Barri

Barri, or Barry, Girald de (better known as Giraldus Cambrensis), was born at Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, in 1146. his father being a noble Norman and his mother a Welsh princess. He was educated in Paris, and in 1172 took holy orders, becoming legate of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Wales. He displayed in this capacity rather too much zeal, and when the bishopric of St. David's fell vacant Henry II. refused to confirm his election. After a second visit to France he became tutor to Prince John, whom he accompanied to Ireland, collecting the materials for his Topography of Ireland and Conquest of Ireland. He next was engaged in preaching the crusade, and in 1189 accompanied Henry II. to France. Richard I., on departing for Palestine, appointed him co-regent of England: In 1198 the See of St. David's again became vacant, and he was elected, but the Pope supported a rival claimant, and six years were spent in vainly asserting his rights at Rome and in England. Finally he retired from all ecclesiastical office and lived at St. David's till 1220 in literary retirement, refusing the bishopric when it was offered to him. He wrote, besides the works mentioned above, an Itinerary and Description of Wales, Ecclesiae Speculum, a censure on monkish morals, De Rebus a se Gestis, a journal throwing light on his own character, and many smaller tracts. He was vain, headstrong, and prejudiced, but possessed learning, independence, power of observation, and purity of mind.