Andrea da Bergamo: ANDREAS BERGOMATIS CHRONICON

1. Narsis patritius Romanorum bella sustinuit, et eos semper defendit, invidia Romani contra eum pertulit, ad Iustinianum imperatorem acusaverunt; qui et ipse augustus et Sophia, uxor eius, mandans ei, quia eunuchus erat, ut ad se veniret et lana in genitio per pensione dividere. Narsis vero patritius sic ei mandans, non tantum se lana dividere, sed etiam talem telam orditurum, quale ipsa dum viveret deponere non possit. Legatos Narsis ad Langobardos mittens et pomorum genera vel reliqua dignitate transmittens, ut animos eorum amabilis facerent, quatenus in Italia venirent et plena eas absque pugna perciperent.

1. Narsis, a patrician of the Romans, sustained wars and always defended them; the Romans bore envy against him and accused him to Emperor Justinian; who himself and Sophia, his wife, commanding him, because he was a eunuch, to come to them and to distribute wool as a pension. Narsis, however, being thus commanded, declared that he would not only distribute the wool, but would also weave such a garment that she herself, while alive, could not lay it aside. Sending legates to the Langobards and transmitting kinds of fruits and the rest with dignity, that they might make their minds favourable, so that they would come into Italy and receive them fully without battle.

Langobardi mox ut audiunt, gavisi sunt gaudio. Pannonia vero amicis suis Avarorum gens comendaverunt; quam possessam habebant per annos 42, cum uxoribus et natis et omnia quae habebant exientes de Panonia mense Aprile, per indictione prima, alia die post pasca Domini qui fuit Kalendis Aprilis, cum iam Domini incarnatione anni quingenti sexaginta oto essent evoluti. Igitur Langobardi introierunt Italia per Foroiulanorum terminum.

The Langobards soon, when they heard, rejoiced with joy. They, however, entrusted Pannonia to their friends the gens of the Avars; which they had held in possession for 42 years. With their wives and children and all that they possessed, departing from Pannonia in the month of April, in the first indiction, on the day after the Lord’s Pascha which was the Kalends of April, when already 568 years of the Lord’s Incarnation had been completed. Therefore the Langobards entered Italy through the boundary of the Foroiulans.

Alboin nepoti sui Gisolfi Foroiuli concessit et reliquos nobiles Langobardos. His diebus Langobardi Italia invaserunt, Vincentiam Veronamque et reliquas Venetiarum civitates coepit, et per tres annos Ticino possedit. Interim Alboin invasit omnia usque ad Tuscia preter Romam et Ravennam, Ticinensis vero per tres annos se continentes, per obsides quas dederunt, iam videntes suorum fortia circa se subiugata, Langubardi se tradiderunt.

Alboin granted Foroiuli to his nephew Gisulf and the remaining noble Lombards. In those days the Langobards invaded Italy, began Vicenza and Verona and the other cities of the Venetiae, and held Ticinum for three years. Meanwhile Alboin invaded all the lands as far as Tuscany, except Rome and Ravenna; and the men of Ticinum, holding out for three years by the hostages which they had given, when they now saw the fortresses of their people about them subdued, yielded themselves to the Langobards.

Pauca vero de multa dicam. Rex Alboin postquam in Italia tres annos et sex menses regnavit, insidiae suae coniuge interemptus est. Langobardi ex communi consilio Cleb nobilissimum in urbe Ticinensium sibi regem constituerunt; regnavit anno uno mensibus sex; a puero de suo obsequio gladio iugulatus est.

I will say a little about many things. King Alboin, after he had reigned in Italy three years and six months, was slain by a plot of his wife. The Langobards by common counsel appointed Cleb, most noble, as their king in the city of the Ticinesi; he reigned one year and six months; he was throat‑cut with a sword by a boy of his own retinue.

Post cuius mortem Langobardi per annos decem regem non habuerunt, sed sub potestatem ducibus fuerunt. Post autem annos decem elegerunt Autari, Clefoni filius. Autari vero duxit uxorem Teudelinda nomine, filia Garibaldi Baioariorum rex sancta et nobilissima; ipsa edificavit ecclesia sancti Iohanni sita Moditia.

After whose death the Langobards for ten years had no king, but were under the authority of dukes. After ten years, however, they elected Autari, son of Clef. Autari took as wife a woman named Teudelinda, daughter of Garibald, king of the Baiwari (Bavarians), holy and most noble; she herself built the church of Saint John situated at Moditia.

Rex Autari aput Ticinum, venenum ut tradunt accepto, moritur, postquam sex regnaverat annos. Langobardi ex communi consilio suae regine Teudelindae licentiam tribuerunt, quali ipsa suo sociare voluisset coniugio, tali et illi regem constituissent. Quid multa?

King Autari at Ticinum, having received poison as they relate, dies, after he had reigned six years. The Langobards by common counsel granted to their queen Teudelinda the licence to unite herself in marriage to whichever kind of husband she wished, and they likewise would have appointed for her a king of that kind. What more need be said?

Accepit Agilulf ducem Taurinensium; et regnavit annos viginti quinque, et mortuus est. Et regnavit pro eo filio suo Adalovald annos decem, de regno eiectus est. Eius regnum successit Arioald, et regnavit annos duodecim, et mortuus est.

Agilulf took the duchy of the Taurinenses; and he reigned for 25 years, and died. And in his stead his son Adalovald reigned for 10 years, he was expelled from the kingdom. His kingdom was succeeded by Arioald, and he reigned for 12 years, and died.

Regnavit pro eo Rothari, qui edictum Langubardorum conposuit; reliqua eius dignitatem et fortia, et bella quas gessit, nonne haec scripta sunt in coronica Langubardorum ut supra? Regnavit Rothari annos sexdecim, et mortuus est; Rodoaldi filio suo regnum reliquid. Rodoald vero dum uxore cuiusdam stuprasset, ab eodem interfectus est, postquam quinque regnaverat annis septemque diebus.

Rothari reigned in his stead, who composed the edict of the Langobards; were not the rest—his dignity and brave deeds, and the wars which he waged—already written in the chronicle of the Langobards as above? Rothari reigned 16 years, and died; he left the kingdom to his son Rodoald. But Rodoald, having raped the wife of a certain man, was killed by that same man, after he had reigned 5 years and 7 days.

Huic successit in regno Aripert; regnavit annis novem, et mortuus est. Reliquid regnum duobus filii sui, Pertarit et Gudiperti, Inter ipsi fratres malis hominibus discordia facientes in tantum, ut alterium regnum invaderent. Grimoald Beneventanorum suorum ducem per fraudulenter missum eorum mandatum veniens, Gudiperto gladio interemit, expleto anno post mortem patris et sex mensibus.

To him Aripert succeeded in the kingdom; he reigned nine years, and died. He left the kingdom to his two sons, Pertarit and Gudipert. Between the brothers themselves they made discord among evil men so greatly that they invaded one another’s kingdom. Grimoald, duke of his Beneventans, coming by their command sent fraudulently, slew Gudipert with the sword, a year and six months after the death of the father.

Pertarit fuga aripuit, Grimoald regnum accepit. Multa quidem eius historiole continent, sed pauca in hac adbreviationem conscribam. Hic in edicto Langubardorum novem conposuit capitula; regnavit annos novem, et mortuus est.

