ABSTRACT
The literary stage was set for Arthur's grand entrance, in the work of Geoffrey of Monmouth. The Historia requm Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth, devoted to the history of the Britons from their origins to the eighth century ad, appeared in 1136 and provided the real basis for the extensive treatment of King Arthur in later literature. For one thing, the age of King Arthur was considered to be quite ancient, since the chronology in the romances matched accounts given by early historians that situated it at the beginning of the sixth century. Interest in King Arthur naturally declined when the values of the Middle Ages fell into disrepute during the Classical period, although certain romances has always continued to be read. Moreover, his rediscovery at the end of the eighteenth century, and during the Romantic period, seems to have occurred later than that of the epic.
