Historia Regum Britanniae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Historia regum Britanniae |
|
|---|---|
| The History of the Kings of Britain | |
|
|
| Author(s) | Geoffrey of Monmouth |
| Ascribed to | Geoffrey claims to have translated "a very ancient book in the British tongue" into Latin |
| Dedicated to | Robert, earl of Gloucester and Waleran, count of Meulan |
| Language | Latin |
| Date | c. 1136 |
| Manuscript(s) | 215 manuscripts, notably Bern, Burgerbibliothek, MS. 568 |
| Genre | Pseudohistory |
| Subject | Legendary kings of the Britons |
| Setting | Mainly Great Britain |
| Personages | See, e.g., List of legendary kings of Britain |
| Adapted and translated, e.g., by Wace, Layamon and the authors of the Brut y Brenhinedd. | |
Historia regum Britanniae (which means The History of the Kings of Britain) is a very old book. It was written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. This book tells a story of British history, but it's not entirely factual. It's known as a pseudohistory, meaning it mixes facts with legends.
The book covers about two thousand years of history. It starts with the Trojans who supposedly founded the British nation. It then continues until the Anglo-Saxons took control of much of Britain around the 7th century. This book is a key part of the stories known as the Matter of Britain.
For a long time, people believed this book was true history, even up to the 16th century. However, today we know it's not accurate history. For example, when it talks about Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain, Geoffrey's story is very different from what other historical records say. Still, it's a super important piece of medieval literature. It contains the first known version of the story of King Lear and his three daughters. It also helped make the legend of King Arthur famous.
Contents
What's Inside the Book?
Why Geoffrey Wrote It
Geoffrey started his book by explaining why he wrote it. He said he couldn't find much information about the kings who lived in Britain before Christ. He also wanted to write about King Arthur and the kings who came after. Geoffrey claimed that a person named Archdeacon Walter gave him a "very ancient book written in the British language." Geoffrey said he translated this old book into Latin. He also mentioned using other old writers like Gildas and Bede as sources.
Geoffrey dedicated his book to two important people: Robert, Earl of Gloucester and Waleran, Count of Meulan. He asked them to use their knowledge to help make his story even better.
The First Kings of Britain
The Historia begins with Aeneas, a hero from Troy. According to the Aeneid by Virgil, Aeneas settled in Italy after the Trojan War. Aeneas's great-grandson, Brutus, was banished from Italy. After much travel, the goddess Diana told him to settle on an island in the western ocean.
Brutus landed at a place called Totnes. He named the island, which was then called Albion, "Britain" after himself. Brutus defeated the giants who lived there. He then built his capital city, calling it Troia Nova ("New Troy"). This city was on the banks of the Thames River. Later, it was known as Trinovantum, and eventually, it became London.
Dividing the Kingdom
When Brutus died, his three sons, Locrinus, Kamber, and Albanactus, divided the country. Their kingdoms were named Loegria, Kambria, and Albany (Scotland). The story quickly moves through the reigns of Locrinus's descendants. One of them was Bladud, who tried to use magic to fly but died in the attempt.
Bladud's son, Leir, ruled for sixty years. He had no sons, so when he got old, he decided to divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. To decide who would get the biggest share, he asked them how much they loved him. Goneril and Regan gave very grand answers. Cordelia, however, answered simply and honestly. Leir was angry and gave Cordelia no land. Goneril and Regan were to share half the island with their husbands.
Cordelia married Aganippus, the King of the Franks, and moved to Gaul. Soon, Goneril and Regan, along with their husbands, rebelled and took the whole kingdom. Leir lost all his helpers and began to regret how he treated Cordelia. He traveled to Gaul, where Cordelia welcomed him kindly. She helped him get his royal clothes and servants back. Aganippus raised an army for Leir, who returned to Britain, defeated his sons-in-law, and got his kingdom back. Leir ruled for three more years and then died. Cordelia inherited the throne and ruled for five years.
