Prologue, Chapter 5: Kings, Wars, and Dating of Events

In Chapter 5 of the Prologue ("Apology regarding kings and wars in this work"), Vincent addresses his method of recording history in the Speculum Historiale, the historical part of his book which I will not be translating. He says that he feels justified in inserting the names of kings in his history as a method of dating Church events. After all, he says,

"Luke wove the history of the Lord's incarnation [and] in the very beginning of his gospel, he made mention of King Herod and, after a few words, of Caesar Augustus. So those things which were little noted by people were confirmed and corroborated by those things which are carried by frequent report to almost everyone."

In other words, "The writer of the Gospel of Luke used Herod and Augustus and date the birth of Jesus, so why shouldn't I do likewise in my history?"


Later in the same chapter, Vincent explains why he has no problem recording wars and slaughter in his history, despite their apparent display of un-Christian virtues:

"The reader will be able to pay attention to the rest of the famous wars which took place everywhere throughout the world within different kingdoms before our peaceable king came who spoke peace to his people; with how much fervor should we fight against spiritual enemies for the sake of our own spiritual health and for the eternal glory which has been promised to us when those certain people (namely infidels) – who are completely arising and ignorant of this health and glory – so bitterly fight for temporal health only and for acquiring or guarding momentary glory."

That is, meditating on warfare is a way to think about the vanity of the world and encouragement to fight for spiritual health. He goes on to say that reading about warfare is a way for readers to consider God's righteous punishment of unbelievers.