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The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature

The Development and Dissemination of the Arthurian Legend in Medieval Latin

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, written in Latin, is one of the earliest sources for many of the legends we now associate with King Arthur and his knights. What is little known, however, is that the tradition of Arthur stories in Latin extended well beyond Geoffrey. This collection offers essays that highlight different aspects of that broader Latin Arthurian tradition.


256 pages | 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 | © 2011

Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages

Medieval Studies


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Reviews

“It requires no more than a simple listing of contributors to demonstrate that the chapters of this book were in extraordinarily good hands. That is what we would expect of Echard—as both editor and contributor—and of all the others. The volume is a collection of admirable contributions, presented with authority and clarity, . . . [and] delivers what Echard promises: to ‘introduce readers to saints, monsters, knights, werewolves, and to many Arthurs.’ The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature will surely be the authoritative standard half a century from now.”

Norris J. Lacy, Pennsylvania State University | Speculum

Table of Contents

Preface
      Ad Putter
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature
      Siân Echard

Section One: The Seeds of History and Legend
1. The Chroniclers of Early Britain
      Nick Higham
2. Arthur in Early Saints’ Lives
      Andrew Breeze
Section Two: Geoffrey of Monmouth
3. Geoffrey of Monmouth
      Siân Echard
4. Geoffrey and the Prophetic Tradition
      Julia Crick
Section Three: Chronicles and Romances
5. Latin Historiography after Geoffrey of Monmouth
      Ad Putter
6. Glastonbury
      Edward Donald Kennedy
7. Arthurian Latin Romance
      Elizabeth Archibald
Section Four: After the Middle Ages
8. Arthur and the Antiquaries
      James P. Carley

Bibliography
Index of Manuscripts
General Index

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