Gregory of Tours: LIBRI HISTORIARUM

Igitur Chrodigildis regina, plena dierum bonisque operibus praedita, apud urbem Toronicam obiit tempore Iniuriosi episcopi. Quae Parisius cum magno psallentio deportata, in sacrario basilicae sancti Petri ad latus Chlodovechi regis sepulta est a filiis suis, Childebertho atque Chlothachario regibus. Nam basilicam illam ipsa construxerat; in qua et Genuveifa beatissima est sepulta.

Therefore Queen Chrodigildis, full of days and endowed with good works, died near the city Toronicam in the time of Bishop Iniuriosi. She was borne to Paris with great psalmody, and in the shrine of the basilica of Saint Peter was buried at the side of King Chlodovech by her sons, the kings Childeberth and Chlothachar. For she herself had built that basilica; in which also the most blessed Genuveifa is buried.

2. Quod Chlothacharius fructuum eclesiis auferre voluit.

2. That Chlothachar wished to take away the fruits from the churches.

Quod Chlothacharius rex tertiam partem fructuum eclesiis auferre voluit.

Concerning the fact that King Chlothachar wished to take away a third part of the fruits from the churches.

Denique Chlothacharius rex indixerat, ut omnes eclesiae regni sui tertiam partem fructuum fisco dissolverent. Quod, licet inviti, cum omnes episcopi consensissent atque subscripsissent, viriliter hoc beatus Iniuriosus respuens, subscribere dedignatus est, dicens: 'Si volueris res Dei tollere, Dominus regnum tuum velociter aufret, quia iniquum est, ut pauperes, quos tuo debes alere horreo, ab eorum stipe tua horrea repleantur'. Et iratus contra regem nec valedicens abscessit. Tunc commotus rex, timens etiam virtutem beati Martini, misit post eum cum muneribus, veniam praecans et hoc quod fecerat damnans, simulque et rogans, ut pro se virtutem beati Martini antestites exoraret.

Finally King Chlothacharius had ordered that all the churches of his kingdom should render a third part of their fruits to the fiscus. Which, though unwilling, since all the bishops had consented and had subscribed, the blessed Iniuriosus, manfully rejecting this, disdained to subscribe, saying: 'If you will take away the goods of God, the Lord will swiftly take away your kingdom, for it is unjust that the poor, whom you ought to nourish from your granary, should have their subsistence replenished by your barns.' And, angry with the king, he departed without taking leave. Then the king, moved and even fearing the virtue of the blessed Martin, sent after him with gifts, begging pardon and condemning what he had done, and at the same time entreating that he would beseech the virtue of the blessed Martin to testify on his behalf.

3. De uxoribus ac filiis eius.

3. Concerning his wives and his sons.

Denique ipse rex de diversis mulieribus septim filius habuit, id est de Ingunde Guntharium, Childericum, Chariberthum, Gunthchramnum, Sigyberthum et Chlothsindam filiam; de Aregundem vero, sororem Ingundis, Chilpericum; de Chunsinam habuit Chramnum. Quae autem causa fuerit, ut uxoris suae sororem acciperet, dicam. Cum iam Ingundem in coniugio accipisset et eam unico amore diligeret, suggestionem ab ea accepit, dicentes: 'Fecit dominus meus de ancilla sua quod libuit et suo me stratui adscivit.

Finally the king himself had seven sons by different women, that is, by Ingunde: Guntharius, Childeric, Charibert, Gunthchramn, Sigibert, and a daughter Chlothsinda; by Aregunda, Ingunde’s sister, Chilperic; by Chunsina he had Chramn. And what the cause was that he should receive his wife’s sister I will relate. When he had already taken Ingunde in marriage and loved her with sole affection, he received a suggestion from her, saying: “My lord has done with his handmaid what pleased him, and has taken me to his bed.”

Nunc ad conplendam mercide, quid famula tua suggerat, audiat dominus meus rex. Praecor, ut sorore meae, servae vestrae, utilem atque habentem virum ordinare dignimini, unde non humilier, sed potius exaltata servire fidelius possem'. Quod ille audiens, cum esset nimium luxoriosus, in amore Aregundis incedit et ad villam, in qua ipsa resedebat, dirigit eamque sibi in matrimonio sociavit. Quae accepta, ad Ingundem rediens, ait: 'Tractavi mercidem illam inplere, quam me tua dulcitudo expetiit.

Now, to complete the mercede which your handmaid suggests, let my lord the king hear. I beseech that you deign to ordain my sister, your slave, useful and possessing a husband, whence I may serve not more humiliated but rather exalted more faithfully.' Which he hearing, since he was overly luxoriosus (luxurious/lustful), advanced in his love for Aregunda and directed himself to the villa in which she was residing, and joined her to himself in marriage. She having been accepted, returning to Ingunda, said: 'I have arranged to fulfil that mercede which your sweetness demanded of me.'

Et requirens virum divitem atque sapientem, quem tuae sorori deberem adiungere, nihil melius quam me ipsum inveni. Itaque noveris, quia eam coniugem accepi, quod tibi displicere non credo'. At illa: 'Quod bonum', inquid, 'videtur in oculis domini mei, faciat; tantum ancilla tua cum gratia regis vivat'. Guntharius vero, Chramnus atque Childericus vivente patre mortui sunt. Exitum vero Chramni in posterum scripsimus.

And seeking a husband rich and wise, whom I ought to join to your sister, I found nothing better than myself. So know that, since I have taken her as a wife—which I do not think will displease you.' But she: 'What seems good,' she said, 'in the eyes of my lord, let him do; only deign that your handmaid may live with the king's favour.' Guntharius indeed, Chramnus and Childeric died while their father was still living. The fate of Chramnus, however, we have written in what follows.

Alboenus quoque rex Langobardorum Chlothsindam, filiam regis, accepit. Obiit autem Iniuriosus episcopus urbis Turonicae decimo et septimo episcopatus sui anno; cui Baudinus ex domestico Chlothachari regis successit, decimus sextus post obitum beati Martini.

Alboenus also, king of the Langobards, took Chlothsinda, the king’s daughter. Bishop Iniuriosus of the city of Tours died in the seventeenth year of his episcopate; and Baudinus, from the household of King Chlothachar, succeeded him, being the sixteenth after the death of blessed Martin.

4. De Brinctanorum comitibus.

4. Concerning the counts of the Brinctani.

Chanao quoque Brittanorum comes tres fratres suos interfecit. Volens autem adhuc Macliavum interfecere, conpraehensum atque catenis oneratum in carcere retinebat. Qui per Filicem Namneticum episcopum a morte liberatus est.

Chanao also, count of the Britons, killed his three brothers. And, still wishing to kill Macliavus, he had him seized and, loaded with chains, detained in prison. He was delivered from death by Filicemus Namneticus, the bishop.

Post haec iuravit fratri suo, ut ei fidelis esset; sed nescio quo casu sacramentum inrumpere voluit. Quod Chanao sentiens, iterum eum persequebatur. At ille, cum se evadere non posse videret, post alium comitem regiones illius fugit, nomen Chonomorem.

After this he swore to his brother that he would be faithful to him; but I know not by what chance he wished to break the sacrament. Chanao, perceiving this, pursued him again. But he, when he saw that he could not escape, fled from those regions with another companion, named Chonomor.

His cum sentiret persecutores eius adpropinquare, sub terra eum in loculo abscondit, conponens desuper ex more tumulum parvumque ei spiraculum reservans, unde alitum resumere possit. Advenientibus autem persecutoribus eius, dixerunt: 'Ecce! hic Macliavus mortuos atque sepultus iacet'. Quod illi audientes atque gaudentes et super tumulum illum bibentes, renuntiaverunt fratri, eum mortuum esse.

When he perceived that his persecutors were drawing near, he hid him beneath the earth in a small loculus, fashioning above in the usual way a tomb and reserving for him a little spiraculum, whence he might take up breath. But when his persecutors arrived, they said, 'Behold! here Macliavus lies dead and buried.' Hearing this and rejoicing, and drinking over that tomb, they reported to his brother that he was dead.

Quod ille audiens, regnum eius integrum accepit. Nam semper Brittani sub Francorum potestatem post obitum regis Chlodovechi fuerunt, et comites, non regis appellati sunt. Macliavus autem de sub terra consurgens, Veneticam urbem expetiit ibique tonsoratus et episcopus ordinatus est.

Hearing this, he received his kingdom intact. For the Britons were ever under the power of the Franks after the death of King Clovis, and were called counts, not kings. But Macliavus, rising up from beneath the earth, made for the Venetian city and there, having been tonsured, was ordained a bishop.

Mortuo autem Chanaone, hic apostatavit, et dimissis capillis, uxorem, quam post clericatum reliquerat, cum regno fratris simul accepit, sed ab episcopis excommunicatus est. Cui qualis fuerit interitus, sequenter scribemus. Obiit autem Baudinus episcopus anno sexto episcopatus sui.

But when Chanaon had died, he apostatized, and, his hair having been shorn, he received together with his brother’s kingdom the wife whom he had left after clerical ordination, yet he was excommunicated by the bishops. What sort of demise befell him we shall write next. Bishop Baudinus, however, died in the 6th year of his episcopate.

In cuius loco Guntharius abba subrogatur, XVII. post transitum sancti Martini.

In whose place Guntharius is appointed abbot, 17 years after the passing of Saint Martin.

