The History of the Franks

Unlike later monarchies in Europe, which tended to only accept children born to a married couple as legitimate claimants to a throne, under the Merovingian dynasty sons born outside of marriage had as much right to the throne as sons born in wedlock. This tradition, coupled with the attempts to divide territories equally between sons, led to persistent conflicts over the succession and rivalries between relatives.

An example of a son and claimant born outside of a royal marriage was Theudebert, the son of Clovis and an unnamed concubine. Gundovald also had a claim that was serious enough he gained supporters as a reputed illegitimate son of Lothar I. The lack of primogeniture and a clear line of succession in the Merovingian dynasty thus created numerous claimants for the throne, leading to much violence and political instability as son competed against son for dominance. Merovingians thought of Gaul as a single political entity, but since it was one where multiple kings might rule independently, the lack of definitive, centralized authority created the conditions for constant warfare. Occasionally, one strong king might exercise a kind of seniority, as was the case with King Guntram in relation to his nephews Childebert II and Lothar II. This can be seen in how Paris was treated as neutral territory between the kings and in how one king could call a council of bishops from all the kingdoms in Gaul (508).

Conflicts broke out in both the generations of Merovingians that Gregory describes, the sons of Clovis I and then the sons and grandsons of Lothar I. Lothar I and Childebert I even had their young nephews murdered in order to claim more territory and remove potential future rivals (180-82). Gregory begins Book V by lamenting, "The Franks ought, indeed, to have been warned by the sad fate of their earlier kings, who, through their inability ever to agree with each other, were killed by their enemies" (253). There are numerous family conflicts that lead to wars and assassinations, such as wars between the kings and with potential claimants like Gundovald, and even, in the case of Fredegund and King Chilperic's sons Merovich and Clovis, a stepmother plotting against her stepsons.

After the era Gregory describes in History of the Franks, the conflicts between the Merovingians would only end when there was just one king left standing, Lothar II. In the History, Gregory exposes the flaws of this fractured system of power, reflecting the realities of a wider geographical and political splintering in much of western Europe in the early centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire.

While much of The History of the Franks is dedicated to describing politics, Gregory reveals much about the personal lives of the kings and queens who lived during his own lifetime, to an extent that was rare among historical writings of the era. Many episodes in his History provide glimpses of daily life in early medieval Europe, providing valuable historical insights into the culture of the time.

Gregory’s writing offers portraits of some of the political figures he discusses, revealing some of their personal idiosyncrasies and feelings. Even though Gregory is not fond of Queen Fredegund and King Chilperic, he describes their genuine grief over the deaths of their children (297-99), suggesting a more tender and vulnerable side to their otherwise harsh personalities. Gregory also provides an intimate look at King Guntram, whom he personally met during a diplomatic mission. Gregory discusses being invited to share a dinner with the king himself, whom Gregory describes by writing, "From time to time he laughed out loud, as he coined some witty phrase, thereby ensuring that we shared his happiness" (509).

Gregory also writes extensively about topics and events outside national politics. As a result, the text reveals much about the lives of people other than kings and bishops in 6th-century western Europe. The most salient element of life in those times is the everyday violence. Raids from enemy forces like the Huns (115-16) and the Bretons (292, 500) were a possible threat to people living both in towns and the countryside. During civil wars, soldiers would usually not hesitate to loot their own country (244-46, 272) or even during missions like escorting the princess Rigunth to Spain (379). Outside war and pillaging, people had to cope with outbreaks of disease (199-200) and fire, which could devastate whole cities (371, 465-67). This widespread danger and instability speaks to the hardships faced by many people during this period.

There are even glimpses into the daily lives of the peasants and average city-dwellers. At King Chilperic’s command, serfs were taken from their homes and separated from their families to accompany Rigunth to Spain, although Gregory’s outraged description does hint this was perhaps not all that common an action (377). Peasants and average townspeople are also seen acting of their own volition by seeking miraculous cures for illness (510), defying authorities by supporting royal pretenders or renegade religious figures (173, 585), and nominating or deposing their own bishops (104-05). There are even hints that early medieval Europe was more interconnected and diverse than some might expect, as Gregory describes how different populations in the city of Orleans, namely the Gallo-Romans, the “Syrians,” and the Jews, welcomed King Guntram in their own languages (433).

Gregory’s History thus provides an account of the political dynasty that shaped early Frankish history, while also serving as a primary source for aspects of daily life and culture that are sometimes neglected in other surviving sources of the time. In doing so, Gregory offers insights into life for people of various ranks and roles in his era.