Historia Regum

The Historia Regum ("History of the Kings") is a historical compilation attributed to Symeon of Durham, which presents material going from the death of Bede until 1129. It survives only in one manuscript compiled in Yorkshire in the mid-to-late 12th century, though the material is earlier. It is an often-used source for medieval English and Northumbrian history.

Sources

It is a "historical compilation" or a "historical collection" rather than a chronicle or anything else. Antonia Gransden and David Rollason list its sources as follows:

Much of the compiled material up until 887, i.e. the first five sections, was itself probably derived from an earlier compilation by Byrhtferth of Ramsey, and probably some of it was compiled before the end of the 10th century. The material covering 1119—1129 does appear to be original, and this part may have been authored by Symeon.

Provenance

The text survives in one manuscript, Corpus Christi College Cambridge, MS 139, folios 51v-129v, written down in the late 12th century. Even though this manuscript names Symeon as the author in an incipit and an explicit, Symeon's authorship of the work is nevertheless doubted or thought to be spurious by modern historians. Besides not being an original historical work, reasons of internal evidence make it highly unlikely that the Historia Regum was written by the same author as the Libellus de Exordio, and the latter is thought by its latest editor to have been authored by Symeon.

Historia Regum Britanniae

Historia Regum Britanniae (English: The History of the Kings of Britain) is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It chronicles 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 credited uncritically 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, a valuable piece of medieval literature, which contains the earliest known version of the story of King Lear and his three daughters, and helped popularize the legend of King Arthur.

Contents

Dedication

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 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 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.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey of Monmouth (Latin: Galfridus Monemutensis, Galfridus Arturus, Welsh: Gruffudd ap Arthur, Sieffre o Fynwy) (c. 1100 – c. 1155) was a Welsh cleric and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography and the popularity of tales of King Arthur. He is best known for his chronicle Historia Regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain"), which was widely popular in its day and was credited, uncritically, well into the 16th century, being translated into various other languages from its original Latin, but which is now considered historically unreliable.

Biography

Geoffrey was probably born some time between 1100 and 1110 in Wales or the Welsh Marches. He must have reached the age of majority by 1129, when he is recorded as witnessing a charter.

In his Historia, Geoffrey refers to himself as Galfridus Monemutensis, "Geoffrey of Monmouth", which indicates a significant connection to Monmouth, Wales, and which may refer to his birthplace. Geoffrey's works attest to some acquaintance with the place-names of the region. To contemporaries, Geoffrey was known as Galfridus Artur(us) or variants thereof. The "Arthur" in these versions of his name may indicate the name of his father, or a nickname based on Geoffrey's scholarly interests.

Historia

Historia may refer to:

See also

Robin Hulbert

Robin James Hulbert (born 14 March 1980) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder for Conference North side Barrow. He played 297 games in a 17-year career in the Football League and Conference.

Signing professional forms with Swindon Town in 1996, he spent four years with the club, also spending a brief time on loan at Newcastle United in 1998. Joining Bristol City in 2000, he moved on to Telford United in 2003, following a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. He transferred to Port Vale in 2004, and stayed with the club for the next four injury-blighted years. Spending the 2008–09 season with Darlington, he moved on to Barrow in 2009. He stayed for three seasons, and again struggled with injuries. He had a brief spell with Worcester City, before making a brief return to Barrow in August 2013.

Playing career

Born in Plymouth, Hulbert started his career with Everton. In August 1996, he was signed by First Division Swindon Town on the agreement that Swindon would pay the "Toffees" £25,000 for every 30 games Hulbert played. He made his senior debut for the club on 25 September 1996, making a substitute appearance in a 3–1 win over Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup. He made his league debut on 18 October 1997, in a 3–1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Scott Leitch on 37 minutes. His next appearance was in a 1–1 draw with Port Vale at The County Ground on 29 August 1998, as he won his first start. He went on to make a further seventeen appearances in 1998–99. After thirteen games in 1999–2000, he was sold to Bristol City in March 2000 for a £25,000 fee.