The History of the Kings of Britain

ISBN-13: 9780140441703 / Angielski / Miękka / 1977 / 384 str.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

Opis

Completed in 1136, this classic chronicle 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.

Lewis Thorpe's translation from the Latin brings us an accurate and enthralling version of Geoffrey's remarkable narrative. His introduction discusses in depth the aims of the author and his possible sources, and describes the impact of this work on British literature.

Spis treści

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

O autorze

Very little is known of Geoffrey of Monmouth. He seems to have lived for a time in Oxford and in 1151 he became Bishop Elect of St Asaph, North Wales. He was ordained at Westminster in 1152. According to the Welsh Chronicles he died in 1155.


Lewis Thorpe was Professor of French at Nottingham University from 1958 to 1977. He has published many books and articles on Arthur, both on the French and English traditions. He died in 1977.