# De principis instructione

De principis instructione (Instruction for a Ruler) 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 (the commentator on Virgil), Gildas, the Itinerarium Regis Ricardi and many other works.

## Contents

* 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
** The monarch's moderation
** The monarch's gentleness
** The monarch's shyness
** The monarch's chastity
** The monarch's patience
** The monarch's temperance
** The monarch's clemency
** The monarch's munificence
** The monarch's magnificence
** 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
** The monarch's prudence
** The monarch's foresight
** The monarch's modesty
** The monarch's boldness and bravery
** The monarch's glory and nobility
** The difference between a king and a tyrant
** Bloody deaths of tyrants
** Praiseworthy lives and deaths of good monarchs
** On the names of monarchs
** The monarch's religion and devotion: especially on the remarkable chastity of kings Louis VII and Louis VIII of France
** The monarch's good conduct and fitting end
* Second distinction
** The earlier years of king Henry II of England's reign and the vast increase in his territories
** Principal visitors to England during his reign
** His later crimes and the martyrdom of Thomas Becket
** The wheel of Henry II's fortune and his continual disputes with his sons
** Letter showing that Louis VII and Henry II agreed to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem together
** The two Cardinals who came to Normandy to enquire into the death of Thomas Becket
** The three monasteries promised in compensation for the failed pilgrimage, and how the promise was evaded
** God's punishment on Henry II and the death of Henry the Young King
** The titles of "Henry III" (the Young King)
** Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany's second estrangement from his father, and his sudden death
** The titles of Geoffrey and of John Lackland
** God's warnings to Henry II and how they were ignored
** The revelation of Robert of Estreby
** How God urged Henry II to change his ways, with warnings and punishments but also with kindnesses
** Letter detailing the agreement between Henry II and Philip II of France
** Letter showing that Henry II arranged peace between Philip II and Philip, Count of Flanders
** Letter showing that Henry II's testament was made at Waltham
** Privileges requested from Pope Alexander III, mainly concerning Wales
** Privileges concerning Ireland
** The Council of Cashel
** Titles of Henry II (copied from Gerald's work Topography of Ireland)
** Saladin's attack on the Kingdom of Jerusalem
** Pope Urban III's letter to England on this subject
** Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem's visit to England to ask king Henry II's help
** Pope Lucius III's letter of advice and warning to Henry II
** Gerald's own conversation with Henry II on this subject
** Henry II's reply, given at London, and the Patriarch's complete failure
** The Patriarch's prophetic warnings to Henry II
** A description and characterization of Henry II
** Notable contemporary events in England
** If the end is favourable the history is praiseworthy
* Third distinction
** The last meeting between Louis VII and Henry II, and Louis's prayer
** First territorial arrangements of Philip II of France
** Jerusalem meanwhile almost wholly conquered by the Muslims
** Pope Clement III's letter demanding the aid of the faithful
** Richard, Duke of Poitou takes the Cross, first among leaders north of the Alps, and sets a noble example
** On astrology
** Duke Richard sets out in spite of his father's obstruction
** Titles of Duke Richard
** Henry II's tithe intended to finance the Third Crusade
** Duke Richard estranged from his father and allied with Philip II of France
** Henry II's confusion and anger
** Why is Normandy less well defended than in the past? Question and answer
** King Henry II's groin trouble and his late and forced confession
** The dream of Richard de Riduariis and its fulfilment
** Frederick Barbarossa takes the Cross
** Gerald's dream about the Crusade
** The Emperor's bravery and his challenge to Saladin
** Saladin's reply
** The Emperor's journey through Hungary, crossing of the Danube, and journey through Bulgaria to Macedonia
** The messengers sent to Isaac II Angelos at first arrested, then released
** The deceptions of Kilij Arslan II of the Sultanate of Rûm
** The Emperor drowned in Lesser Armenia; the army reaches Antioch
** Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia leads them from Antioch to Tyre and Acre
** Henry II is driven from the burning city of Le Mans
** The French capture Tours and besiege Henry II at Azay-le-Rideau
** The death of Henry II
** The unfavourable family background of Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and of their children
** Events presaging Henry II's death
** Dreams presaging his death
** The dream of William II of England and the resemblance of his death to that of Richard I
** Some afterthoughts