The History and Topography of Ireland

The History and Topography of Ireland
Author: Gerald of Wales
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2006-06-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 0141915560

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 Itinerary Through Wales - Description of Wales

The Itinerary Through Wales - Description of Wales
Author: Giraldus Cambrensis
Publisher: Chandra Chakravarti Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2009-03
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 1444602845

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales

The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales
Author: Gerald of Wales
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2004-05-27
Genre: History
ISBN: 0141915552

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.

The Historical Works of Gervase of Canterbury

The Historical Works of Gervase of Canterbury
Author: Gervase of Canterbury
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 697
Release: 2012-11-15
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1108051596

This two-volume collection, published 1879-80, comprises the entire corpus of works by Gervase, monk of Christ Church, Canterbury.