What were the aims of Gregory of Tours 'History of the Franks' - Essay Example

? AIMS OF GREGORY OF TOURS IN THE HISTORY OF FRANKS by of the of the of the School October 7, 2012 Born of Florentius and Armentaria in Auvergne on November 30 538-39, Gregory of Tours was a descendant of a distinguished Gallo-Roman family. He was named Georgius Florentius at birth; he adopted his maternal grandfather’s name, Gregorius later in life when he became bishop of Tours. As a youth, Gregory lived with his uncles Nicetius and Archdeacon Avitus who later became bishop of Lyons and bishop of Clermont respectively. His education was in church schools and primarily limited to a study of the scripture. In fact, he was educated by his own uncle Gallus, who was the Bishop of Clermont. 1Platts points out that “Gregory distinguished himself so much by his learning and virtue, that in 573, he was chosen bishop of Tours”. Gregory had already been ordained a deacon by 565. He was chosen to succeed Eufronius, his mother’s cousin as the nineteenth bishop of tours in 573. After being chosen bishop of Tours, Gregory went to Rome where he visited the tombs of various Apostles and cultivated friendship with Gregory the Great. Gregory’s life being a bishop was not easy. Despite being the site of the fourth-century bishop of Tours, it was also a territory accustomed to conflicts between the kings of Frank such as Sigibert and Chilperic. In 585, Gregory was opposed by a coalition formed by a section of the Touraine clergy, the enemies of the Austrasian family and the count of the city. During this time Touraine was being disputed by Merovingian princes. Despite being a person who respected authority, Gregory got involved in these political quarrels as he attempted to defend the rights of Saint Martin. However, he had more quite relations with successors of Chilperic. Although he could not maintain his authority in a province divided among a number of different kingdoms, he did new things in Tours and prolonged Saint Martin’s authority. Gregory died in Tours on November 17 in 593 or 594. By the time of his death, he had made many accomplishments among them being the work of rebuilding Tours cathedral as well as improving its collection of relic materials. There have been various debates in the past on Gregory’s aim for writing the history of the Franks. To begin with, the title ‘history of the Franks’ gives an impression that his work is primarily based on history. Anyone who reads the title will believe that the principle behind the work is the history of the Merovingian and Frankish kingdoms, their kings and successors. In fact, the topics range from attempts by Clovis to eliminate Frankish kings who were his rivals. He also gives accounts of natural disasters that characterised his times like the cataclysmic floods. However, Gregory’s intention was not to write a political history but rather to intertwine both ecclesiastical and secular history in order to pass his message. The word history is contrary to what Gregory wanted to convey in his work the history of the Franks. But for Gregory and other ancient writers such as Herodotus the word Historiae is used to refer to an account of witnessed events rather than events heard of. In fact, six among the ten books Gregory wrote revolve around his own times. In book one, Gregory goes back to the creation of man, some events in the Old Testament and ends with the death of bishop Martin of Tours. In book two he discusses the disputes that took place between early Frankish kings and ends with Clovis’s death. In book three, he discusses the fortunes of Clovis’s sons and from the fourth book; he discusses his early life, family and events during his times. Gregory wrote the history of the Franks; the lives of the saints among other works. He remains one of the most gifted and creative writers of the middle ages. He is also one of the most prominent early medieval sacred biographers. Through his work, the history of the Franks Gregory reveals the political turmoil’s of the sixth century France, the daily life, personalities and social customs of the people. His interpretations of the events he recorded were meant to provide people with Christian instruction and also to teach them a number of lessons. When writing the history of the Franks, the bishop of Tours had various aims. During his reign as bishop of Tours, Gregory was immensely popular among the people of France. 2Due to this, he was able to stay in office under different rulers and to influence politics as well. Merovingian conflicts had earlier divided sixth-century France into three regions that were fighting among themselves. Through his book ‘Historia Francorum’ meaning the history of the Franks; Gregory discloses the political distress of the sixth-century as well as the daily life, social customs and personalities of the time. The ten volumes of the history of the Franks altogether provide exceptional information on the history of early France. Although Gregory’s Latin grammar was at times poor, his work is no less important; this is because he was accurate with historical detail. In the past, Gregory was portrayed as an artless armature for randomly writing about events. Most commentators viewed him as a reflection of the Merovingian society which had the characteristics of being barbaric, chaotic and disorderly. 3Hughes-Warrington points out that “some historians have assumed that Gregory’s work provides an accurate picture of Merovingian society.” His work whose contents seemed to ramble all over deserved this kind of justification. Recently, however a close evaluation of his works revealed that he was an aesthetic craftsman who was very accurate and keen with interpreting the events he recorded. Today, it is clearly understood that he wrote his work with an aim of providing people with Christian instruction. The goods and bad that happened during the Merovingian era display a contrast between a good king and a bad king which is all judged by their treatment of the needy and their relationship with the church. Through this people can be able to make decisions and act according to what is right and wrong. The consequences of either decision can be seen in the story of the Merovingian people. Gregory uses normal features of the world to teach a number of lessons. Although it is assumed that historians are not supposed to believe in the existence of creatures like the dragons or illnesses such as jaundice, Gregory uses them give valuable clues. 4Hughes-Warrington notes that “in dismissing such aspects of his work, we throw away a valuable clue.” Through this, Gregory meant to show and proof that God did not leave after creating the world. On the contrary, He is in many times and many ways still with us. He is solely responsible and in control of the changes in seasons, constantly working through his saints to heal illnesses however small or big and striking down the wicked for their actions. In fact Gregory does not give any differentiation between small or big relics but rather talks about them as powerful and great things and happenings. 5“In documenting miracles and disasters of his time, Gregory reminds us that God is not an absent landlord.” As he gives accounts of various great deeds, Gregory however favours events that took place during his time. The reason behind this could be the fact that they are easier to proof and he believed history discusses what has been witnessed. Gregory uses people who experienced miracles and misfortunes during his times to tell the history of the Franks. During his times, there were many divine things that happened and he witnessed them. He therefore uses them to give Christian instruction solely because he believes experience through first account of things is more persuasive than experience gained from reading or hearing about things. Although it was not his primary aim, Gregory’s work also serves the purpose of keeping memory and nourishing readers with knowledge and information about his times. In his work, the history of the Franks, Gregory began his writing from the time of creation to his time. He details various events that took place during his time. Today, his work is a source that has been relied upon by numerous people giving knowledge about kingdoms and kings that existed and other major accounts of the happenings. What still remains un clear to date is the question of why Gregory decided to communicate through words rather than other methods such as a collection of relics or better still, by word of mouth. However, it is clear from this paper that Gregory had various aims when he wrote the history of the Franks. After so much confusion and misinterpretations, today, his work is well understood. References George of Tours (1974), The History of the Franks, Penguin Books Limited, New York. Halsall, P. 1997, Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory of Tours (539-594): History of the Franks: Books I-X. Available from: . [8 October 2012]. Hamm, Jean (2010), Term Paper Resource Guide to Medieval History, Greenwood Publishing Group, California. Hughes-Warrington, Marnie (2008), Fifty Key Thinkers on History, Routledge, Oxon. Platts, John (1825), A new universal biography, containing interesting accounts, Sherwood, Jones and Co., London. St. Gregory of Tours Biography, 2012. Available from: . [8 October 2012]. The Franks, 2001.Available from: < http://history-world.org/franks.htm>. [8 October 2012]. Read More