The History of the Kings of Britain ─ 12th Century

Geoffrey's (1100-54) Historia Regum Britannie was the first sustained narrative of King Arthur, and has continued to be widely published first in manuscript then in print and recently in electronic form since its appearance about 1138. Faletra (English, Reed College, Oregon) here offers the first full translation of the Bern manuscript, of Norman provenance probably from the late 12th century; it is now considered the single best text. He supports his modern colloquial English with explanatory footnotes and an impressive battery of appendices containing texts of sources for the history generally and for Merlin and Arthur, and a selection of early responses to the narrative. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Michael A. Faletra is Assistant Professor of English at Reed College, Portland, Oregon.