5. De sancto Gallo episcopo.

5. Concerning Saint Gall, bishop.

Denique cum beatus Quintianus, sicut supra diximus, ab hoc mundo migratus est, sanctus Gallus in eius cathedram, rege opitulante, substitutus est. Huius tempore cum lues illa quam inguinariam vocant per diversas regiones desaeviret et maxime tunc Arelatensim provinciam depopularet, sanctus Gallus non tantum pro se quantum pro populo suo trepidus erat. Cumque die noctuque Dominum deprecaretur, ut vivens plebem suam vastari non cernerit, per visum noctis apparuit ei angelus Domini, qui tam caesariem quam vestem in similitudinem nivis candidam efferebat, et ait ad eum: 'Bene enim facis, o sacerdos, quod sic Dominum pro populo tuo supplicas.

Finally, when the blessed Quintianus, as we said above, had departed from this world, Saint Gallus was placed in his chair, the king aiding. In his time, when that pestilence which they call the inguinal disease raged through various regions and especially then devastated the province of Arelate, Saint Gallus was anxious not so much for himself as for his people. And since he prayed to the Lord day and night that, living, he might not behold his people laid waste, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a nocturnal vision, who bore both his tonsure and his garment bright in the likeness of snow, and said to him: 'You do well, O priest, that you thus beseech the Lord for your people.

Exaudita est enim oratia tua; et ecce! eris cum populo tuo ab hac infirmitate liberatus, nullusque te vivente in regione ista ab hac strage deperiet. Nunc autem ne timeas; post octo vero annos time'. Unde manifestum fuit, transactis his annis eum a saeculo discessisse.

Your prayers have indeed been heard; and behold! you shall be delivered with your people from this sickness, and no one while you live in this region shall perish from this plague. Now therefore do not fear; but after 8 years, fear.' Whence it was manifest, those years having been passed, that he had departed from the world.

Expergefactus autem et Deo gratias pro hac consolatione agens, quod eum per caelestem nuntium confortare dignatus est, rogationes illas instituit, ut media quadragesima psallendo ad basilicam beati Iuliam martyris itinere pedestri venirent. Sunt autem in hoc itinere quasi stadia 360. Tunc etiam in subita contemplatione parietes vel domorum vel ecclesiarum signari videbantur, unde a rusticis hic scriptos Thau vocabatur.

Roused, and giving thanks to God for this consolation that he had deigned to strengthen him by a heavenly messenger, he instituted those rogations, that in Mid‑Lent they should come by chanting on a pedestrian journey to the basilica of blessed Julia the martyr. There are in this route about 360 stadia. Then also, in a sudden vision, the walls either of houses or of churches seemed to be marked, whence among the rustics this place written was called Thau.

Cum autem regiones illas, ut diximus, lues illa consumeret, ad civitatem Arvernam, sancti Galli intercedente oratione, non attigit. Unde ego non parvam censeo gratiam, qui hoc meruit, ut pastor positus oves suas devorari defendente Domino non videret. Cum autem ab hoc mundo migrasset et ablutus in ecclesia deportatus fuisset, Cato presbiter continuo a clericis de episcopatu laudes accepit; et omnem rem ecclesiae, tamquam si iam esset episcopus, in sua redegit potestate, ordinatores removet, ministros respuit, cuncta per se ordinat.

When that pestilence was consuming those regions, as we have said, it did not reach the Arvernian city, by the interceding prayer of Saint Gall. Whence I reckon no small grace for him who deserved this, that the pastor set over them should not see his sheep devoured, the Lord defending them. But when he had departed from this world and, having been washed, had been borne into the church, Cato the presbyter immediately received from the clerics praises concerning the episcopate; and he gathered the whole matter of the church, as if he were already bishop, into his own power, he removes ordainers, rejects ministers, and arranges all things by himself.

6. De Catone presbytero.

6. Concerning Cato the presbyter.

Episcopi tamen qui advenerant ad sanctum Gallum sepeliendum, postquam eum sepelierant, dixerunt Catoni presbitero: 'Videmus, quia te valde diligit pars maxima populorum; veni, consenti nobis, et benedicentes consecremus te ad episcopatum. Rex vero parvulus est, et si qua tibi adscribitur culpa, nos suscipientes te sub defensione nostra, cum proceribus et primis regni Theodovaldi regis agemus, ne tibi ulla excitetur iniuria. Nobis quoque in tantum fideliter crede, ut spondeamus pro te omnia, etiamsi damni aliquid supervenerit, de nostris propriis facultatibus id reddituros' . Ad haec ille coturno vanae conflatus gloriae, ait: 'Nostis enim fama currente, me ab initio aetatis meae semper religiose vixisse, vacasse ieiuniis, elemosinis delectatum fuisse, continuatas saepius exercuisse vigilias, psallentio vero iugi crebra perstitisse statione nocturna.

The bishops, however, who had come to bury Saint Gallus, after they had buried him, said to Cato the presbyter: "We see that the greatest part of the people loves you greatly; come, consent with us, and, blessing, we will consecrate you to the episcopate. The king, however, is very young, and if any fault is ascribed to you, we, receiving you under our protection, will with the nobles and chiefs of King Theodovald's realm act so that no injury be raised against you. Also trust us so faithfully that we will pledge for you everything, even if some loss should befall, we will repay that from our own private resources." To these things he, inflated with the coturnus of vain glory, said: "For you know, the rumor running, that from the beginning of my age I have always lived religiously, devoted myself to fasts, been delighted in alms, oftentimes practiced continuous vigils, and with psalmody indeed have persisted in frequent nightly standing.

Nec me dominus Deus meus patitur ab hac ordinatione privari, cui tantum famulatum exibui. Nam et ipsos clericati grados canonica sum semper institutione sortitus. Lector decim annis fui, subdiaconatus officium quinque annis ministravi, diaconatui vero quindecim annis mancipatus fui, presbiterii, inquam, honorem viginti annis potior.

Nor does my Lord God permit me to be deprived of this ordination, to which I have rendered so much service. For I have also always, by canonical institution, obtained the very grades of the clericacy. I was lector for 10 years, I discharged the office of subdeacon for 5 years, I was bound to the diaconate for 15 years, and the honor of the priesthood, I say, I have possessed for 20 years.

Quid enim mihi nunc restat, nisi ut episcopatum, quem fidelis servitus promeretur, accipiam? Vos igitur revertimini ad civitates vestras, et si quid utilitati vestrae conpetit, exercete; nam ego canonice adsumpturus sum hunc honorem' . Haec audientes episcopi et in eum vanam gloriam exsecrantes, discesserunt.

For what now remains for me, except that I receive the episcopate, which faithful service has deserved? Therefore return to your cities, and if there is anything fitting for your utility, exercise it; for I will take up this honor canonically.' Hearing these things, the bishops, cursing his vain glory, departed.

7. De episcopatu Cautini.

7. Concerning the bishopric of Cautinus.

Igitur cum consensu clericorum ad episcopatum electus, cum adhuc non ordinatus cunctis ipse praeesset, Cautino archidiacono diversas minas intendere coepit, dicens: 'Ego te removebo, ego te humiliabo, ego tibi multas neces impendi praecipiam'. Cui ille: 'Gratiam', inquid, 'tuam, domne piissime, habere desidero; quam si mereor, unum tibi beneficium praestabo. Sine ullo enim labore tuo et absque ullo dolo ego ad regem pergam et episcopatum tibi obtineam, nihil petens, nisi promerear gratiam tuam'. At ille suspicans, eum sibi velle inludere, haec valde despexit. Hic vero cum se cerneret humiliari atque calumniae subieci, languore simulato et per noctem civitatem egrediens, ad Theodovaldum regem petiit, adnuntians transitum sancti Galli.

Therefore, when by the consent of the clerics he was chosen to the episcopate, and though not yet ordained he himself presided over all, he began to direct various threats at Cautinus the archdeacon, saying: "I will remove you, I will humble you, I will order many violences to be inflicted upon you." To whom he replied: "I desire to have your grace, most pious lord; which, if I deserve it, I will grant you one benefit. For without any labour of yours and without any deceit I will go to the king and obtain the episcopate for you, asking nothing, unless I be shown your favour." But that man, suspecting that he wished to mock him, despised these words greatly. This one, however, when he perceived himself to be humiliated and subjected to slander, feigning sickness and by night leaving the city, sought King Theodovaldus, announcing the arrival (transit) of Saint Gall.

Quod ille audiens vel qui cum eo erant, convocatis sacerdotibus apud Metensem civitatem, Cautinus archidiaconus episcopus ordinatur. Cum autem venissent nuntii Catonis presbiteri, hic iam episcopus erat. Tunc ex iussu regis traditis ei clericis et omnia, quae hi de rebus ecclesiae exhibuerant, ordinatisque qui cum eodem pergere deberent episcopis et camerariis, Arverno eum direxerunt.

When he heard this, or those who were with him, having summoned the priests at the city of Metz, Cautinus the archdeacon was ordained bishop. But when the messengers, the presbyter Cato's, had come, he was already bishop. Then, by the king's command, the clerics and all things which these had produced concerning the affairs of the church were handed over to him, and after the bishops and chamberlains who ought to go with him had been ordained, they escorted him to Arvernum.

Qui a civibus et clericis libenter exceptus, episcopus Arvernis est datus. Grandis postea inter ipsum et Catonem presbiterum inimicitiae ortae sunt, quia nullus umquam potuit flectere Catonem, ut episcopo suo subditus esset. Nam et divisio clericorum facta est, et alii Cautino episcopo erant subditi, alii Catoni presbitero; quod eis fuit maximum detrimentum.

Who, being gladly received by the citizens and clerics, was given as bishop to the Arverni. Great enmities afterwards arose between him and Cato the presbyter, because no one ever could bend Cato so that he would be subject to his bishop. For a division of the clerics was made, and some were subject to Cautinus the bishop, others to Cato the presbyter; which was a very great detriment to them.

