Delphi Collected Works of Gerald of Wales

by Gerald of Wales, Delphi Classics (Editor), Thomas Forester (Translator)

The historian Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis) was one of the most learned writers of his time, whose detailed accounts of medieval England, Wales and Ireland remain valuable historical sources. He entered the service of King Henry II of England and conducted two journeys that led to the compilation of his important books on Ireland and Wales. His prolific writings provide a vivid window into the life and people of twelfth and early thirteenth century Britain. Delphi’s Medieval Library provides eReaders with rare and precious works of the Middle Ages, with noted English translations. This eBook presents Gerald’s collected works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)

* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Gerald’s life and works
* Features the collected works of Gerald in English translation
* Concise introductions to the texts
* Rare translations never digitised before, including Gerald’s autobiography
* Excellent formatting of the texts
* Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables
* Features three bonus biographies, including Williams’ seminal study of Gerald of Wales
* Ordering of texts into chronological order



The Translations
Topography of Ireland (1187) (tr. Thomas Forester)
Conquest of Ireland (1189) (tr. Thomas Forester)
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales (1191) (tr. Richard Colt Hoare)
The Description of Wales (1194) (tr. Richard Colt Hoare)
Concerning the Instruction of Princes (c. 1198) (tr. Joseph Stevenson)
The Autobiography of Giraldus Cambrensis (c. 1203) (tr. H. E. Butler)

The Biographies
Giraldus de Barri (1900) by Henry Richards Luard
Introduction to Gerald of Wales (1908) by W. Llewelyn Williams
Giraldus Cambrensis (1913) by James MacCaffre

1355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

Gerald of Wales (c. 1146 – c. 1223), also known as Gerallt Gymro in Welsh or Giraldus Cambrensis in Latin, archdeacon of Brecon, was a medieval clergyman and chronicler of his times. Born around 1146 at Manorbier Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales, he was of mixed Norman and Welsh blood, his name being Gerald de Barri.

Gerald's writings in good quality Latin, based on a thorough knowledge of Classical authors, reflect experiences gained on his travels as well as his great knowledge of the standard authorities and he was highly respected as a scholar in his time and afterwards. The noted scholar Edward Augustus Freeman said he was "the father of comparative philology," and in the preface to the last volume of Gerald's works in the Rolls Series, he calls him "one of the most learned men of a learned age," "the universal scholar." [5] His writings were prolific, running to about ten volumes in modern printed editions. Gerald was a man of strong opinions whose works are frequently polemical, including bitter attacks on his enemies, but also had an intense curiosity recording much valuable detail of everyday life in his ethnographic works.

It is generally agreed today that his most distinguished works are those dealing with Wales and Ireland, with his two books on his beloved Wales the most important: Itinerarium Cambriae and Descriptio Cambriae which tell us much about Welsh history and geography and reflect on the Cultural relationship between the Welsh and the English. Gerald, despite his desire for an independent Welsh Church and admiration for parts of Welsh life, was very loyal to Norman Marcher rule regarding the Normans as more civilised than the Welsh, a feeling reflected in his writings.