History of the Franks

by Gregory of Tours

Publisher:

Columbia University Press

, 1916

Overview

The History of the Franks is Gregory of Tours’ most notable work. This book details the history of the Franks beginning with the creation of Adam and Eve, quickly moving to the Christianization of Gaul, followed by the life of St. Martin of Tours, the conversion of the Franks, and the conquest of Gaul under Clovis. Gregory of Tours next recounts the history of the Frankish Kings, and his own family genealogy.

The latter chapters of this work are a personal narrative, as Gregory of Tours was well-connected and intimately knew four Frankish kings—Sigebert I, Chilperic I, Guntram, and Childebert II. The History of the Franks is valuable as both a history of kings, queens, and saints, as well as a detailed account of the cultures and customs of Merovingian Gaul.

With the Logos edition, this resource is fully integrated with the rest of your digital library. Events in this book are also tagged with Timeline events, activate the Timeline filter to see events from the History of the Franks within the larger context of church history.

Key Features

• An eye-witness account of sixth-century life in Merovingian Gaul
• An informative preface written by editor James T. Shotwell
• Selections from Gregory of Tours’ Eight Books of Miracles

Product Details

• Title: History of the Franks
• Author: Gregory of Tours
• Editor: James T. Shotwell
• Translator: Ernest Brehaut
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication Date: 1916
• Pages: 326

About Gregory of Tours

Saint Gregory of Tours (November 30, c. 538 – November 17, 594) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather. He wrote in form of late Vulgar Latin; however, it has been argued that this was a deliberate ploy to ensure his works would reach a wide audience. He is the main contemporary source for Merovingian history.