Geoffrey of Monmouth quotes

Geoffrey of Monmouth was a medieval cleric and chronicler, best known for his influential work "The History of the Kings of Britain." This book introduced legendary figures such as King Arthur and Merlin to a wider audience. He played a crucial role in shaping British myth and medieval literature. Here are 8 of his quotes:

My father," said she, "is there any daughter that can love her father more than duty requires? In my opinion, whoever pretends to it, must disguise her real sentiments under the veil of flattery. I have always loved you as a father, nor do I yet depart from my purposed duty; and if you insist to have something more extorted from me, hear now the greatness of my affection, which I always bear you, and take this for a short answer to all your questions; look how much you have, so much is your value, and so much do I love you.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

After this, having invited over to him all persons whatsoever that were famous for valour in foreign nations, he began to augment the number of his domestics, and introduced such politeness into his court, as people of the remotest countries thought worthy of their imitation. So that there was not a nobleman who thought himself of any consideration, unless his clothes and arms were made in the same fashion as those of Arthur's knights.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

She approached the king, and making a low courtesy, said to him, "Lauerd king wacht heil!" The king, at the sight of the lady's face, was on a sudden both surprised and inflamed with her beauty; and calling on his interpreter, asked him what she said, and what answer he should make her. "She called you, 'Lord king,'" said the interpreter, "and offered to drink your health. Your answer to her must be, Drinc heil!"

Geoffrey of Monmouth

Goddess of woods, tremendous in the chase To mountain boars, and all the savage race! Wide o'er the ethereal walks extends thy sway, And o'er the infernal mansions void of day! Look upon us on earth! unfold our fate, And say what region is our destined seat? Where shall we next thy lasting temples raise? And choirs of virgins celebrate thy praise?

Geoffrey of Monmouth

Brutus! there lies beyond the Gallic bounds An island which the western sea surrounds, By giants once possessed; now few remain To bar thy entrance, or obstruct thy reign. To reach that happy shore thy sails employ; There fate decrees to raise a second Troy, And found an empire in thy royal line, Which time shall ne'er destroy, nor bounds confine.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

The knights in [Britain] that were famous for feats of chivalry, wore their clothes and arms all of the same colour and fashion: and the women also no less celebrated for their wit, wore all the same kind of apparel; and esteemed none worthy of their love, but such as had given a proof of their valour in three several battles. Thus was the valour of the men an encouragement for the women's chastity, and the love of the women a spur to the soldier's bravery.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

With deep sighs and tears, he burst forth into the following complaint: – "O irreversible decrees of the Fates, that never swerve from your stated course! why did you ever advance me to an unstable felicity, since the punishment of lost happiness is greater than the sense of present misery?"

Geoffrey of Monmouth