Geoffrey of Monmouth

Role: translator and author · First appears: Book I 1–3

Life events

Geoffrey undertook translating Walter's ancient British history into Latin.(Book I 1–3)
- With: Walter
- “At his request, therefore, though I had not made fine language my study, by collecting florid expressions from other authors, yet contented with my own homely style, I undertook the translation of that book into Latin.”
Geoffrey translated Merlin's prophecies and sent them to Alexander.(Book VII 1–2)
- With: Alexander
- “I translated these prophecies, and sent them to him with the following letter.”

with Walter (Walter offered Geoffrey the source book for his translation.) “Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, a man of great eloquence, and learned in foreign histories, offered me a very ancient book in the British tongue”
patron: Robert earl of Gloucester (Robert is addressed as the adviser and prospective patron of the work.) “To you, therefore, Robert earl of Gloucester, this work humbly sues for the favour of being so corrected by your advice”

patron: Alexander (Alexander commissioned and supported Geoffrey's translation.) “There was not any person, either among the clergy or laity, that was attended with such a train of knights and noblemen, whom his settled piety and great munificence engaged in his service. Out of a desire, therefore, to gratify him, I translated these prophecies, and sent them to him with the following letter.”

with Walter (Walter is presented as Geoffrey's historical source.) “Geoffrey of Monmouth shall be silent; but will, nevertheless, though in a mean style, briefly relate what he found in the British book above-mentioned, and heard from that most learned historian, Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, concerning the wars”

Extracted from the original text of The History of the Kings of Britain. Made with Rho MD.