Gerald of Wales (c. 1145 / 1223)

Giraldus Cambrensis

 

Born in Manorbier (Maenor Pyr), Pembrokeshire, three parts Norman and one part Welsh, Gerald was one of the most colourful and well-known churchmen of his time. Throughout his life he aspired to become Bishop of St David's and Archbishop of Wales. He turned down four other bishoprics and remained Archdeacon of Brecon in mid Wales rather than sacrifice his dream. Gerald was the author of  some 22 works which include primary sources for the 12^th century history of Ireland and Wales. In 1184 he became one of Henry II’s chaplains and was sent with Prince John to Ireland. As a result of his visit he wrote the Topography of Ireland which includes an account of the Anglo-Norman conquest of the island in 1171 and a well-known description of the character of Henry II and his sons. The Journey through Wales  is an account of Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury’s mission of 1188, on which he was accompanied by Gerald, and The Description of Wales is a picture of the life and customs of the Welsh, even including details of how they cut their hair, shaved their beards and cleaned their teeth! One of his last works, written c.1216 after the death of King John, was De Instructione Principis which includes an account of the death of Henry II and some acid comments on the Angevin dynasty.

 

Bibliography

- Dimock, J.F., 1868. Giraldi Cambrensi Opera (London, Rolls Series 6)
- Thorpe, L., 1978. Gerald of Wales: The Journey through Wales and The Description of Wales (London, Penguin Classics)