Pertarit fled, and Grimoald took the kingdom. Many little histories of him are contained, but I will compose few in this abridgment. Here in the edict of the Langobards he composed nine chapters; he reigned nine years, and died.

Reliquid regnum Garibaldi, filio suo. Pertarit vero, unde iam diximus, qui fuga lapsus erat, egressus de Galia navem ascendit, ad Britaniam insolam ad regnum Saxonum transmeare; et dum pelago navigasset, divinus nuncius eidem ad ripam clamans, et dixit: Revertere, Pertarit, in terra tua, quia tertia die est hodie, quod Grimold defunctus est. Quid plura?

The remainder of the kingdom to Garibald, his son. Pertarit, however, as we have already said, who had fallen into flight, having set out from Gaul boarded a ship to cross over to the island of Britain to the kingdom of the Saxons; and while he was sailing on the sea, a divine messenger calling to him from the shore said: "Return, Pertarit, to your land, for today is the third day since Grimoald died." What more?

Reversus est, et gratanter a Langubardis susceptus, et ad regna gubernacula eum constituerunt mense tertio post mortem Grimoaldi. Regnavit Pertarit annos decem et septem, et mortuus est. Cuniperti, suum filium, regnum reliquid.

He returned, and, gratefully received by the Langobards, they set him at the helm of the kingdoms in the third month after Grimoald’s death. Pertarit reigned seventeen years and died. He left the kingdom to his son Cunipert.

Multa quidem eius istoriole scripta invenimus. Contra Halahis tirrannum fatigatione sustentus; sed Cunipert triumphum victoriae cum exultatione Dei, Italia regnavit post mortem patris annos duodecim. In campo Coronate, ubi bellum contra Alahis gessit, in honore beati Georgii martyris monasterium construxit.

We do indeed find many writings of that little history of his. He opposed the tyrant Halahis, wearing him down by fatigue; but Cunipert, with the triumph of victory and in the exultation of God, reigned over Italy for twelve years after his father’s death. On the field of Coronate, where he waged war against Alahis, he built a monastery in honor of the blessed martyr George.

Reliquid regnum Liutperti, filio suo. Surrexit contra eum Aripert, et vivum comprehendit, et non post multos dies in balneo vita privavit. Regnavit Aripert annos 12, in flumen Ticinum ab aquis negatus est.

He left the kingdom to Liutpert, his son. Aripert rose up against him, seized him alive, and not many days later deprived him of life in a bath. Aripert reigned 12 years, and was overwhelmed by the waters in the river Ticinum.

Ansprand eius regnum aripuit; regnavit menses tres. Reliquid regnum Liutprandi, filio suo. Fuit autem Liutprand multe sapientie, clemens, pudicus, orator, pervigil, elemosinis largus; legem quidem Langubardorum ampliavit, et in edicti corpore conscribere iussit.

Ansprand seized his kingdom; he reigned three months. He left the remainder of the kingdom to Liutprand, his son. Liutprand was a man of much sapience, merciful, chaste, an orator, very vigilant, generous in alms; he indeed expanded the law of the Langobards, and ordered it to be inscribed in the body of the edict.

Regnavit annis triginta et uno septemque mensibus, et mortuus est.

He reigned thirty-one years and seven months, and died.

2. Haec autem superscripta summationem cui incredibile apparet, relegat tota historia Langubardorum; omnia haec ibi veraciter invenit, in quantum hic scripta sunt; et plures multa illuc invenitur de nobilitatem eorum vel victoriae et de bella quas gesserunt. Hanc autem adbreviationem superscripta, in quantum potui, exerpsi ego Andreas, licet indignus, presbyter de historiae Langubardorum; et quorum hic super continent eorum historiae minime ad nostram pervenit notitiam, sed in quantum per seriem litterarum seu per antiquos homines potui veraciter scire, hic scrivere delectatus sum.

2. The foregoing writings, which to some appear an incredible summation, consign the whole history of the Langubardorum; all these things are found there truthfully, insofar as they are written here; and moreover many things are found there concerning their nobility or victories and concerning the wars which they waged. Now this abridgment of the foregoing, as far as I was able, I, Andreas, though unworthy, a presbyter of the history of the Langubardorum, have extracted; and those matters of which the above contains little that had reached our knowledge, but which, insofar as by a series of letters or by ancient men I could truly learn, I have been pleased to write here.

Defuncto itaque Liutprand, Ratchis electus a Langubardis rex elevatus est; regnavit annos quinque, et posuit in edicto capituli octo. Hoc quoque defuncto, Aistolfi, germano suo, regnum reliquid. Eorumque factis retinere non possumus; sed quantum audivimus, audaces uterque fuerunt, et suorum tempore Langubardi a nulla gens terruerunt.

Therefore, Liutprand having died, Ratchis was chosen by the Langubards and raised to the kingship; he reigned five years, and set forth in an edict eight chapters. Upon his death as well, he left the kingdom to Aistolfus, his brother. And of their deeds we cannot retain (record) much; but as far as we have heard, both were daring, and in their time the Langubards were terrified by no people.

Regnavit annos octo, et posuit in edicto capitula tredecim, et mortuus est. Desiderii regnum reliquid. Qui cum regnasset annos tres, suus filius, Adelchis nomine, ex consensu Langubardorum sub se regem constituit; sub quorum tempore in aliquantum pax fuit.

He reigned eight years, and in his edict set down thirteen chapters, and died. He left the kingdom to Desiderius. Who, when he had reigned three years, by the consent of the Langobards made his son, named Adelchis, king under himself; during whose time there was for a while some peace.

Quidam et etiam filiam suam, Berterad nomine, Karoli, Pipini filius, Francorum rex, coniugio sociavit; alia vero filia, Liupergam nomine, sociavit Taxiloni Baioariorum rex; et pax firmissima ex utraque partis firmaverunt, sed minime conservaverunt. Causa autem discordiae ista fuit. Habebat Carolus suus germanus maior se Karlemannus nomine, ferebundus et pessimus; contra Carolum iracundus surrexit, eum iurare fecit, ut ipsam Berterad ultra non haberet coniuge.

Certainly he even allied one daughter of his, named Berterad, in marriage to Karolus, son of Pippin, king of the Franks; and another daughter, named Liuperga, he allied to Taxilone, king of the Bavarians; and from both parties they established a very firm peace, but they hardly preserved it. The cause of the discord, however, was this. Karolus had an elder germanus of his named Karlemannus, tremulous and very wicked; he rose up against Karolus in anger, and forced him to swear that he would no longer have that same Berterad as a wife.

Quid multa? Remisit eam Ticino, unde dudum eam duxerat. Mater vero eorum haec separatio audiens, Carlemanni filii sui blasphemiam intulit, oculorum cecitate perculsus est, cum periculo vita finivit.

What need for many words? He sent her back to Ticino, whence long before he had taken her. Their mother, however, hearing of this separation, brought blasphemy upon her son Carloman; he, struck with a blindness of the eyes, ended his life in peril.

