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65-661: In the Historia Regum Britanniae , one of the earliest texts of the Matter of Britain, only Uther is given the surname Pendragon , which is explained by the author Geoffrey of Monmouth as literally meaning dragon's head . In the prose version of Robert de Boron 's Merlin , the name of Uther's elder brother Ambrosius Aurelianus is given as Pendragon , while Uter (Uther) changes his name after his brother's death to Uterpendragon . The use of "Pendragon" to refer to Arthur, rather than to Uther or his brother,

130-608: A "deliberate spoof", although this is based on misidentifying Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, as Walter Map , a satirical writer who lived a century later. It continues to have an influence on popular culture. For example, Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy and the TV miniseries Merlin both contain large elements taken from the Historia . Two hundred and fifteen medieval manuscripts of the Historia survive, dozens of them copied before

195-543: A Gaulish army for Leir, who returns to Britain, defeats his sons-in-law and regains the kingdom. Leir rules for three years and then dies; Cordelia inherits the throne and rules for five years before Marganus and Cunedagius, her sisters' sons, rebel against her. They imprison Cordelia; grief-stricken, she kills herself. Marganus and Cunedagius divide the kingdom between themselves, but soon quarrel and go to war with each other. Cunedagius eventually kills Marganus in Wales and retains

260-622: A Welsh noble family called Pendragon. A movie was released in 2008 entitled Pendragon: Sword of His Father by Burns Family Studios about a young Artos (Arthur) Pendragon. In a 2020 episode of the Australian animated series Bluey , Bluey, Bingo and Bandit (voiced by David McCormack ) are shopping for a Moonlight Unicorn for Muffin's birthday. Since Bluey and Bingo are playing the "quiet game" and thus cannot talk for fear of losing, Bandit must guess which one to purchase through pantomiming by his daughters. After several unsuccessful attempts,

325-406: A copy of Historia Regum Britanniae , which both Robert and Henry used uncritically as authentic history and subsequently used in their own works, by which means some of Geoffrey's fictions became embedded in popular history. The history of Geoffrey forms the basis for much British lore and literature as well as being a rich source of material for Welsh bards . It became tremendously popular during

390-554: A date range of c. 510–530 AD. Gildas' relics were venerated in the abbey which he founded in Rhuys, until the 10th century, when they were removed to Berry . In the 18th century, they were said to be moved to the cathedral at Vannes and then hidden during the French Revolution . The various relics survived the revolution and have all since been returned to Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys where they are visible at various times of

455-553: A dedication to Robert, Earl of Gloucester and Waleran, Count of Meulan , whom he enjoins to use their knowledge and wisdom to improve his tale. The work of the History of Kings which was complied by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century has since been cited by medieval English and Welsh kings to assert the claim to a kingdom as its ruler. The legend began 3,000 years ago after the Trojan War ( c.  1184 BC ). It

520-583: A detailed list of the Kings of Wales with his ancestry going back to Brutus of Troy. However, Gruffudd's descent was from Locrinus of Scotland and not his brother King Camber of Wales. Otherwise, it is said that in the 8th century, the Welsh monk Nennius wrote the now questioned ancestry list, and that it was Geoffrey who published the king list accepted to date. In an exchange of manuscript material for their own histories, Robert of Torigny gave Henry of Huntington

585-622: A fleet to Britain, but he is overwhelmed by Cassivellaunus's army and forced to retreat to Gaul. Two years later he makes another attempt, but is again pushed back. Then Cassivellaunus quarrels with one of his dukes, Androgeus, who sends a letter to Caesar asking him to help avenge the duke's honour. Caesar invades once more and besieges Cassivellaunus on a hill. After several days Cassivellaunus offers to make peace with Caesar, and Androgeus, filled with remorse, goes to Caesar to plead with him for mercy. Cassivellaunus pays tribute and makes peace with Caesar, who then returns to Gaul. Cassivelaunus dies and

650-554: A monastery known as Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys . Differing versions of the Life of Saint Gildas exist, but both agree that he was born in what is now Scotland on the banks of the River Clyde , and that he was the son of a royal family. These works were written in the eleventh and twelfth centuries and are regarded by scholars as unhistorical. He is now thought to have his origins farther south. In his own work, he claims to have been born

