The History and Topography of Ireland

The History and Topography of Ireland PDF

Author: Gerald of Wales

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2006-06-29

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 0141915560

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Gerald of Wales was among the most dynamic and fascinating churchmen of the twelfth century. A member of one of the leading Norman families involved in the invasion of Ireland, he first visited there in 1183 and later returned in the entourage of Henry II. The resulting Topographia Hiberniae is an extraordinary account of his travels. Here he describes landscapes, fish, birds and animals; recounts the history of Ireland's rulers; and tells fantastical stories of magic wells and deadly whirlpools, strange creatures and evil spirits. Written from the point of view of an invader and reformer, this work has been rightly criticized for its portrait of a primitive land, yet it is also one of the most important sources for what is known of Ireland during the Middle Ages.

The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales

The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales PDF

Author: Gerald of Wales

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2004-05-27

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0141915552

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Scholar, churchman, diplomat and theologian, Gerald of Wales was one of the most fascinating figures of the Middle Ages and The Journey Through Wales describes his eventful tour of the country as a missionary in 1188. In a style reminiscent of a diary, Gerald records the day-to-day events of the mission, alongside lively accounts of local miracles, folklore and religious relics such as Saint Patrick's Horn, and eloquent descriptions of natural scenery that includes the rugged promontory of St David's and the vast snow-covered panoramas of Snowdonia. The landscape is evoked in further detail in The Description, which chronicles the everyday lives of the Welsh people with skill and affection. Witty and gently humorous throughout, these works provide a unique view into the medieval world.

Giraldi Cambrensis Opera

Giraldi Cambrensis Opera PDF

Author: Giraldus Cambrensis

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2012-11-15

Total Pages: 547

ISBN-13: 1108042988

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Medieval ecclesiastic Giraldus Cambrensis' moral treatise, criticising the Angevin Court, published in 1891 as part of the Rolls Series.