4. His temporibus ecclesiae Romanae Leo papa regebat, et oppressiones a Langubardis multa patiebat; ex sede propria exiens Francia, repedavit cum multis sapientissimis ars litterarum, maxime cantores. Francorum gens haec audiens, magno gavisi sunt gaudio. Karolus cum suis obviam eius adventum pedibus venerunt, ei obtimum consedere locum fecerunt civitatem quae dicitur Metis.

4. In those times Pope Leo ruled the Church of Rome, and endured many oppressions from the Langobards; going forth from his own see into Francia, he returned with many most wise men of the art of letters, especially singers. The Frankish people, hearing this, were greatly rejoiced. Charles and his men met his arrival on foot, and made for him a most fitting seat in the city which is called Metz.

Qui ibidem per annos tres resedentes, tanta quidem dignitatem cantores ibi fecerunt, ut per totam Franciam Italiamque pene multae civitates ornamentum ecclesiae usque hodie consonant. Papa vero probata gens Francorum astuti et nobiles, consilium eorum dedit, ut super Langubardos venirent, Italiam possiderent; ipse vero ad suam sede Romane ecclesie remeavit.

Who, remaining there for three years, the singers thereby made such dignity that throughout France and Italy even many cities are to this day an ornament and concord of the church. The pope, having approved the shrewd and noble Frankish people, gave them his counsel that they should come against the Lombards and possess Italy; he himself, however, returned to his seat of the Roman church.

5. Karulus siquidem vero, adnitentibus suis, oblitus est tantorum benignitatis, quod ei Desiderius rex tribuit. Congregata multorum Francorum exercitum, ex iussu apostolici sacramenta irrita facta sunt; Italia contra Langobardos veniens, divino iudicio terror in Langubardus inruit, absque grave pugna Italiam invasit, anno Desiderii 18. et Adelchis 15. indictione 12. cum iam 205 anni essent evoluti, postquam Langubardi Italia ingressi sunt. Desiderio vero eodem tempore mortuus est.

5. Karulus indeed, with his adherents exerting themselves, forgot so great a benignity as King Desiderius had shown him. Having mustered an army of many Franks, and by apostolic order the sacraments were declared null; Italy coming against the Langobards, by divine judgment terror fell upon the Langobards, and without a heavy battle he invaded Italy, in the 18th year of Desiderius and the 15th of Adelchis, indiction 12, when already 205 years had elapsed since the Langobards entered Italy. At that same time Desiderius died.

Adelchis, eius filius, navium praeparans, ultra mare egressus est. Tantaque tribulatio fuit in Italia; alii gladio interempti, alii fame perculsi, aliis bestiis occisi, ut vix pauci remanerent in vicos vel in civitates.

Adelchis, his son, preparing ships, went forth across the sea. And such tribulation was there in Italy; some were slain by the sword, others struck down by famine, others killed by wild beasts, so that scarcely a few remained in the villages or in the cities.

6. Foroiulanorum dux tunc temporis Rotcausus praeerat et in Vincentia Gaidus; qui auditu Francorum devastatione et eius adventnm quod in Foroiuli properarent, congregatisque ut poterant, obviam eorum ad ponte qui dicitur Liquentia exierunt, et ibidem magna strages de Francis fecerunt. Karolus vero haec audiens, mandans eorum fidelitatis fidem suscepturos et honoraturos, Rotcausus et Gaidus ducibus cum nobilis Foroiulanorum consilio inito, ut viriliter se contendissent. Erat quidem ex ipsis, cui iam munera Caroli excecaverat cor, tale dedit consilio: Quid faciemus?

6. At that time the duke of the Foroiulans was Rotcausus and in Vincentia Gaidus; who, on hearing of the devastation by the Franks and of their coming—that they were hastening into Foroiuli—and having mustered what men they could, went out to meet them at the bridge called Liquentia, and there made a great slaughter of the Franks. Karolus, however, hearing this, ordering that they should receive and honour the pledge of their fidelity, with Rotcausus and Gaidus as commanders and the noble council of the Foroiulans having been held, that they should strive manfully. There was indeed among them one whose heart the gifts of Karolus had already blinded, who gave this counsel: "What shall we do?"

Quomodo eorum resistere possumus? Capud non habemus. Regem confortationis nostrae iam devictus est.

How can we resist them? We have no head. The king, the chief support of our strength, has already been defeated.

Eamus eorum fidelitate; bene nobis erit. Quid dicam? Ut obtabat, fecerunt.

Let us trust in their fidelity; it will be well for us. What shall I say? As he wished, they did.

Et tamen eorum Carolus servavit honorem.

And yet Charles preserved their honor.

7. Igitur subiugata et ordinata Italia, ad Romam perrexit; ibidem palatium construxit; deinde terra pacificata et sacramenta data, Pipinus suus filius regendum Italia concessit; ipse vero Karolus post aliquantum tempus Francia reversus est, obsides quoque ducentes secum quicquid Italia maiores nati et nobiliores erant. Post non multum tempus ab eodem Carolus meruerunt, et honorati sunt ab ipso, ad suam reversi sunt patria. Pipinus vero vivente patre defunctus est.

7. Therefore, Italy having been subdued and ordered, he went to Rome; there he constructed a palace; then, the land pacified and the oaths given, he conceded the government of Italy to his son Pipinus; Carolus himself, after some time, returned to Francia, also leading with him hostages — namely, whatever the greater and more noble were born in Italy. After not much time they obtained favor from the same Carolus, and were honored by him; they returned to their own fatherland. Pipinus, however, died while his father was still living.

Reliquid filium, Bernardum nomine, cui Karolus Italia concessit; qui cum esset penuriae famis Italia praeuccupata, subito ut Bernardo regnum accepit, dignitatem ubertatemque advenit, et sic fuit dum ipse regnavit. Karolus autem qui cum sex annos in Francia, et postquam in Italia ingressus est 41 annos regnasset, defunctus est in pace senesque aetatis et plenus dierum, qui per eum nomen Francorum longe lateque percrebuit, sicut est nunc usque ad hodiernum diem. Reliquid sedem suam in Francia Hludowici, filia suo.

He left a son, named Bernard, to whom Charles granted Italy; who, since Italy was beset by lack and famine, suddenly, when Bernard received the kingdom, dignity and abundance came to him, and so it continued while he himself reigned. Charles, however, who had reigned six years in Francia, and after entering Italy had reigned 41 years, died in peace, of old age and full of days, through whom the name of the Franks spread far and wide, as it is now even to the present day. He left his seat in Francia to Hludowicus, his son.

Iste incipit vocare imperator ex Francorum genus.

This one begins to be called Emperor of the Frankish race.

8. Coniux vero eiusdem Hludowici, Hermengarda nomine, inimicitia contra Bernardo, Langubardorum regem, orta est, mandans ei, quasi pacis gratia ad se venire. Ille ab ipsis nobiles legatarii sacramenta fidem suscepit, Francia iturus est. Qui mox ut illa potuit, sicut audivimus, nesciente imperatore, oculi Bernardi evulsit; ab ipso dolore defunctus est, postquam quinque regnaverat annos, duo sub Carolo, tres sub Hludowicus.

