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Why did John Milton write History of Britain?

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Engraved portrait of John Milton by Jacob Houbraken, showing Milton with shoulder-length hair, a lace collar, and period clothing, facing forward in an oval frame. — John Milton John Milton, engraving by Jacob Houbraken, 1741.

John Milton wrote his History of Britain (1670) primarily because he initially intended to compose an epic centered on British history and the legendary King Arthur.1

To prepare for this literary project, Milton conducted extensive research into early accounts of Britain, analyzing records from the Anglo-Saxon era through the works of historians such as Bede, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Raphael Holinshed, and William Camden. Throughout his research, he critically evaluated these sources for their veracity.1

Although the work remained incomplete at the time of its publication—ending with the Norman Conquest—it reflects the deep erudition and historical interest he cultivated from a young age, even as his writing process was later interrupted by his service in the government of Oliver Cromwell.1