Cautinus autem episcopus videns, eum nulla ratione posse flecti, ut sibi esset subditus, tam ei quam amicis eius vel quicumque ei consentiebant omnes res ecclesiae abstulit reliquidque eos inanes ac vacuos. Quicumque tamen ex ipsis ad eum convertebantur, iterum quod perdiderant recipiebant.

Cautinus, however, the bishop, seeing that he could by no means be bent so as to be subject to him, stripped him, his friends, and all who consented to him of all the things of the church, and left them empty and void. Yet whoever of them turned to him again recovered what they had lost.

8. De Hispanorum regibus.

8. Concerning the kings of the Spaniards.

Regnante vero Agilane apud Hispaniam, cum populum gravissimo dominationis suae iugo adterriret, exercitus imperatoris Hispanias est ingressus et civitates aliquas pervasit. Interfecto autem Agilane, Athanagildus regnum eius accepit. Qui multa bella contra ipsum exercitum postea egit et eos plerumque devicit, civitatisque, quas male pervaserant, ex parte auferens de potestate eorum.

But in the reign of Agila in Spain, when he was terrifying the people with the most grievous yoke of his domination, the emperor’s army entered the Spains and overran some cities. And with Agila slain, Athanagild received his kingdom. He afterwards waged many wars against that very army and for the most part defeated them, and, by taking away in part the cities which they had badly overrun, removed them from their power.

9. De obitu Theudovaldo.

9. Concerning the death of Theudovaldo.

Theodovaldus vero cum iam adultus esset, Vuldetradam duxit uxorem. Hunc Theodovaldum ferunt mali fuisse ingenii, ita ut iratus cuidam, quem suspectum de rebus suis habebat, fabulam fingeret, dicens: 'Serpens ampullam vino plenam repperit. Per huius enim os ingressus, quod intus habebatur avidus hausit.

Theodovaldus, however, when he was now grown, took Vuldetrada as his wife. They report that this Theodovaldus was of a wicked disposition, so that, being angry with a certain man whom he suspected about his affairs, he fabricated a tale, saying: 'A serpent found a flask full of wine. For having entered through its mouth, and being contained within, it greedily drained [the wine].'

A quo inflatus vino, exire per aditum, quo ingressus fuerat, non valebat. Veniens vero vini dominus, cum ille exire niteretur nec possit, ait ad serpentem: ìEvome prius quod ingluttisti, et tunc poteris abscidere liber". Quae fabula magnum ei timorem atque odium praeparavit. Sub eo enim et Buccelenus, cum totam Italiam in Francorum regno redigisset, a Narsitae interfectus est, Italiam ad partem imperatoris captam, nec fuit qui eam ultra reciperet.

Drunk with wine, he was unable to go out through the passage by which he had entered. But when the master of the wine came, and he strove to get out yet could not, he said to the serpent, "Vomit forth first what you have swallowed, and then you will be able to cut him free." That tale prepared great fear and hatred for him. For under his rule Buccelenus too, when he had reduced all Italy into the kingdom of the Franks, was slain by Narsita; Italy having been seized for the emperor’s party, there was no one who would recover it further.

Sub huius tempore uvas in arbore quem savucum vocamus absque vitis coniunctione natas vidimus, et flores ipsorum arborum, quae nigra, ut nostis, grana proferre solitae sunt, racimorum grana dederunt. Tunc et in circulum lunae quintae stella ex adverso veniens introisse visa est. Credo, haec signa mortem ipsius regis adnuntiasse.

At about this time we saw grapes born on the tree which we call savucum, produced without union with a vine, and the flowers of those trees, which, as you know, are wont to bear black grains, gave the berries of clusters. Then also a star, coming from opposite, was seen to enter the circle of the fifth moon. I believe these signs announced the death of that very king.

Ipse vero valde infirmatus, a cinctura deorsum se iudecare non poterat. Qui paulatim decidens, septimo regni sui anno mortuos est, regnumque eius Chlothacharius rex accepit, copulans Vuldotradam, uxorem eius, stratui suo. Sed increpitus a sacerdotibus, reliquit eam, dans ei Garivaldum ducem, dirigensque Arvernus Chramnum, filium suum.

He himself, however, very weakened, could not gird himself below the cincture. Falling away little by little, in the seventh year of his reign he died, and his kingdom was received by King Chlothachar, who joined Vuldotrada, his wife, to his bed. But, reproved by the priests, he left her, giving her to Duke Garivald, and assigning Chramn, his son, as governor of Auvergne.

10. De rebellione Saxenum.

10. On the rebellion of the Saxons.

Eo anno rebellantibus Saxonibus, Chlothacharius rex, commoto contra eos exercito, maximam eorum partem delevit, pervagans totam Thoringiam ac devastans, pro eo quod Saxonibus solatium praebuissent.

That year, the Saxons being in rebellion, King Chlothacharius, having raised an army against them, destroyed the greater part of them, ranging through all Thuringia and devastating it, because they had afforded succor to the Saxons.

11. Quod Catonem ad episcopatum Turonici petierunt.

11. That they sought Cato for the bishopric of Tours.

Quod Catonem ex iussu regis ad episcopatum Turonici petierunt.

That they sought Caton for the bishopric of Tours by the king’s command.

Decedente vero apud urbem Turonicam Guntharium episcopum, per emissionem, ut ferunt, Cautini episcopi Cato presbiter ad gubernandam Turonicae urbis ecclesiam petebatur. Unde factum est, ut coniuncti clerici cum Leubaste martyrario et abbate cum magno apparatu Arvernum properarent. Cumque Catoni regis voluntatem patefecissent, suspendit eos a responso paucis diebus.

With Bishop Guntharius having died at the city of Turonica, and by the removal, as they say, of Bishop Cautinus, the presbyter Cato was sought to govern the church of the city of Turonica. Whence it came about that the assembled clerics, with Leubastus the martyr and the abbot, with great retinue, hurried to Arvernum. And when they had made known to Cato the king’s will, he suspended them from an answer for a few days.

Hi vero regredi cupientes, dicunt: 'Pande nobis voluntatem tuam, ut sciamus, quid debeamus sequi; alioquin revertimur ad propria. Non enim nostra te voluntate expetivimus, sed regis praeceptione'. At ille, ut erat vanae gloriae cupidus, adunata pauperum caterva, clamorem dari praecepit his verbis: 'Cur nos deseris, bone pater, filios, quos usque nunc edocasti? Quis nos cibo potuque reficiet, si tu abieris?

Those, however, wishing to return, say: 'Lay open to us your voluntas, that we may know what we ought to follow; otherwise we shall return to our own. For we did not seek you by our own will, but by the king's praecept.' But he, as he was desirous of vain gloria, with a gathered throng of paupers, ordered a clamour to be raised with these words: 'Why do you abandon us, good pater, the sons whom you have taught up to now? Who will restore us with food and drink, if you depart?'

Rogamus, ne nos relinquas, quos alere consuesti'. Tunc ille conversus ad clerum Turonicum, ait: 'Videtis nunc, fratres dilectissimi, qualiter me haec multitudo pauperum diligit; non possum eos relinquere et ire vobiscum'. Istud hi responsum accipientes, regressi sunt Turonus. Cato autem amicitias cum Chramno nexuerat, promissionem ab eo accipiens, ut, si contigerit in articulo temporis illius regem mori Chlotharium, statim eiecto Cautino ab episcopatu, iste praeponeretur ecclesiae. Sed qui cathedram beati Martini contemptui habuit, quam voluit non accepit; impletumque est in eo quod David cecinit, dicens: Noluit benedictionem, et prolongabitur ab eo. Erat enim vanitatis coturno elatus, nullum sibi putans in sanctitate haberi praestantiorem.

"Do not leave us, whom you are accustomed to nourish," they begged. Then he, turning to the Turonican clergy, said: "See now, most beloved brothers, how this multitude of the poor loves me; I cannot abandon them and go with you." Receiving this answer, they returned to Turonus. Cato, however, had bound friendships with Chramn, receiving from him a promise that if it should happen, at that crisis of time, that King Chlothar should die, then, Cautinus having been immediately expelled from the episcopate, this man should be set over the church. But he who held the chair of blessed Martin in contempt did not receive it as he wished; and that which David sang was fulfilled in him, saying: He would not have the blessing, and it shall be taken from him. For he was lifted up with the buskin of vanity, thinking that none was more outstanding than he in holiness.

Nam quadam vice conductam pecuniam mulierem clamare fecit in ecclesia quasi per inergiam et se sanctum magnum Deoque carum confiteri, Cautinum autem episcopum omnibus sceleribus criminosum indignumque, qui sacerdotium debuisset adipisci.

For on one occasion he made a woman hired for money cry out in the church, as if through infirmity, and confess herself a great saint and dear to God; and (to cry) that Cautinus the bishop was guilty of all crimes and unworthy to have attained the priesthood.

12. De Anastasio presbytero.

12. Concerning Anastasius the priest.

Denique Cautinus, adsumpto episcopatu, talem se reddidit, ut ab omnibus execraretur, vino ultra modum deditus. Nam plerumque in tantum infundebatur potu, ut de convivio vix a quattuor portaretur. Unde factum est, ut epylenticus fieret in sequenti.

Finally Cautinus, having assumed the episcopate, made himself such that he was execrated by all, devoted to wine beyond measure. For generally he was so steeped in drink that from a banquet he was scarcely carried by four men. Whence it came to pass that he became epileptic on the following day.