Later, Marganus and Cunedagius, her sisters' sons, rebelled against her. Marganus and Cunedagius divided the kingdom between themselves. But they soon argued and went to war. Cunedagius eventually killed Marganus and took control of the whole kingdom. He ruled for thirty-three years and was followed by his son Rivallo.
Much later, a king named Gorboduc had two sons, Ferreux and Porrex. They fought and were both killed, which started a civil war. Britain ended up being ruled by five kings who kept fighting each other. Dunvallo Molmutius, the son of the King of Cornwall, became the strongest. He defeated the other kings and took control of the whole island. He is said to have created the "Molmutine Laws," which were famous in England.
Roman Invasions and British Kings
Dunvallo's sons, Belinus and Brennius, fought a civil war. Their mother helped them make peace. After that, they went on to attack Rome. Brennius stayed in Italy, while Belinus returned to rule Britain.
Many other kings followed, with short accounts of their reigns. One was Lud, who renamed Trinovantum "Kaerlud" after himself. This name later changed to London. Lud was followed by his brother, Cassibelanus, because Lud's sons were too young to rule.
After conquering Gaul, Julius Caesar decided Britain should obey Rome and pay taxes. Cassivellaunus refused. Caesar sailed to Britain but was pushed back by Cassivellaunus's army. Two years later, Caesar tried again but was again forced to retreat. Then, Cassivellaunus had a disagreement with one of his dukes, Androgeus. Androgeus asked Caesar for help. Caesar invaded again and surrounded Cassivellaunus on a hill. Cassivellaunus eventually made peace with Caesar and paid tribute. Caesar then returned to Gaul.
Cassivellaunus died and was followed by his nephew Tenvantius. Tenvantius was followed by his son Kymbelinus, and then Kymbelinus's son Guiderius. Guiderius refused to pay tribute to Emperor Claudius, who then invaded Britain. Guiderius was killed in battle. His brother Arvirargus continued fighting but eventually agreed to surrender to Rome. He married Claudius's daughter, Genvissa. Claudius returned to Rome, leaving Arviragus in charge of the province.
The line of British kings continued under Roman rule. This included Lucius, who was said to be Britain's first Christian king. After a long time, the Romans decided they no longer wanted to defend the island and left. The Britons were immediately attacked by Picts, Scots, and Danes. The Britons had fewer people because many had gone to colonize Brittany or fight in Roman campaigns. The Britons desperately asked Rome for help, but received no answer.
The Saxons Arrive
After the Romans left, the Britons asked the King of Brittany, Aldroenus, to rule them. But Aldroenus sent his brother Constantine instead. After Constantine died, Vortigern helped Constantine's oldest son, Constans, become king. Then Vortigern arranged for their murder and took power himself. Constantine's younger sons, Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther, were too young to rule and were taken to safety.
Vortigern invited the Saxons under Hengist and Horsa to fight for him as paid soldiers. But the Saxons turned against him. Vortigern lost control of much of his land and met the wizard Merlin.
Merlin's Prophecies
At this point, Geoffrey suddenly included a series of prophecies that he said came from Merlin. Some of these prophecies hinted at future events in the Historia. Others were hidden clues about real people and events in the Norman world during the 11th and 12th centuries. Some of the prophecies are still a bit mysterious today.
The Age of Arthur
After Aurelius Ambrosius defeated and killed Vortigern, he became king. Britain remained at war under him and his brother Uther. Both were helped by the wizard Merlin. During a series of battles, Ambrosius became ill. Uther had to lead the army for him. An enemy assassin pretended to be a doctor and poisoned Ambrosius. When the king died, a comet shaped like a dragon's head (pendragon) appeared in the sky. Merlin said this meant Ambrosius was dead and Uther would win and become king. After defeating his enemies, Uther added "Pendragon" to his name and was crowned king.
