The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales (Penguin Classics)

This is a fascinating little book which the translator has done an excellent job of putting in general context with other works, not only in the introduction and appendices but also in the extensive footnotes tracing quotations. Gerald was quite clearly a fan of Roman literature (Virgil, Lucan, Horace, etc) and he clearly saw the Welsh, as did Geoffrey of Monmouth, as a part of some ancient Trojan extension of culture.This book contains two of Gerald's writings. The first is The Journey Through Wales, which I found very easy to read, and which basically recounts a trip around Wales preaching and performing Mass. Each area is described in substantial detail and often historical episodes or accounts of relics of saints are interspersed in the text. Some of these accounts have clear pagan origins meaning that students of Celtic prehistory as well as of the Middle Ages may find much material in here to ponder. Of course separating Catholic from Pagan elements is not very easy, but I have no doubt it could be done. At any rate that synthesis is what made Medieval Wales into what it was.The second part is The Description of Wales, which describes the geography and people of that country. The first part of that book describes all that is noble. The second part describes all that is not. It ends with a prediction of how the English will probably eventually conquer Wales, and what can be done to keep up a resistance. I found this book to be quite a bit drier than The Journey Through Wales, but it could be of interest to many people nonetheless.Despite the dry portions of the second work, I decided to give this work 5 stars because the first work brings Wales to life so vividly and provides so much material for consideration that this book really should be on the top of the reading list for anyone interested in Wales and/or the middle ages. Highly recommended.

This book will appeal most to history buffs, especially Welsh ones or medievalists. Gerald of Wales was a 12th century historian, a time when the scientific method was not well-established, so some of his recounting is of legends as "history." I especially liked his reporting on the daily life of the people, such as their propensity to sing chorally, each person claiming his own part but in harmony with others---a style not at all typical in the European churches and monasteries of the time, but still in place today in Wales. "When they come together to make music, the Welsh sing their traditional songs, not in unison, as is done elsewhere, but in parts, in many modes and modulations. . . . you will hear as many different parts and voices as there are performers, all joining together in the end to produce a single organic harmony and melody in the soft sweetness of B-flat." Here is a quote to warm the heart of any Welshman: "The Welsh are very sharp and intelligent. . . . They are quicker-witted and more shrewd than any other Western people." Gerald was reporting at a time when Llywelyn the Great was building his power, so there is much reporting of the struggles amongst the various tribe leaders. Gerald's style is conversational, with the text edition in modern English for easy reading.

Researchers and historians need this book. Great seller, two thumbs up! :)

This narrative was written hundreds of years ago, but it flowed very well. Definably, the best record of early or mideval Wales from a first hand superb storyteller.

I had read about this book elsewhere and had not come across it myself. It is very good, and although somewhat dated in language, very interesting and well written. Of course, you must keep in mind the "prejudices" of medieval writers, and be aware going in of church and other politics.

The ebook does not have page numbers but rather "locations" that do not increment with any pattern and overall do not give any meaningful information about where you are in the book.

Great

Although the original language of these works was Latin, they should be on the curriculum in secondary education in Wales (as far as I can tell they aren't), as they are Wales's substitute for England's "Domesday Book". To date there are no Welsh versions, and, indeed, only one Welsh patriot of my acquaintance has ever heard of them! Gerald (correctly de Barri, but nobody called him that), born about 1145, and archdeacon of Brecon in the diocese of St. David's, was part of the Norman infiltration into Wales. His other surviving works are also in Latin. Nevertheless, he was born in Wales and was probably a Welsh speaker.These posthumous editions by cricket-loving Lewis Thorpe are exhaustive in contextualising the contents, not only historically, but also in identifying the often very brief classical allusions of the well-read author (one that Thorpe perhaps thought not worth commenting on is Gerald's assertion: "From time immemorial Wales has been divided into three more or less equal parts" ("Description..." book 1 chapter 2)). There are numerous evocative geographical descriptions, with accompanying anecdote, so much so, that the purpose of the "Journey....", to accompany the archbishop of Canterbury, Baldwin, in a fundraising tour for the 3rd Crusade in 1188, is more or less lost. I have the reprint of 2004, which has part of a 13th century English map on the cover. A later edition has a manuscript illumination of a scribe. Very nice, but not nearly as apposite.The interest of Gerald's Welsh portfolio goes far beyond the purely local. I bought it to use the "Journey...." as a yardstick for the likely limit of a day's itinerary at the same period in Spain, for which it has been endlessly useful. It has many such uses. Perhaps the most surprising element is Gerald's comments on music. The Welsh predilection for the harp might be expected, but the extent of its use at such an early date in an unrefined environment is a revelation. Even more so is Gerald's assertion that, whereas the English could only manage singing in two parts, the Welsh could do it in several. As a cathedral canon he would know what he was talking about, but does any multi-part music from the 12th century actually exist?As far as I know, Gerald's travelogue is unique, in pre-18th century literature, in, precisely, its wealth of topographical descriptions. Would that somebody had done the same for the Crusades. The "Journey..." and the "Description...." must also be of value to translators. Thorpe's texts are fluent and idiomatic, and devoid of anachronisms. However, there is no modern edition of the Latin originals, much less parallel text versions. If you want Gerald's actual words (and his Latin is very good), you have no option but the editions of 1868 which are the basis of Thorpe's translations. You won't find them on station bookstalls, not even at Llandudno Junction.