Quod saepius populis manifestum fuit. Erat enim et avaritiae in tantum incumbens, ut, cuiuscumque possessionis fines eius termino adhaesissent, interitum sibi putaret, si ab eisdem aliquid non minuisset. Et maioribus quidem cum rixa et scandalo auferebat, a minoribus autem violenter diripiebat.

Which was often plain to the peoples. For he was so bent on avarice that, whenever the boundaries of any possession had adhered to his limit, he thought it would be ruin to him if he did not diminish something from those same bounds. And from his superiors he carried things off with quarrel and scandal, but from his inferiors he tore away violently.

Quibus et a quibus, ut Sollius noster ait, nec dabat pretia contemnens nec accipiebat instrumenta desperans. Erat enim tunc temporis Anastasius presbiter, ingenuus genere, qui per chartas gloriosae memoriae Chrodigildis reginae proprietatem aliquam possidebat. Quem plerumque conventum episcopus rogat suppliciter, ut ei chartas supradictae reginae daret sibique possessionem hanc subderet.

By whom and from whom, as our Sollius says, he neither gave prices, scorning, nor accepted instruments, despairing. For at that time there was Anastasius the presbyter, noble by birth, who by charters possessed some proprietas of the queen Chrodigild of glorious memory. Whom the bishop commonly begs at the convent supplicantly, that he would give him the charters of the aforesaid queen and assign this possession to himself.

Sed ille cum voluntatem sacerdotis sui implere differret eumque episcopus nunc blanditiis provocaret, nunc minis terreret, ad ultimum invitum urbi exhiberi praecepit ibique inpudenter teneri et, nisi instrumenta daret, iniuriis adfici et fame negari iussit. Sed ille virili repugnans spiritu, numquam praebuit instrumenta, dicens, satius sibi esse ad tempus inaedia tabescere quam sobolem in posterum miseram derelinqui. Tunc ex iussu episcopi traditur custodibus, ut, nisi has chartulas proderet, fame necaretur.

But he, delaying to fulfil the will of his sacerdotus, and the bishop now luring him with blandishments, now terrifying him with threats, at last ordered him, unwilling, to be exhibited to the city and there shamelessly to be held, and, unless he gave the instruments, to be afflicted with injuries and denied by hunger. But he, resisting with virile spirit, never produced the instruments, saying that it was better for him to waste away by famine for a time than to leave his offspring miserable hereafter. Then, by the bishop’s command, he was handed over to custodians, that, unless he should surrender these little charters, he might be killed by hunger.

Erat enim ad basilicam sancti Cassii martyris cripta antiquissima abditissimaque, ubi erat sepulchrum magnum ex marmore Phario, in quo grandaevi cuiusdam hominis corpus positum videbatur. In hoc sepulchro super sepultum vivens presbiter sepelitur operiturque lapide, quo prius sarchofagum fuit obtectum, datis ante ostium custodibus. Sed custodes fidi, quod lapide premeretur, cum esset hiems, accenso igne, vino sopiti calido, obdormiunt.

For there was at the basilica of Saint Cassius the martyr a most ancient and most hidden crypt, where there stood a large sepulchre of Pharian marble, in which the corpse of a very aged man seemed to be placed. On this tomb, over the buried, a living presbyter is interred and covered with the stone which had before concealed the sarcophagus, custodians being set before the door. But the faithful guards, because he was pressed by the stone, since it was winter, having kindled a fire and benumbed by warm wine, fall asleep.

At presbiter, tamquam novus Ionas, velut de ventre inferi, ita de conclusione tumuli Domini misericordiam flagitabat. Et quia spatiosum, ut diximus, erat sarchofagum, etsi se integrum vertere non poterat, manus tamen in parte qua voluisset libere extendebat. Manabat enim ex ossibus mortui, ut ipse erat solitus referre, fetor letalis, qui non solum externa, verum etiam interna viscerum quatiebat.

The presbyter, like a new Ionas, as if from the belly of the netherworld, thus begged the mercy of the Lord from the closure of the tomb. And because the sarcophagus, as we said, was spacious, although he could not turn himself whole, yet he freely extended his hands in whatever part he wished. For from the bones of the dead there flowed, as he himself was wont to relate, a lethal fetor, which shook not only the external but even the internal viscera.

Cumque pallium aditus narium obseraret, quamdiu flatum continere poterat, nihil pessimum sentiebat; ubi autem se quasi suffocari potabat, remoto paululum ab ore pallio, non modo per os aut nares, verum etiam per ipsas, ut ita dicam, aures odorem pestiferum hauriebat. Quid plura? Quando Divinitati, ut credo, condoluit, manum dexteram ad spondam sarchofagi tendit, repperitque vectem, qui, decidente opertorio, inter ipsum ac labium sepulchri remanserat.

And while the pallium blocked the entrance of his nostrils, so long as he could hold his breath he felt nothing dire; but when he was almost able to be suffocated, having drawn the pallium a little away from his mouth, he drew in the pestiferous odor not only through his mouth or nostrils, but even through the very ears, so to speak. What more? When, as I believe, he took pity on the Divinity, he stretched out his right hand to the rim of the sarcophagus and found a lever, which, the cover having fallen, had remained between it and the lip of the sepulchre.

Quem paulatim commovens, sensit, cooperante Dei adiutorio, lapidem amoveri. Verum ubi ita remotum fuit, ut presbiter caput foris educeret, maiorem quo totus egreditur aditum liberius patefecit. Interea operientibus nocturnis tenebris diem nec adhuc usquequaque diffusis, ad alium criptae ostium petit.

By gently moving which thing, he perceived, with God's help cooperating, that the stone was being removed. But when it had been so far removed that the presbyter could thrust his head out, he threw open a larger entrance by which he might issue forth wholly and more freely. Meanwhile, the nocturnal coverings of darkness not yet everywhere dispersed by day, he made for another door of the crypt.

Erat enim seris fortissimis clavisque firmissimis obseratum, verumtamen non erat ita levigatum, ut inter tabulas aspicere homo non possit. Ad hos aditus presbiter caput reclinat advertitque hominem viam praetereuntem. Hunc, licet voce tenui, vocat.

For it had been barred with very strong bars and bolted with very firm locks, yet it was not so smoothed that a man could not peer between the boards. To these approaches the presbyter leans back his head and observes a man passing along the road. Him he calls, though with a low voice.

Exaudit ille; nec mora, secure manu tenens, sudes ligneos, quibus serae continebantur, incidit aditumque presbitero patefecit. At ille de nocte praeteriens, ad domum pergit, satis virum obsecrans, ne de hoc cuiquam aliquid enarraret. Domum igitur suam ingressus, inquisitis chartis, quas ei memorata regina tradiderat, ad Chlotharium regem defert, indicans, qualiter ab episcopo suo vivens sepulturae fuerat mancipatus, stupescentibus autem omnibus et dicentibus, numquam vel Neronem vel Herodem tale facinus perpetrasse, ut homo vivens sepulchro reconderetur.

He heard; nor was there delay: holding an axe in a sure hand, he hewed the wooden planks by which the bolts were secured, and opened the entrance for the priest. But he, having passed the night, proceeded to the house, urgently beseeching the man that he relate nothing of this to anyone. Therefore, having entered his house, and after examining the papers which the aforesaid queen had handed him, he carried them to King Chlotharius, recounting how he had been delivered to burial alive by his own bishop; and with all astonished and saying that neither Nero nor Herod ever perpetrated such a deed, that a man alive be reinterred in a sepulcher.

Advenit autem ad Chlotharium regem Cautinus episcopus, sed accusante presbitero, victus confususque discessit. Presbiter autem, acceptis a rege praeceptionibus, res suas ut libuit defensavit posseditque ac suis posteris dereliquit. In Cautino autem nihil sancti, nihil pensi fuit.

But Bishop Cautinus came to King Chlotharius; yet with the priest accusing him, he was overcome, confounded, and departed. The priest, however, having received injunctions from the king, defended his affairs as he pleased, took possession of them, and left them to his posterity. In Cautinus, however, there was nothing holy, nothing of weight.

De omnibus enim scripturis, tam ecclesiasticis quam saecularibus, adplene immunis fuit. Iudaeis valde carus ac subditus erat, non pro salute, ut pastoris cura debet esse sollicita, sed pro comparandis speciebus, quas, cum hic blandiretur et illi se adulatores manifestissime declararent, maiori quam constabant pretio venundabant.

For he was altogether free from all writings, both ecclesiastical and secular. He was very dear to and subservient to the Jews, not for their salvation, as a pastor’s care ought to be solicitous, but for procuring gifts, which, when he courted here and they most manifestly declared themselves flatterers, they sold at a price greater than they were worth.

13. De levitate ac malitia Chramni.

13. On the levity and malice of Chramn.

De levitate ac malitia Chramni, et de Cautino ac Firmino.

On the levity and malice of Chramn, and concerning Cautinus and Firminus.

Chramnus vero his diebus apud Arvernus resedebat. Multae enim causae tunc per eum inrationabiliter gerebantur, et ob hoc acceleratus est de mundo; multum enim maledicebatur a populo. Nullum autem hominem diligebat, a quo consilium bonum utilemque possit accipere, nisi collectis vilibus personis aetate iuvenele fluctuantibus, eosdem tantummodo diligebat, eorumque consilium audiens, ita ut filias senatorum, datis praeceptionibus, eisdem vi detrahi iuberet.

Chramnus, however, in those days was residing at Arvernus. For many matters were then being carried out through him irrationally, and on this account he was hastened from the world; for he was much maligned by the people. He loved no man from whom he could receive a good and useful counsel, but, having gathered base personages wavering in youthful age, he loved only those same men, and, hearing their counsel, so ordered that the daughters of senators, given over by prior instructions, be carried off by force by those very men.

