De principis instructione


De principis instructione is a Latin work by Gerald of Wales. It is divided into three "Distinctions". The first contains moral precepts and reflections; the second and third deal with the history of the later 12th century, with a focus on the character and acts of king Henry II of England and especially his disputes with the kings of France, Louis VII and Philip II and with his own four sons, Henry the Young King, Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany, Richard, count of Poitou and John Lackland.
Gerald was learned in classical, Biblical and medieval Latin literature and in this work cites the Bible, Servius, Gildas, the Itinerarium Regis Ricardi and many other works.

Contents

  1. First distinction. Topics include Britain as a land fertile in tyrants; the Picts and Scots; old English laws about shipwrecks; the recent discovery of King Arthur's tomb in the isle of Avalon; King Edward the Confessor; the virtues of King Louis VII of France
  2. #The monarch's moderation
  3. #The monarch's gentleness
  4. #The monarch's shyness
  5. #The monarch's chastity
  6. #The monarch's patience
  7. #The monarch's temperance
  8. #The monarch's clemency
  9. #The monarch's munificence
  10. #The monarch's magnificence
  11. #The monarch's justice: especially on the admirable punishment of crimes in France, where a first offence is punished with public whipping, if once repeated with mutilation or branding, if twice repeated with blinding or hanging
  12. #The monarch's prudence
  13. #The monarch's foresight
  14. #The monarch's modesty
  15. #The monarch's boldness and bravery
  16. #The monarch's glory and nobility
  17. #The difference between a king and a tyrant
  18. #Bloody deaths of tyrants
  19. #Praiseworthy lives and deaths of good monarchs
  20. #On the names of monarchs
  21. #The monarch's religion and devotion: especially on the remarkable chastity of kings Louis VII and Louis VIII of France
  22. #The monarch's good conduct and fitting end
  23. Second distinction
  24. #The earlier years of king Henry II of England's reign and the vast increase in his territories
  25. #Principal visitors to England during his reign
  26. #His later crimes and the martyrdom of Thomas Becket
  27. #The wheel of Henry II's fortune and his continual disputes with his sons
  28. #Letter showing that Louis VII and Henry II agreed to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem together
  29. #The two Cardinals who came to Normandy to enquire into the death of Thomas Becket
  30. #The three monasteries promised in compensation for the failed pilgrimage, and how the promise was evaded
  31. #God's punishment on Henry II and the death of Henry the Young King
  32. #The titles of "Henry III"
  33. #Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany's second estrangement from his father, and his sudden death
  34. #The titles of Geoffrey and of John Lackland
  35. #God's warnings to Henry II and how they were ignored
  36. #The revelation of Robert of Estreby
  37. #How God urged Henry II to change his ways, with warnings and punishments but also with kindnesses
  38. #Letter detailing the agreement between Henry II and Philip II of France
  39. #Letter showing that Henry II arranged peace between Philip II and Philip, Count of Flanders
  40. #Letter showing that Henry II's testament was made at Waltham
  41. #Privileges requested from Pope Alexander III, mainly concerning Wales
  42. #Privileges concerning Ireland
  43. #The Council of Cashel
  44. #Titles of Henry II
  45. #Saladin's attack on the Kingdom of Jerusalem
  46. #Pope Urban III's letter to England on this subject
  47. #Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem's visit to England to ask king Henry II's help
  48. #Pope Lucius III's letter of advice and warning to Henry II
  49. #Gerald's own conversation with Henry II on this subject
  50. #Henry II's reply, given at London, and the Patriarch's complete failure
  51. #The Patriarch's prophetic warnings to Henry II
  52. #A description and characterization of Henry II
  53. #Notable contemporary events in England
  54. #If the end is favourable the history is praiseworthy
  55. Third distinction
  56. #The last meeting between Louis VII and Henry II, and Louis's prayer
  57. #First territorial arrangements of Philip II of France
  58. #Jerusalem meanwhile almost wholly conquered by the Muslims
  59. #Pope Clement III's letter demanding the aid of the faithful
  60. #Richard, Duke of Poitou takes the Cross, first among leaders north of the Alps, and sets a noble example
  61. #On astrology
  62. #Duke Richard sets out in spite of his father's obstruction
  63. #Titles of Duke Richard
  64. #Henry II's tithe intended to finance the Third Crusade
  65. #Duke Richard estranged from his father and allied with Philip II of France
  66. #Henry II's confusion and anger
  67. #Why is Normandy less well defended than in the past? Question and answer
  68. #King Henry II's groin trouble and his late and forced confession
  69. #The dream of Richard de Riduariis and its fulfilment
  70. #Frederick Barbarossa takes the Cross
  71. #Gerald's dream about the Crusade
  72. #The Emperor's bravery and his challenge to Saladin
  73. #Saladin's reply
  74. #The Emperor's journey through Hungary, crossing of the Danube, and journey through Bulgaria to Macedonia
  75. #The messengers sent to Isaac II Angelos at first arrested, then released
  76. #The deceptions of Kilij Arslan II of the Sultanate of Rûm
  77. #The Emperor drowned in Lesser Armenia; the army reaches Antioch
  78. #Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia leads them from Antioch to Tyre and Acre
  79. #Henry II is driven from the burning city of Le Mans
  80. #The French capture Tours and besiege Henry II at Azay-le-Rideau
  81. #The death of Henry II
  82. #The unfavourable family background of Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and of their children
  83. #Events presaging Henry II's death
  84. #Dreams presaging his death
  85. #The dream of William II of England and the resemblance of his death to that of Richard I
  86. #Some afterthoughts