Cleric and Ruler. The Role of the Chronistic-Didactic exemplum in the Organization of the Medieval regnum
Abstract
The establishment of the early mediaeval state is always linked with the problem of integrating a pagan ruler and his value structures into a Christian cultural environment. The role of the clergy was always fundamental and the literature of the time reflects this.
As such, this paper endeavours through a comparative analysis of two chronicles, Gregory of Tours' Libri historiarum and Cosmas of Prague's Chronica Bohemorum, to determine the principal educational strategies used by both authors to attempt to explain this transformation as beneficial and functional both for the ruler and his people. The fundamental approach in both cases is the same, despite the different environments both were created in: the exclusivity of the people defined by their future mission (1); constituting a Christian sovereign power as a free and beneficial tribal decision (2); presenting an acceptance of Christianity not as a turning-point, but rather as fulfilling logical historical development (3); stressing the educational importance of deeds (gesta), rather than myths of tribal origins (origo gentis) (4).
It can thus be supposed that the general features of this strategy were the same, something which is also suggested by the similar use of the ancient loci commues, and ancient and mediaeval Patristics.