Willelmi Malmesbiriensis Monachi Gesta Regum Anglorum atque Historia Novella by William of Malmesbury - 1840

London: Sumptibus Societatis, 1840. First edition. Hardcover. Near fine. 2 volumes. 4,(2),388; xxvii,(2, 389-)815pp. Full contemporary calf, spines in six compartments intricately gilt; brown leather lettering labels, with red onlays for the volume numbers. The leather has been rubbed in a few places, notably on the upper board of volume two, else this is a fine set.

So far as we can tell, this is the first printing of the text of William's history of the Kings of England. It was edited by Thomas Duffus Hardy from the manuscript. Volume two has a Preface by Hardy outlining the main points of William's history; William's text, however, is in Latin. An extensive Index (in English) is at the end of volume two, and the Latin text has English shoulder notes.

William (1390-ca. 1143) was a monk at Malmesbury where, though he could have been abbot on several occasions, preferred to remain as librarian. His historical contributions to the contemporary reign of Stephen are invaluable; and his records of earlier Norman Kings, being based on direct knowledge and/or direct hearsay, are also important. There are two important references to Arthur, and in one, William asserts that Arthur's sepulcher was never found, evidence of his historicity.