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Gerald of Wales: A Reassessment on the 750th Anniversary of His Death

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2016

Michael Richter
Michael Richter*
Affiliation:
University College, Dublin
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Extract

The life-span of Gerald of Wales embraces the reign of Stephen in England and the predominance of Owain Gwynedd in Wales at one end, and the early years of Henry III and Llywelyn ap Iorwerth at the other. He lived longer in England than ever he did in Wales. Yet it is his connection with Wales which accounts for much of his undiminished popularity throughout the past centuries. He is remembered as the man who wrote about Wales and who fought for a Welsh bishopric. The name by which he is known implies more than merely his origin; it stands for the deepest commitment of his later years, though not apparently his earlier life.

Type
Miscellany
Information
Traditio , Volume 29 , 1973 , pp. 379 - 390
Copyright
Copyright © Fordham University Press 

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References

1 A recent bibliography by E. Williams, A., ‘A Bibliography of Giraldus Cambrensis, c. 1147-c. 1223,’ National Library of Wales Journal (hereafter NLWJ) 12 (1961–62) 97–140, is fairly complete. It shows the small number of critical studies on this author. The best article for his career is still F. Powicke, M., ‘Gerald of Wales,’ Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 12 (1928) 389–410.Google Scholar

2 The study of Roman and canon law in Paris and Bologna by future English royal clerks has been emphasized by Rathbone, Eleanor, ‘Roman Law in the Anglo-Norman Realm,’ Studia Gratiana 11 (1967; Collectanea Stephan Kuttner I) 255–271.Google Scholar

3 Cambrensis, Giraldus, Opera I 48. Unless otherwise indicated, his works are quoted from the edition in the Rolls Series (London 1861–91) 8 vols.Google Scholar

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24 Opera III 222.Google Scholar

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29 F. Powicke, M., Stephen Langton (Oxford 1928) 132f. The present author would like to express his gratitude to Dr. Fryde, E. B., who encouraged him to write this synthesis.Google Scholar