Geoffrey of Monmouth, Gaufridus Monemutensis, or Galfridus Arthurus (c. 1095– c. 1155) was a British chronicler, poet and bishop, possibly of Breton descent. His hugely influential but for the most part fictional History of the Kings of Britain popularised the legends of King Arthur, Merlin, Cymbeline and Brutus of Troy, and originated the story of King Lear.