The Description Of Wales

Geraldus Cambrensis was a Cambro-Norman monk and historian. As a royal clerk to the king and two archbishops, he traveled frequently and wrote extensively. He studied and taught in France and paid multiple visits to Rome, where he met the Pope. He was nominated for numerous bishoprics but declined in order to become Bishop of St Davids, but despite widespread support, he was unsuccessful. His final position was Archdeacon of Brecon, after which he retired to pursue academic studies for the rest of his life. Much of his writing remains. Gerald was born in Manorbier Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was of mixed Norman and Welsh descent. Gerald was the youngest son of William Fitz Odo de Barry, the common ancestor of Ireland's De Barry line, a retainer of Arnulf de Montgomery and Gerald de Windsor, and one of Wales' most powerful Anglo-Norman barons. His mother was Angharad FitzGerald, the daughter of Gerald FitzWalter of Windsor, Constable of Pembroke Castle, and his wife Nest ferch Rhys, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, South Wales' final King.