Gerald of Wales
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I write historical fiction, so I pore over sources from the times I write about, but I am wary about the accuracy of the information and the writer's motivation. One famous source from the 12th century is Princess Nest’s grandson, Gerald of Wales, also known as Gerald Cambrensis. Gerald’s views on Wales illustrate that he was a man caught between two worlds, embodying both Welsh and Norman identities in a time of significant tension and cultural flux.
Gerald was born into a family with ties to powerful Welsh and Norman dynasties, so his heritage positioned him as a unique witness to the Anglo-Norman attempts to subjugate Wales. However, his conflicting loyalties and feelings about his Welsh heritage would shape his life, ambitions, and writings, presenting him as a figure emblematic of the complex relationship between the Welsh and their conquerors.
Gerald’s writings on the Welsh reflect his mixed views, sometimes admiring, sometimes critical. His notable work Description of Wales reflects a profound respect for Welsh resilience, an essential aspect of their culture that he admired. His observations of Wales as "uncivilised" stem from the prevailing view in the 12th century, which often cast non-Norman societies as "barbaric" and needing improvement. At the same time, his familial ties to the Welsh made him recognise the value and uniqueness of Welsh customs.
Growing up in a world where Welsh and Norman intermarriages and alliances were becoming more common, Gerald struggled to reconcile his loyalties. This internal conflict was particularly evident in his ambition to secure the bishopric of St. Davids, a position he deeply desired but was denied because of his Welsh heritage. He was highly qualified and supported by Welsh factions, yet his Norman counterparts opposed him, fearing a Welsh bishop would champion the independence of the Welsh church, which England sought to control. His detailed history of the Welsh church and its conflicts with Canterbury shows Gerald’s belief in the spiritual and cultural significance of Wales and reflects his complex loyalty to his homeland.
His heritage and belief in religious reform influenced Gerald’s perception of the Welsh. He sought to elevate the Welsh church and its people through a refined spiritual approach, critiquing English clergy who neglected their posts in Wales while expressing admiration for Welsh piety and hospitality. At the same time, he did not spare the Welsh from his ethnographic lens, occasionally generalizing their culture to fit into the era's view of "barbarism" in need of progress.
Despite these conflicts, Gerald often identified himself as "Cambrensis," a title that reflects a pride in his Welsh roots. He saw himself as part of the Welsh identity, even using terms like “our British race” when describing their resilience against conquest. His use of “our” when writing about Welsh heritage reveals a sense of belonging and perhaps even solidarity with the Welsh struggle despite his role in the Anglo-Norman court. Gerald’s complex relationship with his heritage was ultimately reflected in his life choices; he returned to Wales after his education abroad, dedicated himself to religious reforms, and actively documented Welsh culture and landscapes.
Gerald of Wales is a chronicler and a critic of his people. While he did not shy away from judging Welsh society by the standards of his Norman peers, he was also deeply invested in documenting and, at times, defending Welsh identity. His life and works underscore the tensions of hybrid identity, showing how one man’s struggle to honour both his Welsh and Norman sides offers insights into the larger dynamics between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh in the 12th century.