The History And Topography Of Ireland (Penguin Classics)

A member of one of the leading Norman families who invaded Ireland, Gerald of Wales first visited in 1183 and later returned in Henry II’s entourage. His Topographia Hiberniae or The History and Topography of Ireland documents Ireland and its early history, as understood by a Norman in 1185. While the Irish have been infuriated by the text, they have also acknowledged it as a crucial information source about Ireland throughout the Middle Ages. Whether or not his history is entirely accurate, Gerald’s unique storytelling gift makes the book a pleasure to read.