Firminum a comitatum urbis graviter iniuriatum abegit et Salustium, Euvodi filium, subrogavit. Sed Firminus cum socro sua eclesiam petiit. Erant autem quadraginsimae dies, et Cautinus episcopus Brivatensim diocisim psallendo adire disposuerat iuxta institutione sancti Galli, sicut supra scripsimus.

He expelled Firminus, grievously wronged by the city’s comitatus, and substituted Salustius, son of Euvodus. But Firminus, with his father‑in‑law, sought the church. Now there were forty days, and Cautinus, bishop of the Brivatan diocese, had determined to go there psalming in accordance with the institution of Saint Gall, as we wrote above.

Egressus est igitur episcopus ab urbe cum magno fletu, metuens, ne alequid in itinere adversi perferret. Intendebat enim et ipse rex Chramnus moenas. Qui dum iter ageret, misit rex Imnacharium et Scaptharium primus de latere suo, dicens: 'Ite et vi abstrahite Firminum Caesariamque, socrum eius, de eclesia'. Discendente vero episcopo cum psallentio, sicut supra memoravimus, hi qui missi fuerant a Chramno ingrediuntur eclesiam ac Firminum Caesariamquae variis collucutionum dolis mulcere temptant.

Therefore the bishop went forth from the city with great weeping, fearing that he might endure some mischance on the journey. For King Chramnus himself was likewise intent upon the walls, laying siege. And while he was on his way, the king sent Imnacharius and Scaptharius first from his side, saying: 'Go and by force drag away Firminus and Caesaria, his socrus, from the church.' But with the bishop departing with his psallentium, as we have above remembered, those who had been sent by Chramnus entered the church and tried to soothe Firminus and Caesaria with various deceitful blandishments.

Verum ubi diutissime alia ex aliis deambulantes per eclesiam conlocuntur et in hoc qui confugerant intenderent ex animo quae dicebantur, ad regias aedis sacrae, quae tunc reseratae fuerant, adpropinquant. Tunc Imnacharius Firminum, Scaptharius Caesariam adpraehensis inter brachia ab aeclesia eieciunt, paratis pueris, qui susciperent. Quos statim in exilio direxerunt.

But when, after a long while, the others, walking from place to place, were settled about the church and those who had taken refuge there were listening with heart to what was being said, they approached the royal sacred dwelling, which had then been opened. Then Imnacharius, having seized Firminus, and Scaptharius, having seized Caesaria, cast them out of the church between their arms, with boys prepared to receive them. Whom they immediately sent into exile.

Sed die altera depraessis somno costodibus, ipsi se liberos sentientes, ad beati Iuliani basilicam confugiunt, et sic ab exilio liberantur. Res tamen eorum fisco conlatae sunt. Cautinus autem episcopus, cum suspectus esset, quod et ipsi iniuriaretur, ac memoratum iter terens, equum haberet stratum, vidit postergum hominis venientes cum caballis, qui ad occursum eius veniebant, et ait: 'Vae mihi, quia hi sunt quos Chramnus direxit ad me conpraehendendum' . Et ascenso equite, relicto psallentio, solus usque in porticum basilicae sancti Iuliani, ambis urguens calcaneis cornipedem, pene exanimis percurrit.

But on the next day, the guards having been weighed down by sleep, they, deeming themselves free, fled to the basilica of blessed Julian, and thus were delivered from exile. Their goods, however, were consigned to the fisc. Cautinus the bishop, since he was suspected that he himself might also be wronged, and fearing the afore‑mentioned journey, had his horse saddled; he saw men coming from the rear with pack‑horses, who were coming to meet him, and said, "Woe to me, for these are the ones whom Chramnus sent to seize me." And having mounted his horse, leaving the psallentio behind, he alone raced as far as the portico of the basilica of Saint Julian, urging his charger with both heels, running nearly breathless.

Sed nos haec narrantis, Salustii sententiam, quam in detractaturibus historiografforum protulit, memoramus. Ait enim: Arduum videtur res gestas scribere: primum quod facta dictis exaequanda sunt; deinde quia plerique quae delecta repraehenderis malevolentia et invidia dicta putant. Sed coepta sequamur.

But we, in recounting these things, recall the sententia of Salustius, which he put forth concerning the detractors of historiographers. For he says: "It seems arduous to write res gestae: first, because deeds must be matched to words; secondly, because most people think that those things which you have selected and censured were said out of malevolence and envy." But let us follow what has been begun.

14. Quod Chlothacharius contra Saxones abiit iterata vice.

14. Concerning how Chlothachar marched against the Saxons on repeated occasions.

Igitur Chlothacharius post mortem Theodovaldi cum regno Franciae suscepisse atque eum circuiret, audivit a suis in iterata insania efferviscere Saxonis sibique esse rebelles, et quod tributa, quae annis singulis consueverant ministrare, contemnerent reddere. His incitatus verbis, ad eos dirigit. Cumque iam prope terminum illorum esset, Saxones legatus ad eum mittunt, dicentes: 'Non enim sumus contemptoris tui, et ea quae fratribus ac neputibus tuis reddere consuevimus non negamus, et maiora adhuc, si quaesieris, reddimus.

Therefore Chlothacharius, after the death of Theodovaldi, having assumed the kingdom of the Franks and held it, heard from his men that the Saxons were boiling up in renewed madness and were rebellious toward him, and that they contemned to pay the tributes which they had been wont to supply each year. Incited by these words, he directed his course to them. And when he was now near their frontier, the Saxons sent envoys to him, saying: 'For we are not despisers of you, and those things which we are wont to render to your brothers and nephews we do not refuse, and still greater things, if you should ask, we will render.'

Unum tantum exposcimus, ut sit pax, ne tuus exercitus et noster populus conlidatur'. Haec audiens Chlothacharius rex, ait suis: 'Bene locuntur hii homines. Non incedamus super eos, ne forte peccemus in Deum'. At ille dixerunt: 'Scimus enim eos mendacis nec omnino quod promiserint impleturus. Eamus super eos'. Rursum Saxones obtulerunt medietatem facultatis suae, pacem petentes.

'We ask only one thing, that there be peace, lest your army and our people be crushed together.' Hearing this, King Chlothacharius said to his men: 'These men speak well. Let us not march against them, lest perhaps we sin against God.' But they said: 'For we know them to be liars and that they will not wholly perform what they have promised. Let us go against them.' Again the Saxons offered half of their resources, seeking peace.

Et Chlotharius ait suis: 'Dissistete, quaeso, ab his hominibus, ne super nos Dei ira concitetur'. Quod illi non adquieverunt. Rursum Saxones obtulerunt vestimenta, pecora vel omni corpus facultatis suae, dicentes: 'Haec omnia tollite cum medietatem terrae nostrae, tantum uxoris et parvolus nostros relinquete liberos, et bellum inter nos non committatur'. Franci autem nec hoc adquiescere voluerunt. Quibus ait Chlothacharius rex: 'Desistite, quaeso, desistite ab hac intentione.

And Chlotharius said to his men: 'Cease, I beg you, from these men, lest the wrath of God be stirred up against us.' Which they did not consent to. Again the Saxons offered garments, cattle, or the whole body of their means, saying: 'Take all these things together with half of our land; only leave our wives and little children free, and let no war be undertaken between us.' But the Franks would not even consent to this. To whom King Chlothacharius said: 'Desist, I beg you, desist from this intention.'

Verbum enim derictum non habemus; nolite ad bellum ire, in quo disperdamini. Tamen si abire volueritis, spontania voluntate ego non sequar'. Tunc illi ira commoti contra Chlotharium regem, super eum inruunt, et scindentes tenturium eius ipsumque convitiis exasperantes ac vi detrahentes, interficere voluerunt, si cum illis abire deferret. Haec videns Chlotharius, invitus abiit cum eis.

For we have no settled word; do not go to war, in which you will be destroyed. Yet if you wish to depart, of your own spontaneous will I will not follow. Then they, stirred by anger against King Chlotharius, rushed upon him, and tearing his tent and maddening him with taunts and dragging him away by force, wished to kill him if he would not consent to depart with them. Chlotharius, seeing these things, unwillingly went away with them.

At ille, inito certamine, maxima ab adversariis internitione caeduntur, tantaque ab utroque exercitu multitudo caecidit, ut nec aestimare nec numerare paenitus possit. Tunc Chlotharius valde confusus pacem petiit, dicens, se non sua voluntate super eos venisse. Qua obtenta, ad propriam rediit.

But when the strife began, they were cut down with the greatest destruction by the adversaries, and so great a multitude fell from each army that it could neither be estimated nor fully numbered. Then Chlotharius, greatly confounded, sought peace, saying that he had come against them not by his own will. This obtained, he returned to his own [territory].

15. De episcopatu sancti Eufroni.

15. Concerning the bishopric of Saint Eufronius.

Turonici autem audientes, regressum fuisse regem de caede Saxonum, facto consensu in Eufronio presbitero, ad eum pergunt. Data quoque suggestionem, respondit rex: 'Praeciperam enim, ut Cato presbiter illuc ordinaretur; et cur est spreta iussio nostra?' Responderuntque: 'Petivimus enim eum, sed venire noluit'. Haec illis dicentibus, advenit subito Cato presbiter, depraecans regem, ut, eiecto Cautino, ipsum Arverno iuberet institui. Quod rege inridente, petiit iterum, ut Turonus ordinaretur, quod ante dispexerat.

