Gerald of Wales

Gerald of Wales (Latin: Giraldus Cambrensis; Welsh: Gerallt Gymro, c. 1146 – c. 1223) was a priest, Archdeacon of Brecon, and writer, of mixed Welsh and Norman descent.

He went on a trip to Ireland and later accompanied the Archbishop of Canterbury on a trip all round Wales, recruiting men to join the Third Crusade.

He campaigned for Wales to have its own Archbishop (this was not achieved until the 20th century) and was several times unsuccessful in attempting to become Bishop of St David's.

His journeys enabled hime to write books about Ireland and Wales. In his 'Topographica Hibernica (Topography of Ireland, 1187) he describes with disgust the practice of same-sex marriages amongst the Irish.