Historia Regum Britannie of Geoffrey of Monmouth I: Bern, Burgerbibliothek, MS 568

An admirable piece of work that will be welcomed by the many scholars who have long recognised the need for an easily accessible copy of the Historia. English Historical Review

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s HistoriaRegum Britannie was one of the most influential literary works of the 12th century. It offered a new and allegedly authoritative history of the British from their first colonisation of the island under Brutus until the late 7th century AD; hence its immediate and lasting popularity. The characters which the author introduced to a wider audience have become central figures in English literature, including the most spectacular of Geoffrey’s reshapings, the figure of King Arthur. It is Geoffrey’s account of Arthur which lies behind almost all subsequent Arthurian Romance.

It is hardly surprising that no comprehensive edition of the Historia Regum Britannie as yet exists, because over two hundred manuscripts survive, many of which have never been thoroughly examined. In practical terms, this new edition, based on Bern, Burgerbibliothek, MSD. 568, will make this important text readily availableagain; all emendations to correct scribal errors are clearly indicated.