A History of the Franks

by Gregory of Tours

• ISBN13: 9780140442953
• ISBN10: 0140442952
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1976-02-28
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• More Book Details

Summary

Written following the collapse of Rome's secular control over western Europe, the History of Gregory (c. AD 539-594) is a fascinating exploration of the events that shaped sixth-century France. This volume contains all ten books from the work, the last seven of which provide an in-depth description of Gregory's own era, in which he played an important role as Bishop of Tours. With skill and eloquence, Gregory brings the age vividly to life, as he relates the exploits of missionaries, martyrs, kings and queens - including the quarrelling sons of Lothar I, and the ruthless Queen Fredegund, third wife of Chilperic. Portraying an age of staggering cruelty and rapid change, this is a powerful depiction of the turbulent progression of faith at a time of political and social chaos.

Author Biography

Gregory of Tours (538-94), French historian, bishop of Tours (from 573), was born in Clermont-Ferrand. He had a distinguished and successful career as bishop. Gregory wrote accounts of miracles of the saints, an astronomical work to determine movable feasts, and a commentary on the Psalms. His masterpiece, Historia Francorum [history of the Franks], in 10 books, is a universal history; its account of contemporary events is of great importance.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	7	(1)
I Gregory of Tours	7	(9)
Genealogical table: the family of Gregory of Tours	11	(5)
II The Times in which Gregory lived	16	(6)
Genealogical table: the Merovingians, down to Dagobert	18	(4)
III Gregory's Writings	22	(1)
IV The History of the Franks	23	(31)
1. Intention and shape	23	(4)
2. Historical and literary debts	27	(4)
3. Personal knowledge	31	(2)
4. Credibility	33	(3)
5. Other historians of the period	36	(2)
6. Language	38	(3)
7. Style	41	(5)
8. Humour and irony	46	(4)
9. Nature notes	50	(3)
10. The manuscripts	53	(1)
11. Earlier translations	54	(1)
12. This translation	54	(1)
V Gregory down the Centuries	54	(2)
VI Short Bibliography	56	(3)
ABBREVIATIONS USED FOR THE BOOKS WRITTEN BY GREGORY OF TOURS	59	(1)
MAP OF GAUL	60	(3)
PREFACE	63	(2)
BOOK I	65	(36)
BOOK II	101	(58)
BOOK III	159	(36)
BOOK IV	195	(56)
BOOK V	251	(74)
BOOK VI	325	(58)
BOOK VII	383	(48)
BOOK VIII	431	(48)
BOOK IX	479	(62)
BOOK X	541	(64)
INDEX	605