8. His wife, likewise of Hludowicus, named Hermengarda, kindled a hostility against Bernard, king of the Langobards, bidding him to come to her as if for the sake of peace. He, having received the oaths of fidelity from those noble legates themselves, was about to go to Francia. But as soon as she could, as we have heard, without the emperor’s knowledge, she plucked out Bernard’s eyes; he died of that very pain, after he had reigned five years, two under Charles and three under Hludowicus.

9. Erat quidem Hludowicus imperator multae sapientiae, consilio prudens, misericors et pacis amator; habebat tranquillitas magna ex omniumque parte pacis gratia; diligebat lectores, cantores, et cunctis servientibus Deo ministrantibus ecclesiae. Habuit filios tres, id est Lothario et Hludowicus de Ermengarda, et Carolus de Iuditta quae post morte Ermengardi in coniugio suscepit. Quidam praedicto imperator Hludowicus suum filium Lothario sub se sedem imperialis constituit, vivente patre.

9. Emperor Hludowicus was indeed of much wisdom, prudent in counsel, merciful and a lover of peace; he enjoyed great tranquillity for the sake of peace on every side; he loved the lectors, the singers, and all those serving God ministering in the church. He had three sons, that is Lothario and Hludowicus by Ermengarda, and Carolus by Iuditta, whom he received in marriage after the death of Ermengarda. The aforesaid Emperor Hludowicus established his son Lothario under him in the imperial seat while the father was still living.

10. Habuit Lotharius filius, Hludowicus nomine, cui avius suus Hludowicus Italiam concessit, Hludowici filii sui Baioaria, Caroli Aquitania. Honor autem maior, id est imperialis, crescebat cottidie Lotharii; cui inimici homines consilium dederunt, quatenus Iudittam, nuvercam suam, genitori suo tollerent et in Italia abducerent; sicuti fecerunt. In civitate Dartonensis in custodia miserunt.

10. Lotharius had a son, named Hludowicus, to whom his grandfather Hludowicus conceded Italy, to Hludowicus’s son Bavaria, and to Carolus Aquitaine. But the greater honor, that is the imperial, increased daily for Lotharius; to whom hostile men gave counsel, so that they should remove Juditta, his stepmother, from her father and carry her off into Italy; which they did. In the city of Dartonensis they put her in custody.

Quis potest dicere furore, quam pater eius vehementer iratus fuisset? sed totam fortia Lotharius ad se retentam habebat.

Who can say, in fury, how vehemently his father had been enraged? But Lotharius had kept all the strongholds retained to himself.

11. Igitur non post multos dies dum se recognoscens Lotharius, quod malum egisset consilium, nubercam suam remittens genitori suo, et ira inflammatus contra illos qui ei tam pravum consilium dederunt, alios occidit, alios in exilio misit. Tunc temporis ecclesiae Mediolanensis Angelbertus archiepiscopus regebat. Volebat imperator dicere, quod ille in ipso consilium fuisset, et venientes nobiles eum in gratia miserunt; sed dum ante imperatore ducerent, ille vero tantum caput inclinavit et verba salutatoria dixit; ad pedes vero noluit venire propter reverentiae honorem ecclesiarum.

11. Therefore not many days later, when Lotharius, recognizing that he had committed an evil counsel, restored his stepmother to her father, and, inflamed with anger against those who had given him so depraved a counsel, killed some and sent others into exile. At that time the Church of Milan was governed by Archbishop Angelbertus. The emperor wished to say that he himself had been in that very counsel, and the returning nobles dismissed him into favour; but when they led him before the emperor, he only bowed his head and spoke words of salutation; indeed he would not come to the feet because of reverence for the honour of the churches.

Tunc imperator dixit: Sic contenis te, quasi sanctus Ambrosius sis! Archiepiscopus respondit: Nec ego sanctus Ambrosius, nec tu dominus Deus. Imperator vero subiunxit ei: Ite ad genitorem meum, cuius odium me fecisti habere; reducite me ad pristinam gratiam!

Then the emperor said: Thus you comport yourself, as if you were Saint Ambrose! The archbishop replied: Neither am I Saint Ambrose, nor are you Lord God. The emperor moreover added to him: Go to my father, whose hatred you have caused me to have; restore me to my former grace!

Ille autem haec audiens, perrexit in Franciam. Hludowicus imperator honorifice eum suscepit. Dum ad mensam uterque reficerent, causa exurgens imperator et dixit: Bone archiepiscope, quid debet facere homo de inimicum suum?

He, however, hearing these things, proceeded into Francia. Emperor Hludowicus received him honorably. While both refreshed themselves at the table, a question arising, the emperor rose up and said: Good archbishop, what ought a man to do about his enemy?

Ille respondit: Dominus dixit in evangelio: Diligite inimicos vestros, et benefacite his qui vos oderunt. Imperator dixit: Et si haec non fecero? Archiepiscopus respondit: Si non feceris, non habebis vitam aeternam, si in ipso odio mortuus fueris.

He answered: The Lord said in the Gospel: Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you. The emperor said: And if I do not do these things? The archbishop answered: If you do not do them, you will not have eternal life, if you die in that very hatred.

Imperator vero iratus dixit: Si me vindicabo de adversario meo, non habebo vitam aeternam? et statim subiunxit: Vide Angelbertus, quomodo haec verba defendas! Et constituto posito usque in mane.

The emperor, however, angry, said: If I vindicate myself against my adversary, shall I not have eternal life? and immediately he added: See, Angelbertus, how you defend these words! And, the hearing having been fixed, until morning.

Mane autem facto, coligit imperator sapientes, prout si subito poterant, conflictum habentes de hac verba contra archiepiscopus. Archiepiscopus eorum praesentia dixit: Scitis, quia sumus omnes fratres in Christo? Illi autem respondentes dixerunt: Scimus, quia unum patrem vocamus in coelis.

When morning was made, the emperor gathered the wise men, as if they could at once, they having a dispute about these words against the archbishop. The archbishop, in their presence, said: Do you know that we are all brothers in Christ? They, however, answering, said: We know, for we call one Father in heaven.

Ille autem dixit: Ergo si scitis, quod fratres sumus, sive liber et servus, sive pater et filius. Apostolus Iohannes dixit: Qui odit fratrem suum, omicida est, et omnis omicida non habet vita eternam in se manentem. Si ergo odiosus omicida reputabitur, quomodo vitam eternam possessurus erit?

He, however, said: Therefore if you know that we are brothers, whether free and slave, or father and son. The Apostle John said: He who hates his brother is a homicidal man, and every homicidal man does not have eternal life remaining in him. If therefore the hater is reckoned a murderer, how will he be possessor of eternal life?

Illi autem convicti, ad haec verba consenserunt. Imperator vero manum in terra ponens, veniam petivit, et gratiam filii sui reddidit. Imperavit ipse tam solus quam simul cum filio annos 27, et ipso Lothario sub eodem patre annos 21. Indictione tertia sic fuit sol obscuratus in hoc mundo, et stellas in celo apparebant, 3. Nonas Magias, ora nona, in laetanias Domini, quasi media ora.

They, however, being convinced, assented to these words. But the emperor, placing his hand on the earth, begged pardon, and restored the grace to his son. He himself ruled both alone and together with his son for 27 years, and with Lothar himself under the same father for 21 years. In the third indiction thus was the sun darkened in this world, and stars appeared in the sky, 3. Nones of May, the ninth hour, in the litanies of the Lord, as if the mid hour.