715-520: A national moral struggle through the centuries; bearers of the title include Cassibelaun , Uther, Arthur, and Elwin Ransom . Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court makes various satirical and scathing remarks about "The Pendragon Dynasty" which are in fact aimed at ridiculing much later British dynasties. The story of The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb revolves around

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780-564: A new store employee named Alfie (voiced by Robert Irwin ) correctly guesses "Pendragon", prompting the excited Bluey and Bingo to end the quiet game. Historia Regum Britanniae Historia regum Britanniae ( The History of the Kings of Britain ), originally called De gestis Britonum ( On the Deeds of the Britons ), is a fictitious historical account of British history, written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth . It chronicles

845-414: A physician and poison Ambrosius. When the king dies, a comet taking the form of a dragon's head ( pendragon ) appears in the night sky, which Merlin interprets as a sign that Ambrosius is dead and that Uther will be victorious and succeed him. So after defeating his latest enemies, Uther adds "Pendragon" to his name and is crowned king. But another enemy strikes, forcing Uther to make war again. This time he

910-493: A religious life. After completing his studies under Illtud, Gildas went to Ireland where he was ordained as a priest. He returned to his native lands in northern Britain where he acted as a missionary, preaching to the pagan people and converting many of them to Christianity . He was then asked by Ainmericus, high king of Ireland ( Ainmuire mac Sétnai , 566–569), to restore order to the church in Ireland, which had altogether lost

975-488: A time. Hueil's enmity with Arthur is also mentioned in the Welsh prose tale Culhwch and Olwen , written around 1100. A tradition in north Wales places Hueil's execution at Ruthin , and the supposed execution stone, Maen Huail , is preserved in the town square. The Llancarfan life also contains the earliest surviving appearance of the abduction of the Guinevere episode, common in later Arthurian literature. Gildas secures

1040-472: A valuable piece of medieval literature, which contains the earliest known version of the story of King Lear and his three daughters, and helped popularise the legend of King Arthur . Geoffrey starts the book with a statement of his purpose in writing the history: "I have not been able to discover anything at all on the kings who lived here before the Incarnation of Christ, or indeed about Arthur and all

1105-643: Is a sermon in three parts condemning the acts of his contemporaries, both secular and religious. The first part consists of Gildas' explanation for his work and a brief narrative of Roman Britain from its conquest under the Principate to Gildas' time. He describes the doings of the Romans and the Groans of the Britons , in which the Britons make one last request for military aid from the departed Roman military. He excoriates his fellow Britons for their sins, while at

1170-481: Is also the first record we have of the great figure King Lear, and the beginning of the mythical King Arthur figure. For centuries, the Historia was accepted at face value, and much of its material was incorporated into Holinshed 's 16th-century Chronicles . Modern historians have regarded the Historia as a work of fiction with some factual information contained within. John Morris in The Age of Arthur calls it

1235-594: Is celebrated on 29 January. Gildas is credited with a hymn called the Lorica , or Breastplate , a prayer for deliverance from evil , which contains specimens of Hiberno-Latin . A proverb is also attributed to Gildas mab y Gaw in the Englynion y Clyweid in Llanstephan MS. 27. In Bonedd y Saint , Gildas is recorded as having three sons and a daughter. Gwynnog ap Gildas and Noethon ap Gildas are named in

1300-426: Is given rule of Brittany to compensate him for not succeeding. After a long period of Roman rule, the Romans decide they no longer wish to defend the island and depart. The Britons are immediately besieged by attacks from Picts , Scots and Danes, especially as their numbers have been depleted due to Conan colonizing Brittany and Maximianus using British troops for his campaigns. In desperation the Britons send letters to

1365-509: Is of much more recent vintage. In literature, one of its earliest uses to refer to Arthur is in Alfred, Lord Tennyson 's poem " Lancelot and Elaine ", where, however, it appears as Arthur's title rather than his surname, following contemporary speculation that "pendragon" had been a term for an ancient Welsh war-chief. In C. S. Lewis 's 1945 novel That Hideous Strength , the Pendragon leads

