Letter 47

From: The Austrasian Court To: [Church official] Date: ~591 AD Context: Austrasian letter 47; royal communication addressing the relationship between the Frankish church and Rome in the aftermath of Gregory the Great's election as pope. To our beloved bishops and especially to those in correspondence with the see of Rome, We have noted with interest the election of Gregory as bishop of Rome [Gregory the Great, 590-604, one of the most important popes of the early medieval period, who corresponded extensively with Frankish rulers and bishops]. His reputation for learning, holiness, and administrative effectiveness precedes him, and the letters that have reached us from Rome since his election confirm that impression. We want to encourage a warm and productive relationship between the Frankish church and the new bishop of Rome. Gregory has shown himself to be a man who understands the realities of church governance in diverse regions and who does not approach the relationship between Rome and the provincial churches as a zero-sum competition. We believe a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation is possible and desirable. We also want to note that we will be conducting our own correspondence with the bishop of Rome on matters of mutual concern, and we ask that our bishops keep us informed of any significant communications they receive from Rome so that our correspondence can be coordinated. God grant Gregory a long and fruitful pontificate. By order of the king