The Description of WalesFront matterReading editionChapter navigation33 reading sectionsGo to chapterChoose a chapter…Front matterFIRST PREFACE TO STEPHEN LANGTON, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYSECOND PREFACE TO THE SAMEChapter I · OF THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF WALES, THE NATURE OF ITS SOIL, AND THE THREE REMAINING TRIBES OF BRITONSChapter II · OF THE ANCIENT DIVISION OF WALES INTO THREE PARTSChapter III · GENEALOGY OF THE PRINCES OF WALESChapter IV · HOW MANY CANTREDS, ROYAL PALACES, AND CATHEDRALS THERE ARE IN WALESChapter V · OF THE TWO MOUNTAINS FROM WHICH THE NOBLE RIVERS WHICH DIVIDE WALES SPRINGChapter VI · CONCERNING THE PLEASANTNESS AND FERTILITY OF WALESChapter VII · ORIGIN OF THE NAMES CAMBRIA AND WALESChapter VIII · CONCERNING THE NATURE, MANNERS, AND DRESS, THE BOLDNESS, AGILITY, AND COURAGE, OF THIS NATIONChapter IX · OF THEIR SOBER SUPPER AND FRUGALITYChapter X · OF THEIR HOSPITALITY AND LIBERALITYChapter XI · CONCERNING THEIR CUTTING OF THEIR HAIR, THEIR CARE OF THEIR TEETH, AND SHAVING OF THEIR BEARDChapter XII · OF THEIR QUICKNESS AND SHARPNESS OF UNDERSTANDINGChapter XIII · OF THEIR SYMPHONIES AND SONGSChapter XIV · THEIR WIT AND PLEASANTRYChapter XV · THEIR BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE IN SPEAKINGChapter XVI · CONCERNING THE SOOTHSAYERS OF THIS NATION, AND PERSONS AS IT WERE POSSESSEDChapter XVII · THEIR LOVE OF HIGH BIRTH AND ANCIENT GENEALOGYChapter XVIII · OF THE ANTIQUITY OF THEIR FAITH, THEIR LOVE OF CHRISTIANITY AND DEVOTIONBOOK IIChapter I · OF THE INCONSTANCY AND INSTABILITY OF THIS NATION, AND THEIR WANT OF REVERENCE FOR GOOD FAITH AND OATHSChapter II · THEIR LIVING BY PLUNDER, AND DISREGARD OF THE BONDS OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIPChapter III · OF THEIR DEFICIENCY IN BATTLE, AND BASE AND DISHONOURABLE FLIGHTChapter IV · THEIR AMBITIOUS SEIZURE OF LANDS, AND DISSENSIONS AMONG BROTHERSChapter V · THEIR GREAT EXACTION, AND WANT OF MODERATIONChapter VI · CONCERNING THE CRIME OF INCEST, AND THE ABUSE OF CHURCHES BY SUCCESSION AND PARTICIPATIONChapter VII · OF THEIR SINS, AND THE CONSEQUENT LOSS OF BRITAIN AND OF TROYChapter VIII · IN WHAT MANNER THIS NATION IS TO BE OVERCOMEChapter IX · IN WHAT MANNER WALES, WHEN CONQUERED, SHOULD BE GOVERNEDChapter X · IN WHAT MANNER THIS NATION MAY RESIST AND REVOLTFOOTNOTESBeginning of this editionNext chapter →FIRST PREFACE TO STEPHEN LANGTON, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYAll chapters and sections (33)Opening pagesFront matterOther sectionsFIRST PREFACE TO STEPHEN LANGTON, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYSECOND PREFACE TO THE SAMEBook 1 · Chapters123456789101112131415161718Books2Book 2 · Chapters12345678910Book 2 · Other sectionsFOOTNOTESTranscribed from the 1912 J. M. Dent edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org◇FIRST PREFACE TO STEPHEN LANGTON, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY →