Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours (born Georgius Florentius; 30 November c. 538 – 17 November 594 AD) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours during the Merovingian period and is known as the "father of French history." He was a prelate in the Merovingian kingdom, encompassing Gaul's historic region.
Saint Gregory of Tours | |
|---|---|
St. Gregory of Tours, 19th century statue by Jean Marcellin, in the Louvre in Paris, France | |
| Bishop of Tours | |
| Born | 30 November c. 538 Auvergne, Austrasia |
| Died | 17 November 593 or 594 Tours, Kingdom of Orleans |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 17 November |
Gregory's most notable work is the Decem Libri Historiarum (Ten Books of Histories), also known as the Historia Francorum (History of the Franks). Decem Libri Historiarum is considered a primary source for the study of Merovingian history and chronicles the accounts of the Franks during the period. Gregory is also known for documenting accounts of religious figures, notably that of Martin of Tours. It is alleged that the Tomb of St. Martin became a Christian pilgrimage site in the 6th century due in part to Gregory's writings.