Chronicle of Fredegar

The Chronicle of Fredegar, a significant historical text from the seventh century, is believed to have been composed in the region of Burgundy. The identity of its author remains a mystery, with the name Fredegar only being associated with the work from the sixteenth century onwards.

This chronicle offers a sweeping narrative that begins with the creation of the world and extends to the year AD six hundred and forty-two. It also includes references to events occurring up to six hundred and fifty-eight, providing a glimpse into the historical context of the time.

Some manuscripts of the Chronicle feature an abridged version that concludes in six hundred and forty-two, yet they also contain additional sections penned during the Carolingian dynasty, culminating with the death of Pepin the Short in seven hundred and sixty-eight. This makes the Chronicle of Fredegar, along with its Continuations, one of the few surviving sources that shed light on the Merovingian dynasty after the narrative of Gregory of Tours' Decem Libri Historiarum ends in five hundred and ninety-one.