Important historical writings. This is a great historical reference/account IF your a historian. Could provide important clues to the activities / placement of other notable people of power (The Pope / Kings / Land Owners etc) within the same time frame. Provides perspective on how religion affected the general population and many tall tales of the unexplained. References to landscapes, clothing, homes, eating and sleeping arrangements in 12th century were interesting. So many anecdotal stories and ‘here say’ made the book a real slog for me. Gerald strikes me as shrewd and keeps those in power happy enough so that he can continue to go about his business pushing his own agendas and yet its all one big political dance because his opposition understand the potential implications of Gerald becoming bishop of St David’s and therefore offer him positions of power else where etc in an attempt to keep him at arms length.Book is heavily referenced (which again is good if your a researcher). 5 stars as a book for historians, 2-3 stars if your just a casual reader interested in historical stuff.Anyway, don’t take my plebeian word for it as I may have misinterpreted it. If your interested in 12th century Welsh nobles and lineage read it and form your own opinion. 👍🏻😀📚📔

Although the original language of these works was Latin, they should be on the curriculum in secondary education in Wales (as far as I can tell they aren’t), as they are Wales’s substitute for England’s “Domesday Book”. To date there are no Welsh versions, and, indeed, only one Welsh patriot of my acquaintance has ever heard of them! Gerald (correctly de Barri, but nobody called him that), born about 1145, and archdeacon of Brecon in the diocese of St. David’s, was part of the Norman infiltration into Wales. His other surviving works are also in Latin. Nevertheless, he was born in Wales and was probably a Welsh speaker.These posthumous editions by cricket-loving Lewis Thorpe are exhaustive in contextualising the contents, not only historically, but also in identifying the often very brief classical allusions of the well-read author (one that Thorpe perhaps thought not worth commenting on is Gerald’s assertion: “From time immemorial Wales has been divided into three more or less equal parts” (“Description…” book 1 chapter 2)). There are numerous evocative geographical descriptions, with accompanying anecdote, so much so, that the purpose of the “Journey….”, to accompany the archbishop of Canterbury, Baldwin, in a fundraising tour for the 3rd Crusade in 1188, is more or less lost. I have the reprint of 2004, which has part of a 13th century English map on the cover. A later edition has a manuscript illumination of a scribe. Very nice, but not nearly as apposite.The interest of Gerald’s Welsh portfolio goes far beyond the purely local. I bought it to use the “Journey….” as a yardstick for the likely limit of a day’s itinerary at the same period in Spain, for which it has been endlessly useful. Perhaps the most surprising element is Gerald’s comments on music. The Welsh predilection for the harp might be expected, but the extent of its use at such an early date in an unrefined environment is a revelation. Even more so is Gerald’s assertion that, whereas the English could only manage singing in two parts, the Welsh could do it in several. As a cathedral canon he would know what he was talking about, but does any multi-part music from the 12th century actually exist?As far as I know, Gerald’s travelogue is unique, in pre-18th century literature, in, precisely, its wealth of topographical descriptions. Would that somebody had done the same for the Crusades. The “Journey…” and the “Description….” must also be of value to translators. Thorpe’s texts are fluent and idiomatic, and devoid of anachronisms. However, there is no modern edition of the Latin originals, much less parallel text versions. If you want Gerald’s actual words (and his Latin is very good), you have no option but the editions of 1868 which are the basis of Thorpe’s translations. You won’t find them on station bookstalls, not even at Llandudno Junction.

Gerald of Wales lived during the reign of King Henry, Richard 1 and King John. He travelled the length and breadth of Wales trying to recruit individuals to take the cross and fight in the crusades. The book is a little stodgy in places with constant references to other versions and an endless list of appendices. The actual journey through Wales and descriptions of Wales are quite interesting.

Another useful account of the cultural mores of mediaeval Wales from the frankly duplicitous Anglo-Norman-Welsh Gerald de Barri - a classic example of 'hedging your bets' at a time when Wales was in conflict with the Angevin dynasty where the outcome was by no means certain. His plan for how to defeat the Welsh in battle is a disgrace and reminiscent of what we know of the cultural extinction of the native American peoples. But again, a rare and fascinating glimpse of how people of a different era behaved, dressed, worked and died. Mike Field

Looking forward to reading about mediaeval Anglesey an area I know well.