Monks wrote histories to support the claims of kings or nobles who were patrons of their monasteries. Chronicles could legitimize a ruler’s authority by linking him to sacred history or heroic ancestors. Sometimes, they also served as political propaganda or to justify land claims and privileges.
For example, the Chronicle of Saint-Denis in France supported the Capetian kings by portraying their lineage as divinely chosen.
Educational and Moral Purposes
Monks saw history as a tool for education and moral instruction. By learning from the successes and failures of past rulers and peoples, contemporary readers could understand virtues and vices, justice and tyranny.
Historical narratives were filled with moral lessons, emphasizing the rewards of piety and the dangers of sin. These stories were used to teach both monks and laypeople about living a godly life and maintaining social order. shutdown123