Historia Regum Britanniae

Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain), originally called De gestis Britonum (On the Deeds of the Britons), is a made-up story about British history. It was written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. The book tells the stories of many kings of the Britons over two thousand years. It starts with the Trojans creating the British nation and ends when the Anglo-Saxons took control of much of Britain in the 7th century.

Even though people believed this story was true until the 16th century, we now know it is not real history. When the book talks about real events, like Julius Caesar’s invasions of Britain, the details are very wrong. But the book is still important because it is old stories and books from the middle ages. It includes the earliest known tale of King Lear and his three daughters and helped make the legend of King Arthur famous.

Contents

Geoffrey begins his book with a short dedication. He says he was given an old book in the British language by Archdeacon Walter of Oxford, which he used for his history.

The Historia starts with the Trojan hero Aeneas, who settled in Italy after the Trojan War, as told in the Aeneid. His great-grandson Brutus was banished and, guided by the goddess Diana, settled on an island in the western ocean. Brutus landed at Totnes and named the island "Britain" after himself, defeating the giants who lived there. He built a city that later became London. After Brutus died, the island was split into three kingdoms for his sons: Loegria (England) for Locrinus, Cambria (Wales) for Camber, and Alba (Scotland) for Albanactus.

Later, King Leir divided his kingdom among his three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. He gave Cordelia no land, so she left for Gaul. Leir regretted his decision and went to Gaul. Cordelia gathered an army to help Leir return to Britain, defeat his sons-in-law, and regain the kingdom. Cordelia ruled for five years until she was imprisoned by her sisters' sons, Cunedagius and Marganus. Heartbroken, she passed away. Cunedagius ended the civil war by defeating Marganus in Wales.

In another time, Dunvallo Molmutius, son of the King of Cornwall, ruled the whole island and created the Molmutine Laws. His sons, Belinus and Brennius, fought but made peace through their mother and attacked Rome. Brennius stayed in Italy, while Belinus returned to rule Britain.

After conquering Gaul, Julius Caesar demanded Britain pay tribute to Rome. Cassivellaunus agreed, and Caesar returned to Gaul. Later, Guiderius refused to pay tribute to the Roman emperor Claudius, leading to a Roman invasion. After Guiderius was killed, his brother Arvirargus agreed to Roman rule and married Claudius's daughter Genvissa.

Under Roman rule, the British kings continued. When the Romans left, the Britons faced attacks. They asked for help but received none. They invited Constantine, from Brittany, to rule. After Constantine's death, Vortigern took power by helping and then murdering his son Constans. Vortigern brought in the Saxons as soldiers, but they turned against him.

The story then includes prophecies said to be from Merlin.

After Aurelius Ambrosius defeated Vortigern, he became king. During battles, a comet shaped like a dragon's head appeared, which Merlin said meant Ambrosius had passed away and Uther would win. Uther fell in love with Igerna, the wife of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall, and with Merlin's help, they were together secretly. Their son Arthur was born. Uther then married Igerna after Gorlois was killed.

Arthur became king and defeated the Saxons, bringing peace. He conquered much of northern Europe. When Rome demanded tribute again, Arthur defeated their leader in Gaul but was challenged at home. His nephew Mordred took the throne during Arthur's absence. Arthur returned, and Mordred was killed at the Battle of Camlann. Wounded, Arthur was taken to the isle of Avalon, and his cousin Constantine became king. The Saxons continued to attack until the last British king, Cadwallader, fled to Rome, where he passed away. His son and nephew led the remaining Britons in Wales, while the Saxon Athelstan became King of Loegria.

Main article: Prophetiae Merlini