Roman de Brut

The Roman de Brut by Wace is a key work that introduced Arthurian history to French and English speakers and shaped Brut traditions in verse and prose. It is the first complete Old French adaptation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin History of the Kings of Britain.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Wace's Roman de Brut, written in 1155, holds a significant place in the history of the Britons, serving as a gateway for both French and English speakers during that era. It is particularly noteworthy as the first complete Old French adaptation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin History of the Kings of Britain, which introduced Arthur as the king of the Britons for the first time. Wace's poem played a pivotal role in shaping Brut traditions, encompassing not only Arthurian tales but also various forms of verse and prose, historiography, and literature. His innovative concept of King Arthur's Round Table is a notable contribution to this literary legacy.

This volume presents an English prose translation of Wace's Roman de Brut, accompanied by an introduction, notes, a comprehensive bibliography, a summary of the text, a list of manuscripts, and indexes of personal and geographical names. It provides valuable insights into the historical and literary context of Wace's work and its enduring impact on the development of Brut traditions, including Arthurian narratives.

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 195 x 128 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871268