Book excerpt: The twelfth century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth was the author of one of the most famous and influential works of the Middle Ages. ‘History of the Kings of Britain’ brought the figures of Arthur and Merlin into European literature, ensuring a popularity that continues to this day. It relates the purported history of Britain, from its first settlement by Brutus of Troy to the death of Cadwaladr in the seventh century. It also covers Caesar’s invasions of Britain, Kings Leir and Cymbeline and one of the earliest developed narratives of the fabled King Arthur. Denounced from the first by sober historians, this fictional history still exerted an enormous influence on the course of English literature. Delphi’s Medieval Library provides eReaders with rare and precious works of the Middle Ages, with noted English translations and the original texts. This eBook presents Geoffrey’s complete works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Geoffrey's life and works * Features the complete extant works of Geoffrey, in both English translation and the original Latin * Aaron Thompson’s celebrated translation of ‘History of the Kings of Britain’, with J. A. Giles’ 1905 revisions and hyperlinked footnotes * Concise introductions to the works * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Includes Geoffrey’s rare work ‘The Life of Merlin’ (tr. John Jay Parry, 1925), first time in digital print * Provides a special dual English and Latin text, allowing readers to compare the sections paragraph by paragraph — ideal for students * Features a bonus biography — discover Geoffrey's medieval world CONTENTS: The Translations The History of the Kings of Britain (c. 1136) The Life of Merlin (c. 1150) The Latin Texts Contents of the Latin Texts The Dual Text Historia regum Britanniae The Biographies Geoffrey of Monmouth (1900) by Henry Richard Tedder Geoffrey of Monmouth (1902) by A. G. Little Geoffrey of Monmouth (1911) by Henry William Carless Davis Geoffrey of Monmouth (1922) by Andrew Lang