But the Turonici, hearing that the king had returned from the slaughter of the Saxons, and having reached a consensus concerning Eufronius the presbyter, went to him. A proposal having also been put, the king replied: "For I had ordered that Cato the presbyter be ordained there; and why is our command spurned?" And they answered: "We did request him, but he would not come." While they were saying these things, Cato the presbyter suddenly arrived, beseeching the king that, Cautinus being expelled, he himself be ordered to be installed at Arverno. The king, laughing at this, he again requested that Turonus be ordained, whom he had previously selected.

Cui rex ait: 'Ego primum praecipi, ut Turonus te ad episcopatum consecrarent, sed quantum audio, despectui habuisti ecclesiam illam; ideoque elongaveris a dominatione eius'. Et sic confusus abscessit. De sancto vero Eufronio interrogans, dixerunt, eum nepotem esse beati Gregorii, cui supra meminimus. Respondit rex: 'Prima haec est et magna generatio.

To whom the king said: 'I first commanded that Turonus should consecrate you to the episcopate, but as far as I hear, you held that church in contempt; and therefore you will be removed from its dominion.' And thus confounded he departed. And, asking concerning the holy Eufronius, they said that he was the nephew of blessed Gregory, whom we mentioned above. The king answered: 'This is a first and great generation.

Fiat voluntas Dei et beati Martini, electio compleatur'. Et data praeceptione, octavos decimus post beatum Martinum sanctus Eufronius ordinatur episcopus.

"Let the will of God and of blessed Martin be done; let the election be completed." And with the precept given, on the eighteenth day after blessed Martin, Saint Eufronius is ordained bishop.

16. De Chramno.

16. Concerning Chramno.

De Chramno et satellitibus eius et malis quae gessit, vel qualiter Divione advenit.

Concerning Chramno and his satellites and the evils which he wrought, or how he came to Divio.

Chramnus vero apud Arvernus diversa, ut diximus, exercebat mala, semper adversus Cautinum episcopum invidiam tenens. Eo tempore graviter egrotavit, ita ut capilli eius a nimia febre decederunt. Habebat autem tunc secum virum magnificum et in omni bonitate perspicuum civem Arvernum Ascovindum nomen, qui eum vi ab hac malitia quaerebat avertere, sed non poterat.

Chramnus, however, among the Arvernus practiced diverse evils, as we have said, always bearing envy against Bishop Cautinus. At that time he fell grievously ill, so that his hair departed from him through excessive fever. He had then with him a magnificent and in every goodness conspicuous Arvernian citizen named Ascovindus, who strove by force to turn him away from that malice, but could not.

Habebat enim et Leonem Pectavinsim ad omnia mala perpetranda gravem stimulum, qui nominis sui tamquam leo erat in omni cupiditate saevissimus. Hic fertur quadam vice dixisse, quod Martinus et Marcialis confessoris Domini nihil fisci viribus utile reliquissent. Sed statim percussus a virtute confessorum, surdus et mutus effectus, amens est mortuos.

For he also had Leo Pectavinsim as a heavy stimulus to perpetrate all evils, who, by his name like a leo, was most savage in every cupiditas. He is said on one occasion to have declared that Martinus and Marcialis, confessors of the Lord, had left nothing of the fisc useful to their viribus. But immediately struck by the virtue of the confessors, he became deaf and mute, was driven amens, and died.

Venit enim miser ad basilicam sancti Martini Toronus celebravitque vigilias, dedit munera, sed non eum respexit virtus consueta. Cum ipsa enim qua venerat infirmitate regressus est. Chramnus ab Arverno regressus, Pectavus civitatem venit.

For the wretched man came to the basilica of Saint Martin; Toronus celebrated the vigils, he gave gifts, but his customary virtue did not look upon him. For he returned with the very sickness by which he had come. Chramnus, having returned from Arvernum, Pectavus came into the city.

Ubi cum magna potentia resederet, seductus per malorum consilium, ad Childeberthum patruum suum transire cupit, patri insidias parare disponens. Ille vero dolosae quidem, sed suscipere eum promittit, quem monere spiritaliter debuerat, ne patri exsisterit inimicus. Tunc per occultus nuntius inter se coniurati, contra Chlotharium unanimiter conspirant.

When he sat with great potentia, seduced by an evil consilium, he wished to pass over to Childeberth his patruus, arranging to prepare insidias against his father. The latter, indeed deceitful, nevertheless promises to suscipere him — whom he ought to have monere spiritually — so that he might not become inimicus to his father. Then, by occulti nuntii having conspired among themselves, they unanimously coniurant and conspirant against Chlotharium.

Sed nec memor fuit Childeberthus, quod, quotienscumque adversus fratrem suum egit, semper confusus abscessit. Chramnus vero, hoc foedere inito, Limovicino rediit et illud, per quod prius ambulaverat in regno patris sui, in sua dominatione redigit. Tunc Arvernus populos infra murus tenebatur inclusus, et diversis infirmitatibus oppraessus, graviter interibat.

But Childeberth was also not mindful that, whenever he acted against his brother, he always withdrew confounded. Chramnus, however, this treaty having been made, returned to Limovicinus and reduced into his own dominion that which he had formerly exercised in his father’s kingdom. Then Arvernus was kept shut in, the peoples enclosed within the walls, and, pressed down by diverse infirmities, grievously perished.

Porro Chlotharius rex duos filios suos, id est Chariberthum et Gunthramnum, ad eum diriget. Qui per Arvernum venientes audientesque, quod in Lemovicino esset, usque ad montem quem Nigrum nomen dicunt accedunt eumque repperiunt, figentesque tenturia, contra se resederunt, mittentes legationem, ut res paternas, quas male pervaserat, reddere deberet; sin autem aliut, campum praepararet ad bellum. Cumque ille patre subditum se esse confingeret diceretque: 'Omne quod circuivi laxare non potero, sed sub mea hoc potestate cum gratia patris mei cupio retenere', ille, ut proelium hoc inter ipsus deiudicaret, postulant.

Moreover King Chlotharius sent his two sons, that is Chariberth and Gunthramn, to him. They, coming through Arvernum and hearing that he was in the Lemovician region, advanced as far as the mountain which they call Nigrum and found him, and, pitching tents, sat down opposite him, sending an embassy that he ought to restore the paternal estates which he had ill possessed; but if otherwise, to prepare the field for war. And when he feigned himself subject to his father and said, "All that I have gone about I will not be able to loosen, but under my power I desire to retain this with the favour of my father," they demanded that he decide this battle between them.

Cumque moto utrique exercitu cum magno armorum apparatu ad bellum convenissent, subito exorta tempestas cum gravi curuscatione atque tonitruo eos, ne pugnarent, inibuit. Redeuntes autem ad castra, Chramnus dolosae per extraneam personam patris mortem fratribus pronuntiat. Eo enim tempore bellum contra Saxones, quod supra diximus, gerebatur.

And when, both armies having been put in motion, they had met for war with a great apparatus of arms, suddenly a storm having arisen with heavy lightning and thunder prevented them from fighting. Returning, however, to the camps, Chramnus announced to his brothers by a deceitful stranger the death of their father. For at that time the war against the Saxons, which we mentioned above, was being waged.

At ille timentes, cum summa velocitate Burgundiam redierunt. Chramnus vero cum exercitu post eos dirigens, usque civitatem Cavillonensim venit eamque obsedens adquisivit. Exinde usque Divionensem castrum pertendit, ibique cum die dominico advenisset, quid gestum fuerit, dicamus.

But they, fearing, returned to Burgundy with the greatest speed. Chramnus, however, directing his army after them, came as far as the city of Cavaillon and, besieging it, captured it. Thence he pushed on as far as the castle of Divion, and there, when he had arrived on the Lord’s day, let us tell what was done.

Erat ibi tunc sanctus Tetricus episcopus, cui in superiori libellum memoriam fecimus. Positis clerici tribus libris super altarium, id est prophetiae, apostoli atque euangeliorum, oraverunt ad Dominum, ut Chramnum quid evenirit ostenderit, aut, si ei felicitas succiderit aut certe se regnare possit, divina potentia declararet; simulque unam habentes conibentiam, ut unusquisque in libro quod primum aperiebat hoc ad missas et legeret. Aperto ergo primo omnium prophetarum libro, repperiunt: Auferam maceriam eius, et erit in dissolationem; pro eo quod debuit facere uvam, fecit autem lambruscam.

There was then the holy Bishop Tetricus, of whom we made mention in the preceding little book. The clerics, having laid three books upon the altar — that is, the Prophets, the Apostles, and the Gospels — prayed to the Lord that He would reveal what would befall Chramnus, or, if good fortune should fall to him or he should indeed be able to reign, would declare it by divine power; and at the same time, having one common compact, that each should read at the mass from the book which he first opened this thing. Therefore, the first book of all the Prophets being opened, they found: “I will take away its hedge, and it shall be for desolation; for what it ought to have brought forth was grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes.”

Reseratumque apostoli librum, inveniunt: Ipsi enim diligenter scitis, fratres, quia dies Domini sicut fur in nocte ita veniet. Cum dixerint: 'Pax et securitas', tunc repentinus superveniet illis interitus, sicut dolores parturientes, et non effugient. Dominus autem per euangelium ait: Qui non audit verba mea, adsimilabitur viro stulto, qui aedificavit domum suam super arenam; discendit pluvia, advenerunt flumina, flaverunt venti et inruerunt in domum illam, et cecidit, et facta est ruina eius magna.

And having opened the apostle’s book, they find: For you yourselves know diligently, brethren, that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, 'Peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them, as the pangs of childbirth, and they will not escape. But the Lord, through the Gospel, says: He who does not hear my words shall be likened to a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell, and its ruin was great.