Facta est tribulatio magna. Cumque hoc populus intenderent, multi extimabant, quod iam amplius hoc seculum non staret; sed dum haec angustia contemplarent, refulsit sol et quasi tremidus in antea umbraculam fugire cepit. Ipsa vero nocte sequenti prope matutino facta est lux quasi in die.

A great tribulation arose. And when the people observed this, many feared, thinking that this world would no longer endure; but while they beheld this distress, the sun shone forth and, as if trembling, began to drive away the shadow that had been before. And on that very next night, toward morning, there was a light almost like day.

Haec signa in celo conperta, doctores in suorum monitiones dixerunt: Estote, fratres, parati; quia adimpletum est quod in evangelio Dominus dixit: cum haec signa videritis, scitote, quia prope est die Domini magnus et manifestus? Sequenti autem mense Iunio Hludowicus imperator defunctus est, suosque dies finivit in pace.

These signs having been observed in the sky, the doctors, in their admonitions to their own, said: Be ready, brethren; for that which the Lord said in the Gospel is fulfilled: when you see these signs, know that the great and manifest day of the Lord is near? But in the following month, June, Emperor Hludowicus died, and finished his days in peace.

12. Post cuius mortem discordia inter ipsis tres germanis surrexit, Hludowicus et Carolus ex una parte, Lotharius ex altera. Cumque nulla parte locum dantes, iungentes se ubi nuncupatur Funtanense, acies hinc et inde ex utraque partis constructe, facta est strages magna, maxime nobiles Aquitanorum. Tantique ibi viri fortes per contentiones malas et improvidentia debellati sunt, quanti potuissent per bonam concordiam et salubre consilium multa milia sternere contradictorum paganorum; unde sic discipata est nobilitas Aquitanorum, quae etiam Nortemanni eorum possedant terrae, nec est qui eorum fortia resistat.

12. After whose death discord arose among the three brothers themselves, Hludowicus and Carolus on one side, Lotharius on the other. And when neither side would give ground, meeting where is called Funtanense, with battle‑lines drawn up on either part, there was a great slaughter, especially of the nobles of Aquitania. So many brave men there were routed by evil contentions and lack of providence as many thousands they could have laid low of the opposing pagans by good concord and healthful counsel; whence the nobility of the Aquitani was thus undone, whose lands are even possessed by their Northmen, and there is none who resists their strength.

Imperavit Lotharius post mortem patris sui tam solus quam simul cum Hludowicus filio suo annos 15, et mortuus est. Reliquid tres filios, id est iam dicto Hludowico, qui sub eo imperavit in Italia annos sex, Lothario in Francia, Karolus in Provintia. Sed Carolus non post multos dies defunctus est.

Lotharius reigned after his father's death fifteen (15) years, both alone and together with his son Hludowicus, and then died. He left three sons surviving, namely the aforesaid Hludowicus, who under him reigned in Italy six (6) years, Lotharius in France, Karolus in Provence. But Carolus died not many days afterward.

Lotharius ex sede propria exiens, in Italia veniens pacis gratiae videndum germanum suum, ubi cum ipso locutus est finibus Beneventana pago Venosiana; sed dum iret et reverteret, multa devastantes pauperorum domibus, blasphemia multa incurrit. Revertenti autem, in itinere via egrotare cepit, subito in civitate Placentina defunctus est, et ibi corpus eius conditum; suisque hominibus a multis simili modo contigerunt.

Lotharius, departing from his own seat and coming into Italy to visit his brother for the sake of peace, spoke with him at the bounds of the Beneventan district Venosiana; but as he went and returned, devastating many things in the homes of the poor, he incurred many blasphemies. On his return, however, he began to fall sick on the road, and suddenly died in the city of Piacenza, where his body was interred; and many similar events befell his men.

13. Pauca quidem sane dum per gestis filiorum regum seriem apices conponam, animus meus ad reliquis factis percurrit. Multa fatigatio Langobardi et oppressio a Sclavorum gens sustinuit, usque dum imperator Foroiulanorum Ebherardo principem constituit. Eo defuncto, Unhroch filio suo principatum suscepit.

13. A few things indeed, then, while I set apices upon the series of deeds of the sons of kings, my mind runs through the remaining deeds. The Langobards endured great toil and oppression from the Slavic people, until the emperor constituted Eberhard prince of the Forojulans. On his death, Unroch, his son, assumed the principate.

De Burgundia vero surrexit quidam dictus Hupert nomine, qui aliquanto tempore domno imperatori Hludowici se fidelissimo esse dicebat; postmodum cum Burgundionibus adiunctus, suorum fines rebellare disponebat, oblitus est tantorum beneficiorum quae ei imperator tribuit, et sacramenta quas dederat irrita fecit. Domnus Hludovicus haec audiens, Cunrath cum reliquis fidelibus suis dirixit, et eodem Hupert in campo comprehendit et occidit; et multi quidem da eius pars interempti sunt. Igitur antequam haec rebellatio facto fuisset, tanta quidem nivem Italia cecidit, ut per centum dies in planis locis teneret; et fuit gelus gravissimus, multa semina mortua fuerunt, vitae pene omnibus in planis locis siccaverunt, et vinum intra vascula glaciavit, ut aetiam per foramen spinarum nihil exibat, donec rumperetur ipsa glacia cum fuste ab ante ipso spina.

Of Burgundy, moreover, there rose a certain man called Hupert by name, who for some time professed himself to be most faithful to the lord emperor Hludowicus; afterward, having joined with the Burgundians, he set himself to make the bounds of his men rebel, forgetting the so many benefices which the imperator had bestowed on him, and he annulled the oaths which he had given. Domnus Hludovicus, hearing this, directed Cunrath with his remaining faithful, and there in the field seized and killed Hupert; and many indeed of his party were slain. Therefore, before this rebellion had been accomplished, so much snow indeed fell in Italy that for one hundred days it lay upon the plains; and there was a very severe frost, many seeds were dead, the vines in almost all the plains withered, and the wine froze within the casks, so that not even through the bung‑hole did aught issue, until the very ice was broken with a club from before the very stave.

Hoc fuit tempus domni Hludowici imperatoris anno 10. indictione octava. His itaque sub brevitate rei veritas transcurris, adventum primi ordinis, sicut cepimus, exsequamur. At vero domnus Hludowicus augustus multa quidem oppressionem a Sarracinorum gens in finibus Beneventanis sustinuit, et eorum semper resistit; Amelmasser eorum princeps cum multi Sarracini ibi consistentibus occidit; reliqui in castro qui dicitur Bari se fortiter munierunt, ubi domnus imperator per quinque annos eos cum Franci et Langobardi et ceteris nacionum suorum fidelium possidens, simul etiam cum sua coniuge Angelberga nomine et multi eorum similiter.

This was the time of Lord Emperor Hludowicus in the year 10, in the 8th indiction. Thus, passing briefly over the truth of the matter, we follow the arrival of the first order, as we began. But indeed Lord Hludowicus Augustus suffered many oppressions from the Saracen people in the bounds of Benevento, and ever resisted them; Amelmasser, their prince, with many Saracens gathered there he killed; the rest in the fortress which is called Bari stoutly fortified themselves, where the lord emperor, for five years possessing them with Franks and Lombards and the other nations of his faithful, remained, together also with his wife named Angelberga and many of them likewise.

