The History and Topography of IrelandGerald 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. |
Contents
Maps | 1 |
The Second Part Chapters 3383 | 34 |
The Third Part Chapters 84122 | 80 |
Notes on the Text | 118 |
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Common terms and phrases
archbishop arrival that namely Ballyshannon Bartholanus beast birds bishop Brigid brought called Cambrensis Eversus castle church clergy cleric colour coming Connacht conquered Conquest of Ireland cross death of Turgesius Dimock divine Dublin East evil Faith falcon farthest Fedlimidius fire fish Flood flows Gaidelus Gerald de Windsor GERALD OF WALES Giraldus Cambrensis Gurmundus hand happened Heberus Herimon Hibernienses History of Ireland holy immediately inhabitants Ireland and Britain Ireland crow Irish island Kildare killed kinds kingdom kings reigned lake land Leinster Limerick living Lord Lough Lough Derg Matthew Kelly Meath miraculously monks mountains nature Nemedus Nennius nests never nevertheless night northern Norwegians Parthalón Patrick Philip of Worcester poisonous reptiles prelates priest remarkable thing rivers rivers of Ireland Rothericus Saint Kevin scarcely Scotia Shannon Slanius Solinus stone tide Topography of Ireland Turgesius Ulster Wales Waterford West whole woman wonderful wood