But another enemy attacked, forcing Uther to fight again. He was temporarily defeated but won with the help of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. While celebrating, Uther fell in love with Gorlois's wife, Igerna. This led to war between Uther and Gorlois. With Merlin's magic, Uther was able to be with Igerna, and Arthur was conceived that night. Then Gorlois was killed, and Uther married Igerna. Uther had to fight the Saxons again. He won, but he died after drinking poisoned water.
Uther's son Arthur became king. He defeated the Saxons so completely that they were not a threat until after his death. Arthur then conquered most of northern Europe. This brought a time of peace and wealth until the Romans, led by Lucius Hiberius, demanded that Britain pay tribute to Rome again.
Arthur returned and killed Mordred at the Battle of Camlann. But Arthur was badly wounded. He was taken to the isle of Avalon and gave the kingdom to his cousin Constantine.
The Saxons returned after Arthur's death. They did not end the line of British kings until the death of Cadwallader. Cadwallader was forced to leave Britain and asked King Alan of the Amoricans for help. However, an angel told him that the Britons would no longer rule and that he should go to Rome. Cadwallader went to Rome and died there. He left his son and nephew to rule the remaining Britons. The remaining Britons were pushed into Wales, and the Saxon Athelstan became King of Loegria.
Where Did Geoffrey Get His Ideas?
Geoffrey claimed he translated the Historia from "a very ancient book in the British tongue." He said Walter, Archdeacon of Oxford, gave him this book. However, modern experts don't believe this claim. Much of Geoffrey's work seems to come from other old writings. These include:
- Gildas's De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (from the 6th century)
- Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (from the 8th century)
- The Historia Brittonum (from the 9th century, linked to Nennius)
- The Annales Cambriae (from the 10th century)
- Old Welsh family trees and lists of kings.
- Poems by Taliesin.
- The Welsh story Culhwch and Olwen.
- Some medieval Welsh saints' lives.
Geoffrey took these sources and used his own imagination to turn them into a continuous story.
How the Book Influenced Others
The Historia became very popular during the High Middle Ages. It changed how people viewed British history before and during the Anglo-Saxon period. Even though some writers like Gerald of Wales and William of Newburgh criticized it, saying it was not true, many people believed it.
The prophecies of Merlin, in particular, were often used later. For example, both sides in the arguments about English influence over Scotland used them.
The Historia was quickly translated into Norman poetry by Wace in 1155. This version was called the Roman de Brut. Wace's version was then translated into Middle English poetry by Layamon in the early 13th century, called the Brut. In the 13th century, a Latin poetry version, the Gesta Regum Britanniae, was made by William of Rennes. Parts of Geoffrey's work were used in many other historical books from the 13th century onwards.
Geoffrey's book was also translated into several Welsh prose versions by the end of the 13th century. These are known as Brut y Brenhinedd. One version, called Brut Tysilio, was thought by some to be the ancient British book Geoffrey claimed to translate. However, the Brut itself says it was translated from Latin. Geoffrey's work is very important because it helped bring Welsh culture into wider British society. It is also the first written record we have of the famous King Lear and the start of the mythical King Arthur figure.
For centuries, the Historia was accepted as fact. Much of its material was included in Holinshed's Chronicles in the 16th century. Today, historians see the Historia as a work of fiction that contains some factual information.
The book continues to influence popular culture. For example, Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy and the TV show Merlin both use many ideas from the Historia.
About the Manuscripts
There are 215 medieval copies of the Historia that still exist today. Dozens of these were copied before the end of the 12th century. Even among the oldest copies, there are many differences in the text. These differences can be seen in the three possible introductions to the book. They also appear in whether certain stories or phrases are included or left out. Some differences might be due to Geoffrey adding things to different early copies. But most likely, they show early attempts to change or edit the text. Figuring out these differences and finding Geoffrey's original text is a long and difficult job.
The title Historia regum Britanniae became common in the Middle Ages. However, a detailed study of the work published in 2007 showed that the most accurate copies call the book De gestis Britonum. This was likely the title Geoffrey himself used.
See also