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1430-448: Is succeeded by his brother, Cassibelanus , as Lud's sons Androgeus and Tenvantius are not yet of age. In recompense, Androgeus is made Duke of Kent and Trinovantum (London), and Tenvantius is made Duke of Cornwall . After his conquest of Gaul, Julius Caesar looks over the sea and resolves to order Britain to swear obedience and pay tribute to Rome. His commands are answered by a letter of refusal from Cassivellaunus. Caesar sails

1495-404: Is succeeded by his nephew Tenvantius, as Androgeus has gone to Rome. Tenvantius is succeeded in turn by his son Kymbelinus , and then Kymbelinus's son Guiderius . Guiderius refuses to pay tribute to emperor Claudius , who then invades Britain. After Guiderius is killed in battle with the Romans, his brother Arvirargus continues the defence, but eventually agrees to submit to Rome, and is given

1560-447: Is temporarily defeated, gaining final victory only with the help of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall . But while celebrating this victory with Gorlois, he falls in love with the duke's wife, Igerna . This leads to war between Uther Pendragon and Gorlois of Cornwall, during which Uther clandestinely lies with Igerna through the magic of Merlin. Arthur is conceived that night. Then Gorlois is killed and Uther marries Igerna. But he must war against

1625-549: Is the only contemporary information about them, it is of particular interest to scholars of British history. Part three is a similar attack on the clergy of the time. The works of Gildas, including the Excidio , can be found in volume 69 of the Patrologia Latina . De Excidio was usually dated to the 540s, but the historian Guy Halsall inclines to an "early Gildas" c. 490. Cambridge historian Karen George offered

1690-636: The Galfridian works Geoffrey to Robert III of Scotland . Glyndwr referenced himself as the Prince of Wales and a direct descendant and heir of the son of Brutus of Troy, King Camber, and also of later the medieval King Cadwaladr . The work of Geoffrey of Monmouth was considered to take inspiration from the Latin publication of the life of 11th and 12th century King Gruffudd ap Cynan (written from 1137), finished by Gerald of Wales . Gruffudd's biography has

1755-484: The Harleian Genealogies ) and king-lists, the poems of Taliesin , the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen , and some of the medieval Welsh saints' lives, expanded and turned into a continuous narrative by Geoffrey's own imagination. The medieval works are deemed to be drawn from traditional Celtic materials and are supposed to have deep roots to the point that the publications are considered reliable and not

1820-565: The High Middle Ages , revolutionising views of British history before and during the Anglo-Saxon period despite the criticism of such writers as Gerald of Wales and William of Newburgh , who stated "no one but a person ignorant of ancient history [can doubt] how impertinently and impudently he falsifies in every respect." . The prophecies of Merlin in particular were often drawn on in later periods, for instance by both sides in

1885-465: The Norman world in the 11th–12th centuries. The remainder are obscure. After Aurelius Ambrosius defeats and kills Vortigern , becoming king, Britain remains in a state of war under him and his brother Uther. They are both assisted by the wizard Merlin. At one point during the continuous string of battles, Ambrosius takes ill and Uther must lead the army for him. This allows an enemy assassin to pose as

1950-481: The Saxons under Hengist and Horsa to fight for him as mercenaries, but they rise against him. He loses control of much of his land and encounters Merlin . At this point Geoffrey abruptly pauses his narrative by inserting a series of prophecies attributed to Merlin . Some of the prophecies act as an epitome of upcoming chapters of the Historia , while others are veiled allusions to historical people and events of

2015-604: The Strata Florida Abbey in Wales, and then translated by Hywel Fychan ap Hywel Goch of Buellt into Latin- Welsh during 1250 in the manuscript Chronicle of Kings ( Welsh : Brut y Brenhinedd ). Both of which are part of the medieval manuscripts of Wales ( Wales Library collection ), a lot of which are kept at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth today. Geoffrey's work was to do with

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2080-581: The Trojan Aeneas , who, according to the Aeneid of Virgil , settled in Italy after the Trojan War . His great-grandson Brutus is banished, and, after a period of wandering, is directed by the goddess Diana to settle on an island in the western ocean. Brutus lands at Totnes and names the island, then called Albion , "Britain" after himself. Brutus defeats the giants who are the only inhabitants of

2145-493: The British tongue", given to him by Walter, Archdeacon of Oxford . However, no modern scholars take this claim seriously. Much of the work appears to be derived from Gildas 's 6th-century De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae , Bede 's 8th-century Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum , the 9th-century Historia Brittonum ascribed to Nennius , the 10th-century Annales Cambriae , medieval Welsh genealogies (such as