Chramnus vero ad basilicas ab antedicto sacerdote susceptus est, ibique panem comedens, ad Childeberthum pertendit. Infra murus tamen Divionensis non est permissus intrare. Fortiter tunc rex Chlotharius contra Saxones decertabat.

Chramnus, however, was received into the basilicas by the aforesaid priest, and there, eating bread, proceeded to Childebert. Yet he was not permitted to enter within the wall of Divio. At that time King Chlotharius was bravely contending against the Saxons.

Saxones enim, ut adserunt, per Childeberthum commoti atque indignantes contra Francos superiore anno, exeuntesque de regione sua in Francia venerant et usque Divitiam civitatem praedas egerunt nimiumque grave scelus perpetrati sunt.

The Saxons, as they assert, stirred up and indignant against the Franks through Childeberth the previous year, and, leaving their region, had come into France and plundered as far as the city of Divitia, and they perpetrated a most grievous crime.

17. Quod Chramnus ad Childeberthum transiit.

17. That Chramnus crossed over to Childeberth.

Tunc Chramnus, iam accepta Wiliacharii filia, Parisius accedens, secum Childeberthum regem constringit in fide atque caritate, iurans, se patri esse certissimum inimicum. Childeberthus autem rex, dum Chlotharius contra Saxones decertaret, in campaniam Remensim accedit, et usque Remus civitatem properans, cuncta predis atque incendio devastavit. Audierat enim, fratrem suum a Saxonibus fuisse perimtum, et regno suo cuncta subici aestimans, quae adire potuit universa pervasit.

Then Chramnus, having taken the daughter of Williacharius, coming to Paris, bound King Childeberth to himself in faith and affection, swearing that he was the most certain enemy of his father. King Childeberth, however, while Chlotharius was fighting the Saxons, entered the Remian countryside, and hastening all the way to the city of Reims, devastated everything with plunder and fire. For he had heard that his brother had been killed by the Saxons, and, deeming all things subject to his kingdom, he swept through everything that he could reach.

18. De Austrapio duce.

18. Concerning Austrapius the duke.

Tunc et Austrapius dux Chramnum metuens, in basilica sancti Martini confugit. Cui tali in tribulatione posito non defuit divinum auxilium. Nam cum Chramnus ita eum constringi iussit, ut nullus illi alimenta praebere praesumerit, et ita arcius custodiretur, ut nec aquam quidem ei aurire liceret, quo facilius conpulsus inaedia ipse sponte sua de basilicam sancta periturus exiret, accedens quidam vasculum illi cum aqua simevivo detulit ad putandum.

Then Duke Austrapius, fearing Chramnus, fled for refuge into the basilica of Saint Martin. To him thus placed in tribulation divine aid was not lacking. For when Chramnus ordered him to be confined so that no one would presume to supply him with alimenta, and to be watched so closely that he was not even permitted to draw water, in order that, the more easily driven on by famine, he himself of his own accord, about to perish, might leave the holy basilica, a certain man, coming near, brought him a small vessel with water, somewhat warm, to drink.

Quo accepto, velociter iudex loci advolavit ereptumque de manu eius terrae diffudit. Quod velox Dei ultio et beati antestetis virtus est subsecuta. Eam namque die iudex qua ista gesserat correptus a febre, nocte media expiravit, nec pervenit in crastino ad illam horam, qua in basilica sancti poculum de manu excusserat fugitivi.

When this was heard, the judge of the place swiftly hastened and hurled what had been snatched from his hand down upon the ground. This swift vengeance of God and the virtue of the blessed martyr followed it. For that very day the judge, who had committed those deeds, was seized by a fever and expired in the middle of the night, and on the morrow he did not live to reach the hour which, in the saint’s basilica, he had struck the cup from the fugitive’s hand.

Post istud miraculum omnes ei opolentissime quae erant necessaria detulerunt. Redeunte autem in regnum suum rege Chlothario, magnus cum eo est habitus. Tempore vero eius ad clericatum accedens, apud Sellensim castrum, quod in Pectava habitur diocisi, episcopus ordenatur; futurum, ut, decedente Pientio antestite, qui tunc Pectavam regebat eclesiam, ipse succederet.

After that miracle they brought to him very lavishly those things which were necessary. And when King Chlothario was returning to his kingdom, he was held in great esteem by him. In his time, moreover, approaching the clericacy, he was ordained bishop at the castle of Sellens, which lies in the diocese of Pectava; it was arranged that, on the death of Pientius the bishop, who then governed the church of Pectava, he himself would succeed.

Sed rex Chariberthus in aliut vertit sententiam. Denique cum Pientius episcopus ab hac luce migrasset, apud Parisius civitatem Pascentius, qui tunc abba erat basilicae sancti Helari, ei succedit ex iussu regis Chariberthi, clamante Austrapio, sibi hunc redebere locum. Sed parum ei iactati profuere sermones.

But King Charibert turned his purpose to another. Finally, when Bishop Pientius had departed from this light, at the city of Paris Pascentius, who then was abbot of the basilica of Saint Hilaire, succeeded him by the command of King Charibert, Austrapius shouting that this place should be restored to him. But the vaunted words profited him little.

Ipse quoque regressus ad castrum suum, mota super se Theifalorum seditione, quos saepe gravaverat, lancea sauciatus crudiliter vitam finivit. Dioceses vero suas eclesia Pectava recipit.

He himself also, having returned to his castle, when a sedition of the Theifali was stirred up against him — whom he had often oppressed — was wounded with a lance and cruelly ended his life. His dioceses, however, the church of Pectava received.

19. De obitu sancti Medardi episcopi.

19. On the death of Saint Medardus, bishop.

Tempore quoque Chlothari regis sanctus Dei Medardus episcopus, consummato boni operis cursu et plenus dierum, sanctitate praecipuus, diem obiit. Quem Chlotharius rex cum summo honore apud Sessionas civitatem sepelivit et basilicam super eum fabricare coepit, quam postea Sigiberthus, filius eius, explevit atque conposuit. Ad cuius beatum sepulchrum vidimus vinctorum conpedes atque catenas disruptas confractasque iacere; quae usque hodie in testimonium virtutis eius ad ipsum beati sepulchrum reservantur.

In the time of King Chlothar also the holy God‑bishop Medardus, having completed the course of a good work and full of days, eminent in sanctity, yielded the day. Whom King Chlothar with the highest honor buried at the city of Sessionas and began to build a basilica over him, which afterwards Sigiberthus, his son, completed and finished. At whose blessed sepulchre we saw the fetters and chains of the vanquished broken and shattered lying; which to this day are reserved at the very tomb of the blessed as a testimony of his virtue.

Sed ad superiora redeamus.

But let us return to the foregoing.

20. De obitu Childeberthi et interitu Chramni.

20. On the death of Childebert and the destruction of Chramn.

Childeberthus igitur rex aegrotare coepit, et cum diutissime apud Parisius lectulo decubasset, obiit et ad basilicam beati Vincenti, quam ipse construxerat, est sepultus. Cuius regnum et thesauros Chlotharius rex accepit; Vulthrogotham vero et filias eius duas in exilium posuit. Chramnus autem patri repraesentatur, sed postea infidelis extitit.

Therefore King Childeberthus began to fall ill, and when he had lain for a very long time in a little bed at Paris, he died and was buried at the basilica of Blessed Vincent, which he himself had built. His kingdom and treasures King Chlotharius received; Vulthrogotha, however, and her two daughters he put into exile. Chramnus, meanwhile, was presented to his father, but afterwards proved unfaithful.

Cumque se cerneret evadere non posse, Brittanias petiit, ibique cum Chonoobro Brittanorum comite ipse vel uxor eius ac filiae latuerunt. Wiliacharius autem, socer eius, ad basilica sancti Martini confugit. Tunc sancta basilica a peccatis populi ac ludibria, quae in ea fiebant, per Wiliacharium coniugemque eius succensa est; quod non sine gravi suspirio memoramus.

And when he perceived that he could not escape, he sought the Britains, and there, with Chonoobro, count of the Britons, he himself or his wife and daughters hid. Wiliacharius, however, his father‑in‑law, fled to the basilica of Saint Martin. Then the holy basilica was set on fire by Wiliacharius and his wife, on account of the sins of the people and the derisions which were made in it; which we record not without a heavy sigh.

Sed et civitas Toronica ante annum iam igne consumpta fuerat, et totae eclesiae in eadem constructae desertae relictae sunt. Protinus beati Martini basilica, ordinante Chlothario rege, ab stagno cooperta est et in illa ut prius fuerat elegantia reparata. Tunc duae acies locustarum apparuerunt, quae per Arvernum atque Limovicinum transeuntes, ut ferunt, Romaniacum campum venerunt, in quo, proelium inter se actum, maxime sunt conlisae.

But the city Toronica had already been consumed by fire the year before, and all the churches built therein were left deserted. Immediately the basilica of blessed Martin, by the order of King Chlotharius, was covered with a pond, and therein its former elegance was restored. Then two hosts of locusts appeared, which, passing through the Arverni and the Lemovices, as is told, came to the field called Romaniacum, in which, a battle fought between them, they were most grievously crushed.

Chlotharius autem rex contra Chramnum frendens, cum exercitu adversus eum in Brittanias dirigit. Sed nec ille contra patrem egredi timuit. Cumque in unum campum conglobatus uterque resederet exercitus et Chramnus cum Brittanis contra patrem aciem instruxisset, incumbente nocte a bello cessatum est.

King Chlotharius, moreover, gnashing against Chramnus, with an army directed into the Britannias against him. But he in turn did not fear to march forth against his father. And when both forces, having been gathered together into one field, sat down, and Chramnus with the Britons had drawn up a battle‑line against his father, with night pressing on the fighting was suspended.

