Medieval Historians: Craft of Chronicling Past Events
During the medieval era, the history written down was often more of gossip and opinion than factual evidence. Historians of the time, many of whom were clergymen due to their education and access to literature, relied heavily on personal knowledge and references to earlier works. However, their primary goal was to portray events in a manner that aligned with their dominant messages, leading to a selective and often biased portrayal of history.
Role of Medieval Historians
Medieval historians were typically not professional historians in the modern sense. They often wrote chronicles, which were essentially dry, event-by-event enumerations of past occurrences. These historians, despite their primary role, operated under the influence of patrons and the religious inclinations of society. For example, Fredegund's portrayal in the works of Gregory of Tours and Fortunatus starkly contrasted, reflecting the historians' biases and their motivations.
Notable Medieval Chroniclers
St. Gildas: Around 500-570, St. Gildas wrote De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain), offering his perspective on the decline of Britain. This work reflects the limited historical sources available at the time and the biased view often accepted uncritically.
Procopius: A Byzantine historian from around 500-565, Procopius wrote Pro Placitis (Secret History), which, although an outsider's account, revealed a critical view of Emperor Justinian, a stark departure from the more restrained official histories.
Saint Gregory of Tours: From 538-594, he authored Historia Francorum (History of the Franks). This work, while detailed in the Franks' royal family records, often omitted documentation of ordinary life, focusing more on religious and noble events.
Significance of Chronicles
The collection of medieval chroniclers and their works is extensive, as documented below. These works not only form a rich tapestry of the era but also highlight the varying perspectives and biases of the authors.
Epiphania Eustathios: A Byzantine chronicler after 518, who wrote the Chronologikal Epitomé.
Roman Chronicle of Cassiodorus: Around 487-583, Cassiodorus provided a Roman perspective on the Gothic wars.
Iordanes: Writing the History of the Goths after 553, he offered insights into Gothic history from an early Byzantine perspective.
St. Gildas: Around 500-570, his De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae highlights the decline of Britain.
Procopios: He authored both the Byzantine Book of Wars and Secret History from around 500-565.
Evagrios Skholastikos: From 537-600, his Church History offered a Syrian perspective on the church's progress.
St. Isidore of Seville: A pivotal figure in Spanish history, he wrote Chronicon which further documents Gothic, Vandal, and Suebic invasions and consolidations from 556-636.
Influence and Variation in Historiography
The works of these chroniclers exhibit a wide variation in style and perspective. For instance, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (9th century) provides a biased but detailed narrative of various Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian events, reflecting the contemporary political and cultural milieu. Similarly, the works like those of Regino of Prüm and Guibert of Nogent offer more detailed local and religious histories.
Contributions and Challenges
The historians of this era, while contributing significantly to the cultural and religious understanding of their times, faced challenges in verifying and interpreting events. Their works often reflected the political and religious contexts of their times, making it difficult to separate fact from fiction. For instance, the Chronicon ex chronicis and the works of Henry of Hertford highlight the local and sometimes regional perspectives that shaped these often limited histories.
Understanding the works of these medieval historians and chroniclers is crucial for recognizing the complexities of medieval society. Despite their limitations, these documents remain invaluable sources of historical information and insight into medieval life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the era of medieval historians was marked by a blend of personal narratives, religious motivations, and political influences. Their works, while sometimes biased, provide a rich insight into the past. The challenge lies in navigating these varied accounts to discover the true threads of history.