The History of the Kings of Britain

It is an epic work spanning two thousand years, from the founding of Britain by Brutus to the coming of the Saxons. As a historian Geoffrey is sometimes less than reliable, but as the chronicler of half-legendary figures whose deeds have captured the imagination of millions, he is unrivalled: Lear, Cymbeline amd , above all, Arthur was first recorded here, and the Historia's influence inspired Malory and Tennyson, Shakespeare and Dryden.