Storytelling and Literature

1. Storytelling and Literature Geoffrey Monmouth’s History of Kings of Britain September 7, 2018

2. History of the Kings of Britain • Geoffrey of Monmouth undertook to write a national history of Britain from its origin through the seventh century, some nineteen centuries of history by his reckoning. • Arranged in twelve books, on the pattern of Vergil’s Aeneid (29-19 b.c.e.), Geoffrey’s account traces the reigns of nearly a hundred British kings, beginning with the nation’s mythical founder Brutus.

3. Britons against the Saxons • The original Trojans, Celts, and other tribes living in the land before the Roman conquest in the first century, as well as some Roman settlers, are all collectively labeled Britons. • In Geoffrey's account, they are arrayed against the Saxons, a collective name for the Germanic tribes that began invading the land in the fifth century. 

4. Brutus’s odyssey to Britain • The country was founded by a descendant of the Trojan princes who dispersed after the fall of Troy. • Brutus, the mythic founder of Britain, is a great-grandson of the Trojan prince Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome. • Brutus conquered a third of Greece • But decided to embark for Britain after a prophecy of Diana directed them to do so. • Defeated the giants who dominated the land and founded a kingdom.

5. Vortigern • Vortigern, an ambitious Briton, betrayed King Constantine and his son Constans. With the help of Saxon allies, whom he invited to England as allies against the Picts and other rebellious Britons. • Vortigernseized the throne for himself. • Constantine’s two younger sons, Aurelius Ambrosius andUtherPendragon, fled to Europe.

6. “Prophecy of Merlin” and the two remaining sons of Constantine • the “Prophecy of Merlin” is a troubling anticipation of chaos. • The two remaining sons of Constantine, who returned from exile, defeated Vortigern, and restored their line with Aurelius Ambrosius as king. • UtherPendragonled armies against enemies who were still in rebellion and became king after his brother was treacherously slain. • Through the trickery of Merlin, Utherbegat Arthur with Igerne, wife of Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, and, after Gorlois died in battle, married Igerne. 

7. The exploits of Arthur • Arthur became king while still a boy, united his nation, and gathered chiefs and kings from outlying and remote areas. • Arthur ventured abroad to conquerGaul and Norway, and led an English army to the continent in battle with the Romans. • Lucius, the Roman emperor, was killed. • Arthur moved his army to the gates of Rome, before being called back to Britain by a treasonous rebellion by his nephew Mordred.  

8. Arthur’s final battle with Mordred • Mordred raised an immense army of 800,000, but Arthur’s war-hardened veterans prevailed against the huge force. • A final great battle led to the deaths of Arthur and of Mordred. • The queen entered a convent, and the Briton crown went to Constantine, son of the duke of Cornwall. 

9. The Saxons gained dominance • Following Arthur’s death, other kings, notably Constantine, Cadwallo, and Cadwallader, continued the struggle against the Saxons. • In 689, King Cadwallader, the last of the Briton line, died in exile in Rome. • The Saxons gained dominance over the kingdom by returning and resettling before the native Britons. • The narrative ends with prophecies that suggest the Britons will someday reclaim their land.