History of the Kings (Peniarth 23C)

The History of the Kings (Peniarth 23C) is a medieval Welsh manuscript containing a version of Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain) by Geoffrey of Monmouth. This manuscript, designated as Peniarth 23C, is held within the collections of the National Library of Wales. It is significant for providing a Welsh language perspective on Geoffrey's influential, but largely fictional, account of British history, from its supposed founding by Brutus of Troy to the death of Cadwaladr. As a version of Historia Regum Britanniae, it includes legendary figures such as King Arthur, King Lear, and various other rulers and events that shaped Welsh and British historical and literary traditions. The manuscript is a valuable resource for scholars studying medieval Welsh literature, history, and the reception of Geoffrey of Monmouth's work. Its specific textual variations compared to other Welsh and Latin versions of the Historia Regum Britanniae make it a subject of ongoing scholarly investigation.