xxxxxThe History of the Kings of Britain, completed by Geoffrey of Monmouth around 1139, was really no more than a collection of fanciful stories from the Bible, classical writers or Celtic tradition. However, it did introduce the Arthurian legend into Western literature, until then confined to folklore. At this stage, Arthur is the leader of a European empire, but there is already mention of Avalon, Guinevere and Merlin. It was left to later poets, such as Layamon, Chrétien de Troyes and Sir Thomas Mallory, to weave their romantic tales around the English king and his band of knights.
xxxxxIt was while he was a canon at 
Oxford that Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his Historia regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), probably completing the work in about 1139. It was of very little historical value, being largely a fanciful account based on stories from the Bible, classical writers, and, above all, Celtic tradition. It proved a popular book, however, if only for the fact that it introduced the Arthurian legend -
xxxxxIn this early version, King Arthur is the leader of a European empire, and it is his conquests which provide the climax to the "history". It was left to later poets, such as 
Layamon, Chrétien de Troyes and, of course, Sir Thomas Mallory, to develop the cycle of legends and romantic tales which came to surround the English king and his court. However, there is mention of Avalon, the island where Arthur was taken to have his wounds healed, and a reference to Guinevere (Guanhumara) as a "noble Roman". And Merlin, the sorcerer and counsellor, appears in the work, as well as being the subject of a poem by Geoffrey entitled Life of Merlin (Vita Merlini), written around the year 1150.
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GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH c1100 -
Acknowledgement
Geoffrey of Monmouth: detail from the Geoffrey Tapestry at Monmouth Priory, Gwent, Wales.
