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A review by buddhafish
The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth
4.0
122nd book of 2023. And this handily doubles up as #2 in my challenge with Alan: read something published before 1800.
Historia regum Britanniae / De gestis Britonum / The History of the Kings of Britain is a text written in the 12th century about the creation of Britain and some of our first kings. It was, somehow, considered historical until well into the 16th century. This is strange because within the pages you can find giants, dragons, magicians (notably, of course, Merlin), King Arthur and his magically empowered sword Caliburn, created on the ethereal island of Avalon and King Lear (spelt Leir), the basis of Shakespeare's later play.
The book itself feels like some weird postmodern game: Monmouth claims that Walter the Archdeacon presented him with 'a certain very ancient book written in the British language', which Monmouth then translated into Latin. Monmouth, in the chapter about King Arthur, mentions Walter again, saying he heard about the battle of Camlann from him, a man who was 'most learned in all branches of history.' So whether Walter truly gave Monmouth a physical book, or whether he had simply told him stories which Monmouth decided to write down, is unknown.
I'm embarking on a chunk of research regarding Arthurian myth and legends, so this was my first foray into it. Most Arthurian myth was invented at a later date, by the French, so here King Arthur is less a theological/spiritual tale and quest but rather a man spun to be a true historical King of Britain. Despite his semi-magical sword, Monmouth describes Arthur as being a strong, passionate and skilled leader. It reaches into the hyperbolic often: at one point, Arthur charges into battle with Caliburn and calling upon the 'Blessed Virgin', kills 'four hundred and seventy men'.
The familiar love triangle with Arthur and Lancelot had yet been invented, but Monmouth does relay, in brief, Arthur's nephew Mordred, crowning himself in Britain whilst Arthur is away and living adulterous with his wife, Guinevere. Humorously, this is written, 'About this particular matter, most noble Duke, Geoffrey of Monmouth prefers to say nothing.' He knows his limits. I was hoping to learn a little about the mythical place of Avalon, but Monmouth only mentions it once in saying that Arthur was wounded and retreated there to rest/heal.
As for Merlin, he spouts a lot of prophecies, tells a king about two dragons and steals the rocks that would later become Stonehenge from Ireland where they were placed by giants. In keeping with a lot of British history, Utherpendragon goes and slaughters the Irish who wanted to keep their rocks, and steals them. Later, Uther is buried at their site near Salisbury.
Next up is the French texts that takes these stories and creates them into spiritual fables and romances. And lots of poetry.
Historia regum Britanniae / De gestis Britonum / The History of the Kings of Britain is a text written in the 12th century about the creation of Britain and some of our first kings. It was, somehow, considered historical until well into the 16th century. This is strange because within the pages you can find giants, dragons, magicians (notably, of course, Merlin), King Arthur and his magically empowered sword Caliburn, created on the ethereal island of Avalon and King Lear (spelt Leir), the basis of Shakespeare's later play.
The book itself feels like some weird postmodern game: Monmouth claims that Walter the Archdeacon presented him with 'a certain very ancient book written in the British language', which Monmouth then translated into Latin. Monmouth, in the chapter about King Arthur, mentions Walter again, saying he heard about the battle of Camlann from him, a man who was 'most learned in all branches of history.' So whether Walter truly gave Monmouth a physical book, or whether he had simply told him stories which Monmouth decided to write down, is unknown.
I'm embarking on a chunk of research regarding Arthurian myth and legends, so this was my first foray into it. Most Arthurian myth was invented at a later date, by the French, so here King Arthur is less a theological/spiritual tale and quest but rather a man spun to be a true historical King of Britain. Despite his semi-magical sword, Monmouth describes Arthur as being a strong, passionate and skilled leader. It reaches into the hyperbolic often: at one point, Arthur charges into battle with Caliburn and calling upon the 'Blessed Virgin', kills 'four hundred and seventy men'.
The familiar love triangle with Arthur and Lancelot had yet been invented, but Monmouth does relay, in brief, Arthur's nephew Mordred, crowning himself in Britain whilst Arthur is away and living adulterous with his wife, Guinevere. Humorously, this is written, 'About this particular matter, most noble Duke, Geoffrey of Monmouth prefers to say nothing.' He knows his limits. I was hoping to learn a little about the mythical place of Avalon, but Monmouth only mentions it once in saying that Arthur was wounded and retreated there to rest/heal.
As for Merlin, he spouts a lot of prophecies, tells a king about two dragons and steals the rocks that would later become Stonehenge from Ireland where they were placed by giants. In keeping with a lot of British history, Utherpendragon goes and slaughters the Irish who wanted to keep their rocks, and steals them. Later, Uther is buried at their site near Salisbury.
Next up is the French texts that takes these stories and creates them into spiritual fables and romances. And lots of poetry.