Circa haec tempora in Vulgarorum gens divina aspiracio accensa est, quatenus christiani fierent et Christum dominum colerent, quoniam tantus amor caritatis in eorum regem pervenit, ut per se ipse ad aecclesiam beati Petri Roma venisset, et ibi dona obtulit, et a domno papa Nicholaus catholica fide munitus, divinitatis scientiae instructus, baptizatus et fide sancta confirmatus, recepit doctores ab eodem domno apostolico, suam reversus est patriam.

Around these times in the people of the Vulgares a divine aspiration was kindled, so that they should become Christians and worship Christ as Lord, for so great a love of charity came upon their king that he himself of his own accord had come to the church of Blessed Peter at Rome, and there offered gifts; and being fortified by the catholic faith by Lord Pope Nicholas, instructed in the science of divinity, baptized and confirmed in the holy faith, he received teachers from that same apostolic lord and returned to his homeland.

14. Igitur dum domnus Hludowicus cum suis Bari custodirent, nuncii venerant de finibus Calabriae dicentes: Domine imperator, vestri esse volumus, et per vestram defensionem salvi fore confidimus. Gens Sarracinorum venerunt, terra nostra dissipaverunt, civitates desolaverunt, aecclesias suffuderunt; tantum ad vos petimus, ut des nos caput confortacionis, qui nos adiuvent et confortent. Sacramenta vobis damus, tributa solvimus.

14. Therefore, while Lord Hludowicus with his men were guarding Bari, envoys had come from the borders of Calabria saying: Lord Emperor, we wish to be yours, and we trust to be saved by your defence. The people of the Saracens have come, have scattered our land, laid waste the cities, poured over the churches; we only beg of you that you give us a head of strengthening, one who will help and comfort us. We give you sacraments, we pay tributes.

Tunc domnus imperator misericordia motus, non gaudens cupiditatis eorum promissa, sed de illorum dolens malitia, elegit strenuis et nobilissimis viris, Hotone de finibus Bergomensis, Oschis et Gariardus episcopis, et confortavit eos domnus imperator et dixit: Ite in pace fideles Christi, angelus Domini bonus comitetur vobiscum, ut et ego videam vos et labores quam vobis inpono merear! Tunc simul cum ipsis missis perrexerunt, et unde egerunt firmitatis sacramenta receperunt, et adunantes secum magis ac magis fideles populus. Cumque venerunt in quendam valle, ubi ipsis Sarracini fidentes absque ullo timore, annonam metentes, simul cum captivi quas habebant, tunc christiani inruentes super illos, et Sarracini quanti ibi invenerunt occiderunt, et captivi liberaverunt.

Then the lord emperor, moved by misericordia, not rejoicing in their promises of cupiditas, but grieving over their malice, chose valiant and most noble men, Hotone of the borders of Bergomensis, Oschis and Gariardus, bishops, and the lord emperor conforted them and said: Go in peace, faithful of Christ; may the good angel of the Lord accompany you, that I may also see you and may deserve the labors which I lay upon you! Then, having been sent together with them, they proceeded, and received the sacramental pledges of firmness from those whence they had gone out, and gathering with them the faithful people more and more. And when they came into a certain valley, where the Sarracini, trusting in them without any fear, were harvesting the grain, together with the captives which they had, then the Christians rushing upon them killed as many Sarracini as they found there, and liberated the captives.

Ut haec audivit eorum principe, Cincimo nomine, de Civitate Amantea obviam eorum exiit, praeparatus viriliter. Et exinde Franci comperti sunt, et iungentes hii ex una parte et illi ex altera, facta est strages magna Sarracinorum, qui fuga petiens; christiani vero post eos, interficientes usque ad portam civitatis. Oto vero et praedicti episcopi et suorum secutores triumphatores reversi sunt ad domno imperatore.

When their prince heard this, named Cincimus, he sallied forth from the city of Amantea to meet them, manfully prepared. And thence the Franks were discovered, and joining—these on one side and those on the other—a great slaughter of the Saracens was made, those seeking flight; and the Christians pursued after them, killing as far as the gate of the city. Oto indeed, and the aforesaid bishops and their followers, returned triumphant to the lord emperor.

Imperator vero magnum gavisus est gaudium, honorem dignitatis eorum tribuit.

The emperor, moreover, greatly rejoicing, bestowed upon them the honor of their dignity.

15. Cincimo vero de suis et patriae suae adiutorium colligentes multitudo Sarracini, iter pergentes, Bari secum euntes, multa dispendia adiutorium soldani. Erat eorum nunciatum, quod christiani celebrarent magnum diem festum, sicut erat, hoc est nativitas domini nostri Iesu Christi, dicentes : Deum suum colunt die illa; neque pugnaturi neque arma levaturi sunt. Eamus super illos, compreaendamus omnes in simplicitate sua!

15. Cincimo, however, having gathered help from his own and from his fatherland, a multitude of Saracens, journeying with the men of Bari going with them, brought to the soldan aid at great expense. It was reported to them that the Christians would celebrate a great feast day, as indeed they were, that is, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying: “They worship their God on that day; they will neither fight nor take up arms.” “Let us go upon them, seize all in their simplicity!”

Hoc consilium domno imperatori nunciatum est. Tunc moniti, ut gallotinnio matutinis et summo diluculo episcopis et sacerdotibus missarum sollemnia celebrarent, et populus communionem vel benedictionem acciperent, sicuti et fecerunt. Et exierunt querentes Sarracini, et illis querentes Franci iuncti sunt in loco ä Factus est sonitus magnus clangore buccine, innita equorum, strepitus populorum.

This counsel was announced to the lord emperor. Then, being warned, that at cockcrow in the mornings and at the first dawn the bishops and priests should celebrate the solemnities of the masses, and that the people should receive communion or a blessing, as indeed they did. And the Saracens went out searching, and the Franks searching for them were joined at the place. A great sound was made — the clang of the trumpet, the neighing of horses, the tumult of the peoples.

Cumque prope se coniungerent, fideles Christi oraverunt dicentes: Domine Iesu Christe, tu dixisti: Qui manducat carnem meam et bibit sanguinem meum, in me manet, et ego in eum; ergo si tu nobiscum, quid contra nos? Statim commissum est praelium. Cumque forti intencione pugnantes, arma celestis confortavit christianos; pagani vero terga vertentes fugire ceperunt.

And when they were about to join, the faithful of Christ prayed, saying: Lord Jesus Christ, you said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him; therefore if you are with us, what can be against us?” Immediately the battle was joined. And fighting with brave intention, the arms of heaven strengthened the Christians; but the pagans, turning their backs, began to flee.

Christiani autem post eos cedentes, non cessabant, donec multitudo paganorum interficerent, et stipendia quicquid soldani pergebat tullerint. Soldanus haec audiens, metus magnus tristare cepit. Sequenti mense Februario, quinto expleto anno quod Bari possessas habebat, domnus imperator comprehendit soldanus, et reliqui Sarracini ibi consistentibns interemit, anno 21. indictione 4. Sarracini vero in suorum terra haec audiens, elegentes se fortissimi viri, sicut audivimus viginti milia hominum, dicentes: Grandis ignominiam de occisorum nostrorum consonant; eamus illuc!

