SOURCE: Richter, Michael. “Gerald of Wales: A Reassessment on the 750th Anniversary of His Death.” Traditio 29 (1973): 379-90.

In the following essay, Richter examines Gerald's life and the political and religious influence of his writings.

The life-span of Gerald of Wales embraces the reign of Stephen in England and the predominance of Owain Gwynedd in Wales at one end, and the early years of Henry III and Llywelyn ap Iorwerth at the other. He lived longer in England than ever he did in Wales. Yet it is his connection with Wales which accounts for much of his undiminished popularity throughout the past centuries. He is remembered as the man who wrote about Wales and who fought for a Welsh bishopric. The name by which he is known implies more than merely his origin; it stands for the deepest commitment of his later years, though not apparently his earlier life...