2210-624: The Christian faith. Gildas obeyed the king's summons and travelled all over the island, converting the inhabitants, building churches, and establishing monasteries. He then travelled to Rome and Ravenna where he performed many miracles, including slaying a dragon while in Rome. Intending to return to Britain, he instead settled on the Isle of Houat off Brittany where he led a solitary, austere life. At around this time, he also preached to Nonnita (Non) ,

2275-732: The Saxons again. Although Uther ultimately triumphs, he dies after drinking water from a spring the Saxons had poisoned. Uther's son Arthur assumes the throne and inflicts a severe enough defeat against the Saxons that they cease to be a threat until after his death. In the meantime, Arthur conquers most of northern Europe and ushers in a period of peace and prosperity that lasts until the Romans, led by Lucius Hiberius , demands that Britain once again pay tribute to Rome. Arthur defeats Lucius in Gaul, intending to become Emperor, but in his absence, his nephew Mordred seduces and marries Guinevere and seizes

2340-583: The Wise) — was a 6th-century British monk best known for his scathing religious polemic De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae , which recounts the history of the Britons before and during the coming of the Saxons . He is one of the best-documented figures of the Christian church in the British Isles during the sub-Roman period, and was renowned for his Biblical knowledge and literary style. In his later life, he emigrated to Brittany , where he founded

2405-540: The aid of King Alan of the Armoricans. However an angel's voice tells him the Britons will no longer rule and he should go to Rome. Cadwallader does so, dying there, though leaves his son and nephew to rule the remaining Britons. The remaining Britons are driven into Wales and the Saxon Athelstan becomes King of Loegria. Geoffrey claimed to have translated the Historia into Latin from "a very ancient book in

2470-432: The end of the 12th century. Even among the earliest manuscripts a large number of textual variants, such as the so-called "First Variant", can be discerned. These are reflected in the three possible prefaces to the work and in the presence or absence of certain episodes and phrases. Certain variants may be due to "authorial" additions to different early copies, but most probably reflect early attempts to alter, add to or edit

2535-876: The general of the Roman forces, asking for help, but receive no reply (this passage borrows heavily from the corresponding section in Gildas' De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae ). After the Romans leave, the Britons ask the King of Brittany (Armorica), Aldroenus , descended from Conan, to rule them. However, Aldroenus instead sends his brother Constantine to rule the Britons. After Constantine's death, Vortigern assists his eldest son Constans in succeeding, before enabling their murder and coming to power. Constantine's remaining sons Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther are too young to rule and are taken to safety in Armorica. Vortigern invites

2600-467: The hand of Claudius's daughter Genvissa in marriage. Claudius returns to Rome, leaving the province under Arvirargus's governorship. The line of British kings continues under Roman rule, and includes Lucius , Britain's first Christian king, and several Roman figures, including the emperor Constantine I , the usurper Allectus and the military commander Asclepiodotus . When Octavius passes the crown to his son-in-law Maximianus , his nephew Conan Meriadoc

2665-594: The history of the British kings who hailed from the Greek Empire and specifically from after the Trojan War (fall of Troy). Then, the books detail the Welsh medieval era during of the Kingdom of Gwynedd , from around 682, culminating in the life of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd until 1282, it was Prince Llywelyn II who referenced Geoffrey's work. Also, another king to cite the books was Prince Owain Glyndwr , he spoke of

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2730-623: The imagination of one man, aka Geoffrey. However, since Geoffrey's publication of the Historia Regum Britanniae (De gestis Britonum), his work has been downgraded due to factual errors that were once recorded for the publication of his work i.e. observations to do with Stonehenge . Then, it was merely a century later that Geoffrey's 'The History of Kings' was rewritten and translated in Cistercian monasteries at locations such as Whitland , St Davids Cathedral and later

2795-537: The island with their husbands, the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall. Cordelia marries Aganippus, King of the Franks, and departs for Gaul. Soon Goneril and Regan and their husbands rebel and take the whole kingdom. After Leir has had all his attendants taken from him, he begins to regret his actions towards Cordelia and travels to Gaul. Cordelia receives him compassionately and restores his royal robes and retinue. Aganippus raises

