GIOVANNI of BICLARO. — Born of Gothic parents, but Catholics, around the year 540 in Scallabis in Lusitania. He was exiled by Leovigild from Barcelona for his religion. In 586 he founded the monastery of Biclaro-Valclara near Tarragona (or better, near Bejar, according to the conjectures of Menéndez Pidal?). Elected bishop of Gerona in 590, he took part in various councils.
His Chronicle, written around 590, is the immediate continuation of that of Victor of Tunnuna, and covers the years 567–87. Its value lies in its reliance on real testimonies of events and other reliable information. Notable is his impartiality, admirable when one considers the conflicting interests of that medieval environment. He gives fair consideration to the Gothic perspective in Spain, coloring his History with a national tone. He also wrote, according to Isidore of Seville, a Rule for monks. He died around 621.