Giraldus Cambrensis

Giraldus Cambrensis (jĭrăl`dəs kămbrĕn`sĭs), c.1146–1223, Norman-Welsh churchman and historian, also called Gerald of Wales and Gerald de Barri. He was associated (from 1184) with the king and court of England. His historical works include two descriptive works on Ireland (resulting from a visit) and Descriptio Cambriae [description of Wales]. They contain rare glimpses of medieval life and folklore. He also wrote autobiographical works, lives of churchmen, pastoral admonitions, Latin poetry, and treatises on the rights of the see of St. David's.

Bibliography

See his autobiography (ed. and tr. by H. E. Butler, 1937); biography by R. Bartlett (1982).

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Giraldus Cambrensis

 or Gerald of Wales

(born c. 1146, Manorbier Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales—died c. 1223) Historian and archdeacon of Brecknock, Wales (1175–1204). Educated in Paris, he returned to Wales and struggled unsuccessfully to become bishop of St. David's, hoping to make it independent of Canterbury. He advised Henry II of England and Henry's son John, especially on Welsh and Irish issues. His accounts of life in the late 12th century have proved valuable to historians.