The Christians, however, pursuing after them, did not cease until they had slain a multitude of pagans, and borne off whatever stipends the soldan was carrying. The soldan, hearing this, began to be greatly troubled with fear. In the following month, February, the fifth year having been completed of his possession of Bari, the lord emperor seized the soldan, and put to death the remaining Saracens who were encamped there, in the year 21, indiction 4. But the Saracens in their own land, hearing these things, choosing for themselves the most valiant men — as we have heard, twenty thousand men — said: “A great dishonor befits our slain; let us go thither!”

Cumque navigio praepararent, ascenderunt et navigaverunt, et exierunt in finibus Beneventana. Tunc dixerunt per suorum audatiae elationis: Quid nobis fiducie habere debemus in navibus nostris? Dissipemus eas, quia Franci aduersum nos nihil possunt; et sic praevaluerint adversum nos, sine ullo metu in regnum nostrum pergere possunt?

And when they made the ship ready, they boarded and sailed, and went out into the territories of Beneventum. Then, puffed up by the elation of their audacity, they said: What confidence should we have in our ships? Let us destroy them, for the Franks can do nothing against us; and if thus they should prevail against us, can they, without any fear, proceed into our kingdom?

Et dictis factis, Franci querere ceperunt. Nunciatum id est domno imperatori, qui statim mittens principibus suis Hunroch, Agefrid et Boso, cum electa manu Francorum et Langobardorum vel ceterorum nationes. Iungentes se in loco ad sanctum Martinum, ad strada scilicet prope Capua ad Vulturno, acies hinc et inde, utraque partis forti intenciones pugnantes, Dei adiuvante misericordia Sarracini devicti et debellati sunt multitudo innumerabiles; quia quod gladius non interemit, in fluvio Vulturno negati sunt, reliqui fuga vis evaderunt.

And when these things had been said and done, the Franks began to ask for battle. This was announced to the lord emperor, who at once sent to his princes Hunroch, Agefrid, and Boso, with a chosen hand of Franks and Langobards and other nations. Joining themselves in the place at Saint Martin, namely on the road near Capua by the Vulturno, battle-lines here and there — both sides fighting with brave intent — by the aiding mercy of God the Saracens were vanquished and routed, innumerable multitudes; for what the sword did not cut down were overwhelmed in the river Vulturno, the rest escaped by the force of flight.

Sic Dei iudicio complacuit; qui venerant exaltati, facti sunt humiliati.

Sic, by the judgment of God, it pleased; those who had come exalted were made humbled.

16. Ad haec victoria patrata, domnus imperator in Beneventi palatio sedebat. Tunc Adelchis principatum Beneventanorum regebat, cui imperator se et omnia credebat, et dilectione caritatis inter se diliebat. Anticus hostis, qui semper contra dilectionem inimicitiam querit, exsurgentes per malos homines, inter se occulte dicentes: Quid grabati sumus sub potestatem Francorum?

16. With this victory accomplished, the lord emperor was sitting in the palace of Beneventum. Then Adelchis was ruling the principality of the Beneventans, to whom the emperor entrusted himself and all things, and they loved one another in the affection of charity. The ancient enemy, who always seeks enmity against affection, rising up through wicked men, secretly saying among themselves: “Why have we been brought under the power of the Franks?”

Taliter Beneventani per fraudem uno consilio ingerunt, ut rederent malum pro bonum; quatenus ubicumque fidelissimi imperatores invenissent, ibi custodirent, et ad imperatorem non dimisissent redirent. Erant enim Franci separati per castellas vel civitates, fidentes absque ullo terrore, credentes fide Beneventanorum. Fuit autem iste contrarius discessionis dies 35; Idus Augusti usque ad quintodecimum Kalendas Octobres indictione 5. Sed Deus, qui domno imperatore ad regni gubernacula imperialis ordinaverat, cum ipso erat, sicut legitur: "Cor regis in manu Dei est". Et taliter fideles suos ad eum venire fecit.

Thus by deceit the Beneventans in one counsel so contrived that they should render evil for good; whereby wherever they found the most faithful emperors, there they kept watch, and would not permit them to return to the emperor. For the Franks were separated by castles or cities, trusting without any terror, believing the fidelity of the Beneventans. Moreover that hostile day of departure was 35; from the Ides of August until the fifteenth day before the Kalends of October, in the indiction 5. But God, who had ordained the lord emperor to the imperial helm of the kingdom, was with him, as it is written: "The heart of the king is in the hand of God." And thus he made his faithful come to him.

Caelestis timor autem super Beneventanos inruit; vix illorum fuit, ut pacifice potuissent illos dimitterent. Qui letabundi a domno imperatore reversi sunt. Eodem anno evoluto, multa signa monstrata sunt.

A celestial fear, however, fell upon the Beneventans; it was scarcely possible for them to dismiss them peaceably. They, rejoicing, returned from the lord emperor’s presence. With that same year having elapsed, many signs were shown.

Vinum quomodo vindemiatum et intra vascula misso, statim turbulentus, qui dicitur versio, fuit. In ipso pascha Domini per arbores vel folia et reliqua loca parebat quasi terra pluvisset; sequenti autem 4. Nonas Magi pruina cecidit, multe vites in planis locis seu in vallibus palmites cum uva siccaverunt, similiter et silves tenerrimum cum sua folia aride facte sunt. Sequenti autem mense Augusto multarum locustarum advenit de Vicentina partibus in finibus Bresiana, deinde in Cremonensis finibus; inde vero perrexerunt in Laudensis partibus, sive etiam in Mediolanensis.

How the wine, when it had been harvested and put into small vessels, immediately became turbulent — what is called versio — is told. At the very Pascha of the Lord it appeared on trees and leaves and other places as if the earth had rained; but on the following 4. Nonas Magi a frost fell, and many vines in the plains or in the valleys the young shoots with their grapes dried up, likewise the very tender wood with its leaves became arid. In the following month, August, a great swarm of locusts arrived from the Vicentine parts into the borders of Bresia, then into the borders of Cremona; thence they proceeded into the Laudense parts, and even into the Milanese.

Erant enim unates pergentibus, sicut Salamon dixit: "Locusta regem non habent, set per turmas ascendunt". Devastaverunt enim multa granas minutas, id est milio vel panico. Completi anno centesimo ex co Francorum gens Italia ingressi sunt, anno domni Hludovici imperatoris 23. et mens. 4. indictione 6. finita.

For there were swarms moving about, as Solomon said: "Locusta regem non habent, sed per turmas ascendunt." They devastated many small grains, that is millet or panicum. When the one hundredth year was completed from that time the Franks entered Italy; in the year of our Lord Emperor Louis 23 and month 4, the indiction 6 having ended.

Ingrediente 7. indictione, hoc est anni ab incarnationis domini nostri Iesu Christi octogenti septuaginta tres transacti, imperator vero veniens de finibus Beneventana post multa victoria super Sarracini facta.

With the 7th indiction beginning, that is, the year 873 since the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ having passed, the emperor, however, coming from the bounds of Benevento after many victories won over the Saracens.

