Gregory of Tours
by Ana Christian
Instructor, Leslie Donovan
Fall 1999

Georgius Florentius was born in 538 or 539 in modern-day Clermont-Ferraud, France. He later adopted the name Gregorius when he became the bishop of Tours in 573 (de Nie 3, Levandoski 1). Gregory was born into a wealthy, but pious Gallo-Roman family. When his father died in 548 or 549, he was sent to live with his paternal uncle, Gallus, Bishop of Clermont (de Nie 5). In Clermont, he began his education under the supervision of the archdeacon Avitus (517-594), who later became Bishop of Clermont. Gregory’s studies covered many Christian works, but failed to train him in correct grammatical usage of classical Latin.

His clerical studies began after a serious illness was cured by a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Illidius (de Nie 5). Little is known about Gregory’s exact actions from 551 to 573, but it is known that he served in the clergy of Bishop Nicetius of Lyon (552-573) at some point during this period. It is then that he most likely began studying and collecting information for his _Histories_ (de Nie 6). He was ordained a deacon in 563 and made a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Martin in Tours (Microsoft Encarta 1). After overcoming another serious illness, he became the protege of Euphronius, Bishop of Tours. He made the acquaintance of many affluent people, and with their help, eventually succeeded Euphronius as Bishop of Tours in 573 (de Nie 6, Encarta 1, Levandoski 1). His consecration, however, was hurried because the city of Tours was the main focal point in the struggle between Sigebert I and his brother, Chilperic.

As bishop of Tours, Gregory was drawn into the turmoil surrounding the city. It was his job to maintain some sort of order and remain on good terms with both kings (de Nie 7, Levandoski 1). Even with the troubles facing him, Gregory managed to protect and increase the Church’s wealth, and use it to build new churches and chapels. He also bought food for prisoners, freed debtors, and created hostels to help house the desolate (de Nie 8, Levandoski 2). Gregory made Tours one of the most important cities in the Frankish kingdom. He tried to make sure that justice was served, and he would often defend people he felt were wrongly accused (de Nie 7). He also firmly believed in miracles and the actions of saints. He tried to instill an equal appreciation of them into his subjects, by presenting all of the saints as patrons for families in need of protection from injustice (de Nie 7).

Gregory was influential as a writer as well. He describes his complete works himself, _Decem libros historiarum, septem miraculorum, unum de vita patrum scripsi; in psalteri; tractatu librum unum commentatas sum; decursibus etiam ecclesiasticis unum librum condidi_(_I have written ten books of "historia," seven of "miracles," one on the loves of the Fathers, a commentary on one book on the psalter, and one book on ecclesiastical liturgy_) (Levandoski 3). As a hagiographer, he focused mostly on the miracles of St. Martin. He wrote four volumes concerning these, finishing the first in 575, the second in 581, the third around 587, and the fourth was never finished (Levandoski 3).

Gregory’s most important work is the _Historia Francorum_. This ten-volume history of the Frankish people is the only surviving piece of literature that gives a complete history of that time period (Cantor 111, de Nie 1). Gregory wrote _Historia_ intending it to be read by others, as he suggests when he writes, _I have written this work to keep alive the memory of those dead and gone, and to bring them to the notice of future generations_ (Thorpe preface). The volumes are divided into time periods, starting with the Creation and ending in the year 591 (de Nie 9, Levandoski 3-4). Gregory wrote events as he saw them with his own viewpoint, often making an impression. It is still debated whether he is a true historian due to the many discrepancies in his writings, but it is evident that he provides valuable insight about the history of the Franks.

Bibliography

Cantor, Norman F. The Civilization of the Middle Ages. 4th ed. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993.

de Nie, Giselle. Views From a Many Windowed Tower. Amsterdam: Rodopi B.V., 1987.

Leclerco, H.: St. Gregory of Tours.Catholic Encyclopedia Trans. Judy Levandoski , New Advent, Inc. 1997.

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. Gregory of Tours: From The History of the Franks.Microsoft Corporation: 1993-1998.

Medieval Sourcebook. Gregory of Tours: On Tours.1996.

Tours, Gregory of. The History of the Franks. Trans. Lewis Thorpe. Penguin Books

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