Gregory of Tours

Gregory of Tours (Latin: 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".

His most notable work is the Decem Libri Historiarum ('Ten Books of Histories'), also known as the Historia Francorum ('History of the Franks'). It is considered a primary source for the study of Merovingian history. Gregory is also known for documenting accounts of religious figures, notably Martin of Tours.

Quotes

• Brule ce que tu as adoré, et adore ce que tu a brulé!
  • Burn what you love, and love what you burned!
  • Historia Francorum, quoting the advice of Archbishop Remy when he baptised King Clovis (AD 496) — "Brule ce que tu as adoré, et adore ... (x1967-61)", Princeton University Art Museum. Variant: Adore ce que tu as brûlé, brûlé ce que tu as adoré. — C. Samaran, "Mots Historiques de la Vieille France", Revue Des Deux Mondes (1952), p. 127