17. Igitur post annum, hoc est indictione 8. stella cometis in caelo comparuit, similitudo radientibus longinque caude per totum mense Iunium, mane et vespere. Deinde de in mense Iulio Sarracini venerunt, et civitate Cummaclo igne cremaverunt. Sequenti autem mense Augusto Hludowicus imperator defunctus est, pridie Idus Augusti in finibus Bresiana.

17. Therefore, after a year, that is in indiction 8, a comet-star appeared in the sky, resembling radiant beams with a long tail throughout the whole month of June, morning and evening. Then, in the month of July the Saracens came and burned the city Cummaclo with fire. In the following month of August Emperor Hludowicus died, on the day before the Ides of August (12 August) at the borders of Bresiana.

Antonius vero, Bresciane episcopus, tulit corpus eius, et posuit eum in sepulchro in ecclesia sanctae Mariae, ubi corpus sancti Filastrici quiescit. Anspertus Mediolanensis archiepiscopus mandans ei per archidiaconum suum, ut reddat corpus illud; ille autem noluit. Tunc mandans Garibaldi Bergomensis episcopus et Benedicti Cremonensis episcopus cum suorum sacerdotes et cuncto clero venire, sicut ipse archiepiscopus faciebat.

Antonius, the Brescian bishop, however, took his body and placed him in a sepulchre in the church of Saint Mary, where the body of Saint Filastricus rests. Anspertus, Archbishop of Mediolanum, commanding him by his archdeacon to restore that body, yet he refused. Then the archbishop ordered Garibaldus, bishop of Bergamo, and Benedict, bishop of Cremona, to come with their priests and with the entire clergy, as the archbishop himself was doing.

Episcopis vero ita fecerunt et illuc perrexerunt; trahentes eum a terra et mirifice condientes, dies quinto post transitum in pharetro posuerunt, cum omni honore, hymnis Deo psallentibus, in Mediolanum perduxerunt. Veritatem in Christo loquor: ibi fui et partem aliquam portavi, et cum portantibus ambulavi a flumine qui dicitur Oleo usque ad flumen Adua. Adductus igitur in civitate cum magno honore et lacrimabili fletu, in ecclesia beati Ambrosii confessoris sepelierunt die septimane suae.

The bishops accordingly did this and went thither; drawing him from the ground and wondrously anointing him, on the fifth day after his passing they laid him on a bier, and with all honour, singing hymns to God, conducted him into Mediolanum. I speak the truth in Christ: I was there and bore some part, and walked with the bearers from the river called Oleo as far as the river Adua. Brought therefore into the city with great honour and tearful lamentation, they buried him in the church of blessed Ambrosius the Confessor on the seventh day.

Qui imperavit annos 32, id est vivente patre annos 12, post mortem patris annos 20.

Who reigned 32 years, that is 12 years while his father lived, and 20 years after his father's death.

18. Post cuius obitum magna tribulatio in Italia advenit. Colligentes se maiores nati in civitate Ticino simul cum Angelberga suorum regina mense Septembri indictione nona, et pravum agentes consilium, quatenus ad duo mandarent regnum, id est Karoli in Francia et Hludovico in Baioaria; sicut et fecerunt. Tunc Karolus veniens, nesciens de Hludovico.

18. After whose death a great tribulation came upon Italy. The elders born in the city of Ticino, gathering together with Angelberga their queen in the month of September, in indiction 9, and devising a perverse counsel, so that they might entrust the kingdom to two, that is to Karolus in France and Hludovico in Bavaria; as they did. Then Karolus coming, unaware of Hludovico.

Hludovicus nesciebat quod Karolus venisset, misit filium suum Karolus nomine, propter distantiam homines ceperunt Karoleto nominare. Karolo rex veniens Papiam, Karolito in finibus Mediolanensis. Cuique cum de patruum suum compertum fuisset quod esset in Papia, ceperunt homines qui se Carlito coniunxerunt multa malitia facere; hoc est Beringherio cum reliqua multitudo statim venerunt in finibus Bergomensis, residente in monasterio Fara per aebdomada una, domibus devastantes, adulteria vel incendia facientes.

Hludovicus did not know that Karolus had come; he sent his son, named Karolus; because of the distance people began to call him Karoleto. King Karolus having come to Pavia, Karolito was in the bounds of the Milanese. And when it became known to each that his uncle was indeed in Pavia, the men who had joined themselves to Carlito began to commit much malice; that is, Beringherio with the remaining multitude immediately came into the confines of Bergamo, residing in the monastery Fara for one week, devastating houses, committing adulteries or setting fires.

Tunc multi Bergomensis relinquentes domos suas plena vino et anona, tantum cum uxuribus et paramentum in civitate vel in montibus perrexerunt. Karolus rex haec audiens, statim prae ipsis malefactores cum multitudo populorum perrexit de finibus Bergomensis in Bresiana, inde in Verona, inde vero in Mantua. Karlito perrexit in Baioaria.

Then many of the people of Bergamo, leaving their houses full of wine and grain, departed into the city or into the mountains with only their wives and their household goods; King Karolus, hearing this, immediately set out himself, ahead of those malefactors, with a multitude of people from the confines of Bergamo into the territory of Brescia, thence to Verona, and thence indeed to Mantua. Karlito proceeded into Bavaria.

Tunc Karloman, germanus eius, obviam veniens Karoli rex barbani sui, ad fluvium qui dicitur Brenta, et pacificis verbis se ad invicem salutaverunt, et pactum usque in mensem Madio firmaverunt. Carlomannus ivit in Baioaria. Karolus rex perrexit ad Romam, et ad ecclesiam beati Petri dona obtulit ab apostolico Iohanne unctus, et honore imperii coronatus, in Papia reversus est, mense Ianuario, suprascripta indictione nona.

Then Karloman, his brother, coming to meet King Karolus, his kinsman, at the river called Brenta, with peaceful words they greeted one another, and they confirmed a pact until the month of May. Karlomannus went into Bavaria. King Karolus proceeded to Rome, and to the church of Blessed Peter he offered gifts; anointed by the apostolic John, and crowned with the honor of the empire, he returned to Pavia in the month of January, in the above‑written ninth indiction.

19. Cumque idem Karolus imperator de Roma reversus in Papia sederet, audivit quod Karlomannus, Hludovici filius, contra eum veniret; cumque exercitum suum adunare vellet et cum eo bellum gerere, quidam de suis, in quorum fidelitatem maxime confidebat, ab eo defecti, ad Carlemannum se coniungebat. Quod ille videns, fugam iniit et Galliam repedavit, statimque in ipso itinere mortuus est. Carlomannus vero regnum Italie disponens, post non multum tempus ad patrem in Baioariam reversus est.

19. And when the same Charles the Emperor, returned from Rome, sat in Pavia, he heard that Carloman, son of Louis, was coming against him; and when he wished to muster his army and carry on war with him, some of his own, in whose fidelity he most confided, having deserted him, joined themselves to Carloman. Seeing this, he took flight and retreated into Gaul, and immediately on that very journey died. Carloman, meanwhile, arranging the kingdom of Italy, after not much time returned to his father in Bavaria.

Inter haec Hludovicus rex...

Meanwhile King Hludovicus (Louis)...