Early Britain & Arthurian Sources Worksheet for 15-Year-Olds — Gildas, Geoffrey of Monmouth & the Mabinogion

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Instructions

Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Use the provided keywords and your knowledge of early British history and literature to complete the tasks.

Part 1: Match the Makers of Myth and History

Match the name or text in Column A with its correct description in Column B. Write the letter of the correct description in the space provided.

Column A
  1. ____ Geoffrey of Monmouth
  2. ____ Gildas
  3. ____ Mabinogion
  4. ____ On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain
 Column B
  • A. A collection of medieval Welsh prose tales, drawing on pre-Christian mythology and folklore, which contains some of the earliest prose stories in British literature.
  • B. A 6th-century monk whose fiery sermon is one of the only surviving contemporary accounts of the period of Saxon invasion in post-Roman Britain.
  • C. The title of the sermon written by Gildas, which condemned the actions of British leaders and lamented the state of the nation.
  • D. A 12th-century cleric whose influential book, History of the Kings of Britain, popularized the legend of King Arthur and created a grand, heroic past for the nation.

Part 2: The Making of a Legend

Fill in the blanks using the words from the word bank below. Not all words will be used, and some may be used more than once.

Word Bank: Gildas, History of the Kings of Britain, Mabinogion, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Early Britain, King Arthur

The story of 1. ______________________ is a foundational myth of Great Britain, but its origins are murky. In the chaotic period of 2. ______________________, a monk named 3. ______________________ wrote a blistering critique of the island's leaders, providing a rare, if biased, contemporary glimpse into the era. Hundreds of years later, 4. ______________________ dramatically reimagined this past in his epic work, 5. ______________________. He transformed scattered legends into a sweeping narrative of a powerful king, giving birth to the "Dream of a United Britain." This heroic version of the story, along with other traditional Welsh tales found in texts like the 6. ______________________, cemented a legend that continues to capture the imagination today.

Part 3: Critical Thinking

Answer the following questions in 3-4 complete sentences, using what you have learned about these figures and texts.

1. Gildas and Geoffrey of Monmouth both wrote about Britain's past, but for very different reasons. How did the purpose of Gildas's sermon, On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain, differ from the purpose of Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain? How would this affect the "truthfulness" of their accounts?

2. The idea of "King Arthur and the Dream of a United Britain" refers to the legend of a single, powerful leader uniting warring factions against a common enemy. Why do you think this specific "dream" or story has remained so powerful and popular for over a thousand years?



Answer Key

Part 1: Match the Makers of Myth and History

  1. D. Geoffrey of Monmouth
  2. B. Gildas
  3. A. Mabinogion
  4. C. On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain

Part 2: The Making of a Legend

  1. King Arthur
  2. Early Britain
  3. Gildas
  4. Geoffrey of Monmouth
  5. History of the Kings of Britain
  6. Mabinogion

Part 3: Critical Thinking

Note: Student answers may vary but should contain the following key ideas.

1. Gildas's purpose was religious and critical; he was writing a sermon to condemn the sins of contemporary Britons, whom he blamed for the Saxon invasions. Geoffrey's purpose was nationalistic and literary; he was creating a grand, heroic origin story for Britain to build national pride. Gildas's account is considered more historically accurate for its time period, despite its bias, while Geoffrey's work is largely pseudo-history, blending folklore and invention to create a compelling narrative rather than a factual record.

2. Answers should touch upon the idea that the story of a unifying hero provides hope during times of division, conflict, or uncertainty. The "dream" of a golden age under a just and strong leader is an appealing and timeless concept. It can serve as a source of national identity and inspiration, representing ideals like justice, chivalry, and the strength that comes from unity, which are themes that resonate across different eras.

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