Literature: Historia

1. Historia Britonium

   This clumsy put together Latin work is ascribed to Nennius, and it dates from, perhaps, the ninth century. The work purports to give an account of British history from the time of Julius Caesar to towards the end of the seventh century. It gives a mythical account of the origins of the British people and recounts the Roman occupation, the settlement of the Saxons and King Arthur's twelve victories.

   Although it contains fanciful material of doubtful historical significance, its real value lies in its preservation of material needed for the study of early Celtic literature in general and the Arthurian legends in particular.

   
   

2. Historia Meriadoci

   A Latin romance that tells of the adventures of Meriadoc, the foster son of Kay.

   
   

3. Historia Regum Britanniae
   History of the Kings of Britain

   The eleventh-century Latin work of Geoffrey of Monmouth that gives the first coherent narrative of the legends surrounding King Arthur as they ar still known today.