Histories of the Kings of Britain

The book was completed around 1136 AD and quickly gained popularity in medieval Europe. Histories of the Kings of Britain consists of a chronicle of British history from its legendary origins to the early medieval period. The work is divided into 12 books and covers a vast timespan including the reigns of legendary figures such as King Brutus King Lear and the famous King Arthur. One of the most significant contributions of Geoffreys work was his incorporation of the Arthurian legend into written history. He presented King Arthur as a great and powerful ruler of Britain and his portrayal of Arthurs exploits had a lasting impact on subsequent literature and the development of the Arthurian legend. It is essential to note that while Histories of the Kings of Britain is a fascinating and influential work it is not a reliable historical account in the modern sense. Geoffrey of Monmouth drew heavily from earlier sources some of which are now lost and also incorporated legendary and fictional elements into his narrative. As a result the book is considered a piece of literature and a reflection of medieval storytelling and beliefs rather than a strict historical record.