2860-530: The island, and establishes his capital, Troia Nova ("New Troy"), on the banks of the Thames; later it is known as Trinovantum , and eventually renamed London. When Brutus dies, his three sons, Locrinus, Kamber and Albanactus, divide the country between themselves; the three kingdoms are named Loegria , Kambria (North and West of the Severn to Humber) and Albany (Scotland). The story then progresses rapidly through

2925-583: The issue of English influence over Scotland under Edward I and his successors. The Historia was quickly translated into Norman verse by Wace (the Roman de Brut ) in 1155. Wace's version was in turn translated into Middle English verse by Layamon (the Brut ) in the early 13th century. In the second quarter of the 13th century, a version in Latin verse, the Gesta Regum Britanniae ,

2990-463: The life of a hermit . However, his life of solitude was short-lived, and pupils soon sought him out and begged him to teach them. He eventually founded a monastery for these students at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys in Brittany , where he wrote De Excidio Britanniae, criticising British rulers and exhorting them to put off their sins and embrace true Christian faith. He is thought to have died at Rhuys and

3055-825: The lives of the kings of the Britons over the course of two thousand years, beginning with the Trojans founding the British nation and continuing until the Anglo-Saxons assumed control of much of Britain around the 7th century. It is one of the central pieces of the Matter of Britain . Although taken as historical well into the 16th century, it is now considered to have no value as history. When events described, such as Julius Caesar 's invasions of Britain , can be corroborated from contemporary histories, Geoffrey's account can be seen to be wildly inaccurate. It remains, however,

3120-495: The most accurate manuscripts refer to the work as De gestis Britonum , and that this was the title Geoffrey himself used to refer to the work. Gildas Gildas (English pronunciation: / ˈ ɡ ɪ l d ə s / , Breton : Gweltaz ; c.  450/500  – c.  570 ) — also known as Gildas Badonicus , Gildas fab Caw (in Middle Welsh texts and antiquarian works) and Gildas Sapiens (Gildas

3185-654: The mother of Saint David , while she was pregnant with the saint. He was eventually sought out by those who wished to study under him, and was entreated to establish a monastery in Brittany, which he did at a place now known as Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys . The second "Life" of Gildas was written by Caradoc of Llancarfan , a friend of Geoffrey of Monmouth and his Norman patrons. This is an entirely fictional account intended to associate Gildas with Glastonbury Abbey. It also associates him with King Arthur . Arthur kills Gildas's brother Hueil , which causes enmity between them for

3250-614: The other kings and establishes his rule over the whole island. He is said to have "established the so-called Molmutine Laws which are still famous today among the English". Dunvallo's sons, Belinus and Brennius , fight a civil war before being reconciled by their mother, and proceed to sack Rome . Victorious, Brennius remains in Italy, while Belinus returns to rule Britain. Numerous brief accounts of successive kings follow. These include Lud , who renames Trinovantum " Kaerlud " after himself; this later becomes corrupted to Lon don . Lud

3315-406: The others who followed on after the Incarnation. Yet the deeds of these men were such that they deserve to be praised for all time." He claims that he was given a source for this period by Archdeacon Walter of Oxford, who presented him with a "certain very ancient book written in the British language" from which he has translated his history. He also cites Gildas and Bede as sources. Then follows

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3380-550: The reigns of the descendants of Locrinus, including Bladud , who uses magic and even tries to fly, but dies in the process. Bladud's son Leir reigns for sixty years. He has no sons, so upon reaching old age he decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. To decide who should get the largest share, he asks his daughters how much they love him. Goneril and Regan give extravagant answers, but Cordelia answers simply and sincerely; angered, he gives Cordelia no land. Goneril and Regan are to share half

3445-436: The release of Guinevere after she had been abducted by Melvas, king of the "Summer Country", preventing war between him and Arthur. Gildas is best known for his polemic De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae , which recounts the sub-Roman history of Britain, and which is the only substantial source for history of this period written by a near-contemporary, although it is not intended to be an objective chronicle. The work

3510-529: The rest became monks. Gildas was sent as a child to the College of St. Illtud in Glamorgan , under the care of St Illtud , and was a companion of St Samson of Dol and St Paul Aurelian . His master Illtud loved him tenderly and taught him with special zeal. He was supposed to be educated in liberal arts and divine scripture, but elected to study only holy doctrine, and to forsake his noble birth in favour of

