeline
  • Merlin the magician
  • The most famous of all British heroes, King Arthur
• A Fusion of Myth and History:
  While the work is as much myth as it is history, its veracity was questioned by other medieval writers.
• Enduring Influence:
  Geoffrey of Monmouth's powerful evocation of illustrious men and deeds captured the imagination of subsequent generations. His influence can be traced through the works of:
  • Malory
  • Shakespeare
  • Dryden
  • Tennyson

This remarkable narrative continues to inspire and intrigue, blending legend with history in a way that has shaped British literary tradition for centuries.