Gregory of Tours

Gregory of Tours was a prominent figure in the 6th century, who witnessed and recorded the events of the Merovingian kingdom of the Franks. He was born into a wealthy and influential family, with many relatives who were bishops and saints. He received his education from his uncle St. Gallus, Bishop of Clermont, and his successor St. Avitus. He was ordained as a deacon by Avitus and later became the Bishop of Tours in 573, after the death of St. Euphronius. He held this position until his death in 594. As a bishop, Gregory was involved in many ecclesiastical and political affairs. He attended several councils and synods, where he defended the rights and privileges of the church against the secular authorities. He also supported the cults of various saints, especially St. Martin of Tours, whose tomb he visited frequently and whose miracles he recorded. He had a close relationship with some of the Merovingian kings, such as Sigebert I, Chilperic I, and Guntram, but he also criticized their moral failings and violent deeds. He was often caught in the middle of the conflicts and intrigues that plagued the Frankish realm. He suffered from ill health and persecution from his enemies, but he also enjoyed moments of peace and joy. ¹² Gregory is best known for his historical writings, which are invaluable sources for the history and culture of his time. His main work is the Decem Libri Historiarum (Ten Books of Histories), also known as the Historia Francorum (History of the Franks). It covers the history of the world from the creation to his own days, with a special focus on the Franks and their kings. It is based on various sources, such as oral traditions, documents, chronicles, hagiographies, and his own personal observations. It is not a systematic or objective history, but rather a collection of anecdotes, legends, miracles, prophecies, moral judgments, and theological reflections. It reveals Gregory's worldview, which was shaped by his Christian faith, his Roman heritage, and his Frankish environment. It also shows his literary style, which was influenced by classical authors such as Sallust, Livy, Orosius, and Sulpicius Severus. ¹ Gregory also wrote other works, such as the Liber de miraculis (Book of Miracles), which consists of eight books that describe the miracles performed by various saints; the Liber de virtutibus sancti Martini (Book of the Virtues of St. Martin), which is a continuation of Sulpicius Severus' Life of St. Martin; the Liber in gloria martyrum (Book on the Glory of Martyrs), which recounts the stories of martyrs from Gaul and elsewhere; the Liber in gloria confessorum (Book on the Glory of Confessors), which praises the lives and miracles of confessors from Gaul and elsewhere; and the Vita patrum (Life of the Fathers), which narrates the lives of some ascetics from Gaul. ¹³ Gregory of Tours is regarded as one of the most important historians and writers of the early Middle Ages. He is also venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is November 17. ¹²