Saint Gregory of Tours (30 November c. 538 – 17 November 594) was a
Gallo-Roman historian and
Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading
prelate of
Gaul. He was born
Georgius Florentius, later adding the name
Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather. He is the main contemporary source for
Merovingian history. His most notable work was his
Decem Libri Historiarum or
Ten Books of Histories, better known as the
Historia Francorum ("History of the
Franks"), a title given to it by later chroniclers, but he is also known for his accounts of the
miracles of saints, especially four books of the miracles of
Martin of Tours. St Martin's tomb was a major draw in the 6th century, and Gregory's writings had the practical aspect of promoting this highly organized devotion.