The History of the Kings of Britain / Geoffrey of Monmouth ; translated with an introduction by Lewis Thorpe

Includes index.

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 -- 10. This Translation -- Acknowledgements -- Notes to the Introduction -- Short Bibliography of works used in the Introduction and in the note -- Map of Britain -- Dedication -- format > -- 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 Constantinb (Continued) -- Part Seven: Arthur of Britain -- Part Eight: The Saxon Domination.

"The History of the Kings of Britain (Latin: Historia Regum Britanniae) is a medieval chronicle written by Geoffrey of Monmouth around 1136. It traces the legendary history of Britain’s kings from its mythical founding by Brutus of Troy, through the reigns of iconic figures such as King Arthur and Merlin, to the early Middle Ages. Geoffrey blends folklore, legend, and some historical elements, creating a foundational text for British mythology and Arthurian legend.

Lewis Thorpe’s translation modernizes the language while preserving the narrative’s epic and sometimes fantastical tone. His introduction contextualizes Geoffrey’s work in medieval historiography, explores its sources, and highlights its lasting influence on literature and national identity.

The work remains a key text for understanding medieval ideas about Britain’s past, blending myth and history into a grand narrative that shaped perceptions of British heritage for centuries."