WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY

Born around 1095 in southern England. He primarily based his work on Bede but also on the Saxon Chronicle, Nennius and Gildas.

"William does not add anything new to the definitive story" (Fletcher 1966: 40)

However, there are some interesting points made. He portrays Arthur as "warlike" and mentions his worthiness in the Battle of Badon. His main contributions are the characterisations of Vortigern and Arthur.

HENRY OF HUNTINGDON

Born in 1084 in Cambridgeshire or Huntingdonshire. Was responsible for Historia Anglorum. Henry takes material from Nennius, Bede, the Saxon Chronicle and, in many cases, is known to have used their exact words but put them together so as to appear to be his own.

In short, both William and Henry used past material and made it their won. William’s account is generally held as the more reliable of the two.