Read The Classics: History of the Kings of Britain February 8, 2009

The Multnomah County Library invites you to take part in a new book series, where you can read some of the best all-time classics and discuss them under the leadership of Dr. Michael A. Faletra, professor of medieval literature at Reed College. Participation is free, but registration is required. You can register online at http://www.multcolib.org/events/classics/middle.html
A limited number of books will be available free of charge for those who pre-register.

By anyone's standards, Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1136) was one of the most popular and widely–read books throughout Europe during the High Middle Ages. Though written originally in Latin, its influence was felt in locales as remote from England as Sicily and Poland. Geoffrey's book covers the nearly 2000 year–long history of the ancient Britons, the Celtic people who had populated the island before the Anglo–Saxon invasions of the fifth and sixth centuries; these Britons were the ancestors of the modern Welsh and Cornish. As Geoffrey narrates their legendary history, from the founding of Britain by exiles from Troy through the glorious reign of King Arthur and up to the fall of native rule in the face of encroaching Saxon forces, we are introduced to many familiar characters, some of them for the first time: King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, the prophet and magician Merlin, the bold Sir Gawain, the tragic King Lear, the wicked traitor Vortigern, and even the original Old King Cole!

In this discussion, we will think about how we can evaluate Geoffrey's achievement. Is Geoffrey of Monmouth one of the most creative storytellers of the twelfth century and one of Britain's most important historians — or is he merely "the father of lies?" Join us for a jolly romp through ancient British past as we examine the work of England's liveliest historian.

Official Website: http://www.multcolib.org/events/classics/middle.html