Chapter X: Of the Character, Customs, and Habits of this People
From 'The Topography of Ireland' by Sylvester Giraldus Cambrensis, 1187
Edited by Thomas Wright, 1863
... Likewise, in riding, they neither use saddles, nor boots, nor spurs,
but only carry a rod in their hand, having a crook at the upper end,
with which they both urge forward and guide their horses. They use
reins which serve the purpose both of a bridle and a, bit, and do not
prevent the horses from feeding, as they always live on grass. ...
Chapter XXVI: How numbers in the island are not baptized, and have never come to the knowledge of the faith
From 'The Topography of Ireland' by Sylvester Giraldus Cambrensis, 1187
Edited by Thomas Wright, 1863
... From this land not long afterwards they saw a small boat rowing towards them.
It was narrow and oblong, and made of wattled boughs, covered and sewn with the hides of beasts.
In it were two men, stark naked, except that they wore broad belts of the skin of some animal fastened round their waists.
They had long yellow hair, like the Irish, falling below the shoulders, and covering great part of their bodies.
The sailors, finding these men were from some part of Connaught, and spoke the Irish language, took them into the ship. ...
The translated text of Topographia Hibernica PDF
