London: J. Bowyer, H. Clements, and W. and J. Imays, 1718. First English language edition. A handsome copy in 18th century calf boards with an ornate gilt border, with a modern rebacking (endpaper replaced). All edges sprinkled red. Collates: [2 title], [16, subscribers], cxi, 401, [54 explication, index and errata]: complete, with the subscriber's list (including Isaac Newton) and a final errata leaf. Corners bumped with some loss to the leather and a previous owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, but internally a relatively clean and pleasing copy of a key Shakespeare sourcebook and one of the most popular and influential historical works of the Middle Ages.

Printed in Latin in 1508, centuries after Monmouth's death, Britanniae transformed a scribal manuscript into a publicly accessible and highly popular history. Credited with laying the foundation for the legends of King Arthur and his Round Table, the book also recorded the tales of monarchs such as King Lear. A favorite text among the Latin grammar schoolboys of Shakespeare's day, Monmouth's history served as an inspiration and a source for some of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Translated into English for the first time in 1718, Monmouth's British History became accessible to a wider array of readers. Thompson's addition of an extensive preface assessing the historical detail and level of accuracy in Monmouth helped shape future scholarship and interpretation of the work and reawakened interest in the Arthurian legends. Very Good (Item #8283)