PREFACE
In 1927 Professor Chambers wrote:
Critical work on the manuscripts <of Geoffrey of Monmouth> is still in its infancy, and in these circumstances speculation as to the original form of the Historia and any revision which it may have undergone can only be tentative.

LIBER PRIMUS
1. Cum mecum multa et de multis saepius animo revolvens, in historiam regum Britanniae inciderum, in mirum contuli, quod infra mentionem quam de eis Gildas et Beda luculento tractatu fecerant, nihil de tegibus qui ante Incarnationem Christi inhabitaverunt, nihil etiam de arturo ceterisque compluribus qui post Incarnationem successerunt repperissem, cum et gesta eorum digna aeternae laudis constarent et a multis populis quasi inscripta iocunde et memoriter praedic<ar>entur.