3575-497: The same time lauding heroes such as Ambrosius Aurelianus , whom he is the first to describe as a leader of the resistance to the Saxons . He mentions the victory at the Battle of Mons Badonicus , a feat attributed to King Arthur in later texts, though Gildas does not mention who led the battle. Part two consists of a condemnation of five British kings, Constantine , Aurelius Conanus , Vortiporius , Cuneglas , and Maelgwn . As it

3640-417: The same year as the Battle of Mount Badon . He was educated at a monastic centre, the College of St. Illtud, where he chose to forsake his royal heritage and embrace monasticism. He became a renowned teacher, converting many to Christianity and founding numerous churches and monasteries throughout Britain and Ireland. He is thought to have made a pilgrimage to Rome before emigrating to Brittany, where he took on

3705-478: The so-called Brut Tysilio , was proposed in 1917 by the archaeologist William Flinders Petrie to be the ancient British book that Geoffrey translated, although the Brut itself claims to have been translated from Latin by Walter of Oxford, based on his own earlier translation from Welsh to Latin. Geoffrey's work is greatly important because it brought the Welsh culture into British society and made it acceptable. It

3770-488: The text. The task of disentangling these variants and establishing Geoffrey's original text is long and complex, and the extent of the difficulties surrounding the text has been established only recently. The variant title Historia regum Britanniae was introduced in the Middle Ages, and this became the most common form in the modern period. A critical edition of the work published in 2007, however, demonstrated that

3835-460: The throne. Arthur returns and kills Mordred at the Battle of Camlann , but, mortally wounded, he is carried off to the isle of Avalon , and hands the kingdom to his cousin Constantine , son of Cador and Duke of Cornwall. The Saxons returned after Arthur's death, but would not end the line of British kings until the death of Cadwallader . Cadwallader is forced to flee Britain and requests

3900-431: The whole kingdom, ruling for thirty-three years. He is succeeded by his son Rivallo. A later descendant of Cunedagius, King Gorboduc , has two sons called Ferreux and Porrex. They quarrel and both are eventually killed, sparking a civil war. This leads to Britain being ruled by five kings, who keep attacking each other. Dunvallo Molmutius , the son of Cloten, the King of Cornwall, becomes pre-eminent. He eventually defeats

3965-441: The year at a dedicated "treasury" in the village. The body of Saint Gildas (minus the pieces incorporated into various reliquaries) is buried behind the altar in the church of Saint Gildas de Rhuys. The gold and silver covered relics of Saint Gildas include: The embroidered mitre supposedly worn by Gildas is also kept with these relics. Gildas is the patron saint of several churches and monasteries in Brittany, and his feast day

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4030-521: Was Brutus of Troy 's family who fled modern day Republic of Türkiye to the now country of Italy , then afterwards he sailed to the British Isles , specifically Totnes in England, where the Brutus Stone is found today. Then, Brutus divided the island of Great Britain between his three sons as leaders of respective countries. Locrinus was his eldest and was given England to rule, Albanactus

4095-573: Was buried there. The First Life of Gildas was written in the 9th century by an unnamed monk at the monastery which Gildas founded in Rhuys , Brittany. According to this tradition, Gildas is the son of Caunus , king of Alt Clud in the Hen Ogledd , the Brythonic -speaking region of northern Britain. He had four brothers; his brother Cuillum ascended to the throne on the death of his father, and

4160-645: Was given Scotland , and Camber , the third son became the ruler of Wales , all three makes up the countries of Britain ( Latin : Brittonum ), which is today is part of the United Kingdom . The books then follow the timeline of the Kings of Britain for the following millennium, until the Roman invasion of Britain and the subsequent founding of medieval kingdoms in Britain. The Historia itself begins with

4225-400: Was produced by William of Rennes . Material from Geoffrey was incorporated into a large variety of Anglo-Norman and Middle English prose compilations of historical material from the 13th century onward. Geoffrey was translated into a number of different Welsh prose versions by the end of the 13th century, collectively known as Brut y Brenhinedd . One variant of the Brut y Brenhinedd ,

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