Geoffrey of Monmouth summary?

Question

Does anyone know where I can find a summary of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittanniae? Preferably online?

Answer 1

Geoff was a terrific writer and unfairly neglected - - - -he is actually 'readable' by modern standards. That said will toss these links at you.

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/CAMELOT/geofhkb.htm
"""CHAP. VIII.--Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon flee from Vortigern, and go to Lesser Britain.

After this, breaking into Constan's bed-chamber, they fell upon him and killed him, and carried his head to Vortigern. At the sight of it, he put on a mournful countenance, and burst forth into tears, though at the same time he was almost transported with joy. However, he summoned together the citizens of London, (for there the fact was committed,) and commanded all the assassins to be bound, and their heads to be cut off for this abominable parricide. In the meantime there were some who had a suspicion, that this piece of villany was wholly the contrivance of Vortigern, and that the Picts were only his instruments to execute it. Others again as positively asserted his innocence. At last the matter being left in doubt, those who had the care of the two brothers, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Uther Pendragon, fled over with them into Lesser Britain, for fear of being killed by Vortigern. There they were kindly received by king Budes, who took care to give them an education suitable to their royal birth. ""


Pax---------------------------

Answer 2

bearstirringfromcave has so kindly provided us with a link for a translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's "'The History of the Kings of Britain" by J.A Giles (1842). There were also two other translations by Sebastian Evans (1896) and Aaron Thompson (1718). Lewis Thorpe, who wrote the Introduction for the most recent Peguin Classics version (black and orange cover), claims that "Thompson's is by far the most sound." Thorpe also says there is little correction of Thompson's translation by Giles, but "the English certainly has been updated."

Answer 3

Geoffrey of Monmouth's "'The History of the Kings of Britain" by J.A Giles