CHRONICLE

OF THE NOTABLE MONASTERY

OF HIRSAU, OF THE ORDER

OF SAINT BENEDICT, PUBLISHED BY JOHN TRITHE-

MIUS, ABBOT OF SPAN-

HEIM.

Praise of History. History yll?

A large decorative woodcut initial H contains a coat of arms in the center. The shield shows a swan or bird with outstretched wings. Elaborate floral scrollwork and classical architectural motifs surround the initial. The ancients applied incredible diligence to writing histories. They believed the State could be adorned by history just as much as it is defended by arms. History is a preserver of memory, a model of virtue, and a companion of wisdom. It alone makes the fame of good men immortal through eternal celebration. These were men who strove to surpass others in wisdom, holiness, and strength.

Demonstration by example.

Who would know today the origin of the world, the counting of years, and what has happened in the time since? Who could persuade non-believers of the Incarnation, the birth from the Virgin, the teaching, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Son of the Eternal Father? Who could explain to the ignorant the sufferings of the martyrs, the lives of the saints, the destruction of the Trojans, the Roman Empire's reach across the globe, the various deeds of kings and princes, and other ancient events worthy of memory? Even if people told these stories, who would believe them if no history writers had existed before us? History alone allows those of us separated from the ancients by a vast interval of time to seem present at their deeds and to have lived in those same times. History makes those who are absent present. Indeed, history grants immortality to men among mortals. It adorns and preserves the state. It uses the wisdom of the ancients to keep us safe from many dangers. It instructs faith and raises hope by offering the prize of eternity. It adds strength to the laws. History persuades us that everything the senses desire or fear is nothing but a dream. By doing so, it looks after the immortality of the soul and makes us eager to contemplate divine things.

The usefulness of history.

No one with even a small amount of wisdom can fail to know how much we benefit from reading histories. Knowledge of the deeds of the ancients, if they were good, teaches and instructs us to imitate the virtues, wisdom, and strength of heroes. If the deeds were bad or wrongly done, history makes us cautious and prudent by warning us not to become imitators of the wicked. History is a living model of the dead and an inextinguishable light for mortals. It presents the merits, virtues, and praises of good men to us so that, moved by their glory, fame, and immortality, we may strive to be what they were. In this way, we leave behind a similar example of virtue and holiness for those who follow us, just as we received it from those who preceded us in time and virtue. History makes men immortal.

When history shows readers the impious deeds, shames, and deserved punishments of the wicked, we should not think these are written as examples for us to follow. Instead, we should believe we are being warned so that we do not commit similar acts,