Gregory of Tours

(c. 538 - 594)

Born in Auvergne around 538, Gregory of Tours was at various times a monk, writer, builder, ambassador, and politician as well as the bishop of Tours from 573 until his death in 594. His compositional style was criticized by fellow historians as artless, but he claimed he was trying to offer pure truth: “I apologize if I offend the art of grammar,” Gregory wrote, “but I only desire to hold steadfast.”