The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales

Description

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.Translated by Lewis Thorpe

Introduction:

I. The Life of Gerald of Wales
Geneaological table: the family of Gerald of Wales

II. The Journey Through Wales
1. The purpose of the journey and its achievements
2. Gerald’s role
3. The route followed
4. The three versions
5. “…cum notabilibus suis”
6. The editions
7. The earlier translation
8. This translation

III. The Description of Wales
1. The shape and subject-matter
2. The three versions
3. The changes made in the second and third versions
4. The editions
5. The earlier translation
6. This translation

IV. Gerald the Historian

V. Gerald the Artist

VI. Short Bibliography

VII. Acknowledgments

VIII. List of Gerald’s Extant Writings

Maps:
1. Gerald’s Journey Through Wales
2. Wales in 1188

THE JOURNEY THROUGH WALES
First Preface
Second Preface
List of Chapter-Headings: Book I; Book II

THE DESCRIPTION OF WALES
First Preface
Second Preface
List of Chapter-Headings: Book I; Book II

Appendix I: The additions made in Versions II and III of The Journey Through Wales
Appendix II: The additions made in Versions II and III of The Description of Wales
Appendix III: Gerald of Wales and King Arthur
Index

Gerald of Wales was born c.1145 in Pembrokeshire. He died in obscurity, possibly in Lincoln in 1223. He wrote seventeen books, all of them in Latin, and was well-connected to the Royal Family of his day. Lewis Thorpe was Professor of French at Nottingham University from 1958 to 1977. He was President of the British Branch of the International Arthurian Society. He died in 1977.GB

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