Note B — First Book

P. 5, l. 1 f. Here as well as in his “first preface” (p. 1) Gregory gives his point of view as definitely as any historian has ever done. The reader has merely to bear it in mind in order to interpret the narrative. Gregory’s impulse to write the History of the Franks came not from an interest in the Frankish state, but from an interest in the orthodox church, of which he regarded the Franks as the champions. It is for this reason that he is far more definite in expressing his adherence to the creed than his allegiance to the Frankish kings. It is this attitude, too, that explains his impatience with civil war (p. 105). Cf. Introd., p. xxi and pp. 53, 54.