Ea quoque nocte Chonoober Brittanorum comes dicit ad Chramnum: 'Iniustum censeo te contra patrem tuum debere egredi. Permitte me hac nocte, ut inruam super eum ipsumque cum toto exercitu prosternam'. Quod Chramnus, ut credo virtute Dei praeventus, fieri non permisit. Mane autem facto, uterque commoto exercitu ad bellum contra se properant.

Also on that night Chonoober, count of the Britons, says to Chramnus: "I deem it unjust that you should march out against your father. Allow me this night to rush upon him and to overthrow him himself with his whole army." Which Chramnus, as I believe prevented by the virtue of God, did not permit to be done. But when morning had come, each, with his army stirred up, hastened to war against the other.

Ibatque Chlotharius rex tamquam novus David contra Absolonem filium pugnaturus, plangens atque dicens: 'Respice, Domine, de caelo et iudica causam meam, quia iniuste a filio iniurias patior. Respice, Domine, et iudica iuste, illudque inpone iudicium, quod quondam inter Absalonem et patrem eius David posuisti'. Confligentes etenim pariter, Brittanorum comes terga vertit ibique et caecidit. Denique Chramnus fugam iniit, naves in mare paratas habens; sed dum uxorem vel filias liberare voluit, ab exercitu patris oppraessus, captus atque legatus est.

And King Chlotharius went forth as if a new David to fight against Absolon his son, lamenting and saying: 'Look down, O Lord, from heaven and judge my cause, for unjustly I suffer injuries from my son. Look down, O Lord, and judge justly, and lay upon him that judgment which once you placed between Absalom and his father David.' For as they clashed together alike, the leader of the Britons turned his back and there fell. At last Chramnus took flight, having ships prepared for the sea; but while he wished to free his wife or daughters, being overwhelmed by his father's army, he was captured and handed over.

Quod cum Chlothario regi nuntiatum fuisset, iussit eum cum uxore et filiabus igni consumi. Inclusique in tugurium cuiusdam pauperculae, Chramnus super scamnum extensus orario sugillatus est; et sic postea super eos incensa casula, cum uxore et filiabus interiit.

When this was reported to King Chlotharius, he ordered him to be consumed by fire with his wife and daughters. Shut up in the hut of a certain poor woman, Chramnus, stretched out upon a bench, was beaten with a small rod; and thus afterwards, the hut having been set on fire over them, he perished with his wife and daughters.

21. De obitu Chlothachari regis.

21. Concerning the death of King Chlothachar.

Rex vero Chlotharius anno quinquaginsimo primo regni sui cum multis muneribus limina beati Martini expetiit, et adveniens Toronus ad sepulchrum antedicti antestetis, cunctas actiones, quas fortassis neglegenter egerat, replicans et orans cum grande gemitu, ut pro suis culpis beatus confessor Domini misericordiam exoraret et ea quae inrationabiliter conmiserat suo obtentu dilueret, exinde regressus, quinquaginsimo primo regni sui anno, dum in Cotiam silvam venationem exerceret, a febre corripitur, et exinde Conpendio villa rediit. In qua cum graviter vexaretur a febre, aiebat: 'Wa! Quid potatis, qualis est illi rex caelestis, qui sic tam magnos regis interfecit?' In hoc enim taedio positus, spiritum exalavit. Quem quattuor filii sui cum magno honore Sessionas deferentes, in basilica beati Medardi sepelierunt.

King Chlotharius, in the 51st year of his reign, sought the thresholds of blessed Martin with many gifts, and Toronus, coming to the tomb of the aforesaid, rehearsing all the actions which perhaps he had negligently performed, and praying with a great groan that the blessed confessor of the Lord might plead for mercy on account of his faults and, by his intercession, wash away those things which he had done irrationally, returned thence; in the 51st year of his reign, while he was hunting in the Cotian wood, he was seized by a fever, and then returned to the villa Conpendio. There, severely harassed by the fever, he would say, "Woe! What do you think, what sort of heavenly king is that who thus has slain so many mighty kings?" — and in this weariness he breathed forth his spirit. He whom his four sons, bearing Sessionas with great honor, interred in the basilica of blessed Medard.

Obiit autem post unum decurrentes anni diem, quod Chramnus fuerat interfectus.

He died, however, one year after the day on which Chramnus had been slain.

22. Divisio regni inter filios eius.

22. Division of the kingdom among his sons.

Chilpericus vero post patris funera thesaurus, qui in villa Brannacum erant congregati, accepit et ad Francos utiliores petiit ipsusque muneribus mollitus sibi subdidit. Et mox Parisius ingreditur sedemque Childeberthi regis occupat; sed non diu ei hoc licuit possedere; nam coniuncti fratres eius eum exinde repulerunt, et sic inter se hii quattuor, id est Chariberthus, Gunthramnus, Chilpericus atque Sigiberthus, divisionem legitimam faciunt. Deditque sors Charibertho regnum Childeberthi sedemque habere Parisius, Gunthramno vero regnum Chlodomeris ac tenere sedem Aurilianensem, Chilperico vero regnum Chlothari, patris eius, cathedramque Sessionas habere, Sygibertho quoque regnum Theuderici sedemque habere Remensim.

Chilpericus, however, after his father’s funeral, received the treasure that had been gathered in the villa Brannacum and sought to be useful to the Franks, and, softened by gifts, subjected them to himself. And soon he entered Parisius and occupied the seat of King Childeberth; but he was not allowed to hold this long; for his brothers joined and drove him thence, and thus these four — that is, Chariberth, Gunthramnus, Chilpericus and Sigiberthus — made a legitimate division among themselves. And the lot gave to Chariberth the kingdom of Childeberth and the seat of Parisius, to Gunthramnus the kingdom of Chlodomer and the holding of the seat Aurilianense, to Chilpericus the kingdom of Chlothar, his father, and the cathedra of Sessionas, and to Sygiberth the kingdom of Theuderic and the seat Remensim.

23. Quod Sigiberthus contra Chunus abiit.

23. Concerning how Sigiberthus went against Chunus.

Quod Sigiberthus contra Chunus abiit, et Chilpericus civitates eius pervasit.

Whereupon Sigiberthus marched against Chunus, and Chilpericus ravaged his cities.

Nam post mortem Chlothari regis Chuni Gallias appetunt, contra quos Sigyberthus exercitum dirigit, et gestum contra eos bellum, vicit atque fugavit. Sed postea rex eorum amicitias cum eodem per legatus meruit. Dum autem cum eis esset turbatus Sigyberthus, Chilpericus, frater eius, Remus pervadit et alias civitates, quae ad eum pertenebant, abstulit.

For after the death of King Chlotharius, Chuno sought the Gauls; against whom Sigyberthus marshalled an army, and the war waged against them he won and put to flight. But afterwards their king procured friendships with the same by an envoy. However, while Sigyberthus, being disturbed, was with them, Chilpericus, his brother, seized Remus and carried off the other cities which belonged to him.

Ex hoc enim inter eos, quod peius est, bellum civile surrexit. Rediens autem Sigyberthus victur a Chunis, Sessionas civitatem occupat, ibique inventum Theodoberthum, Chilperici regis filium, adpraehendit et in exilio transmittit. Accedens autem contra Chilpericum, bellum commovit; quo victo atque fugato, civitatis suas in sua dominatione restituit.

From this, moreover, between them — which is the worse — a civil war arose. Sigyberthus, however, returning, having been conquered by the Chuni, seized the city of Sessionas; and there, when Theodoberthus, son of King Chilperic, was found, he apprehended him and sent him into exile. Moreover, advancing against Chilperic he stirred up war; that man being defeated and put to flight, he restored his cities to his dominion.

Theodoberthum vero, filium eius, apud Ponticonem villam custodire iussit per annum integrum; quem postea, ut erat clemens, muneribus ditatum patri reddidit sanum, data tamen sibi sacramenta, ne umquam contra eum agere deberet. Quod postea, peccatis facientibus, est inruptum.

He ordered Theodoberthus, his son, to be kept at the villa called Pontico for a whole year; whom afterwards, being merciful, he restored to his father enriched with gifts and sound, yet after oaths had been given that he should never act against him. This pledge, however, was afterwards broken when sins were committed.

24. De patriciato Celsi.

24. Concerning the patriciate of Celsus.

Cum autem Gunthchramnus rex regnum partem, sicut fratris sui, obtenuisset, amoto Agroecola patricio, Celsum patriciatus honori donavit, virum procerum statu, in scapulis validum, lacertu robustum, in verbis tumidum, in responsis oportunum, iuris lectione peritum; cui tanta deinceps habendi cupiditas extitit, ut saepius aeclesiarum res auferens suis ditionibus subiugaret. Nam cum audisset quadam vice Isaiae prophetae lectionem in aeclesia legi, in qua ait: Vae his qui coniungunt domum ad domum et agrum ad agrum copolant usque ad terminum loci, exclamasse fertur: 'Incongruae hoc; vae mihi et filiis meis!' Sed reliquit filium, qui absque liberis functus, maximam partem facultatis aeclesiis, quas pater expoliaverat, derelinquit.

When King Gunthchramnus obtained part of the kingdom, like his brother, having removed Agroecola the patrician, he bestowed the honour of the patriciate on Celsus, a man of lofty status, strong in the shoulders, robust in the arm, swollen in words, apt in answers, skilled in the reading of law; to whom thereupon such a craving for holding (power) arose that, more and more often taking away the affairs of the churches, he subjected them to his own dominions. For when at one time he had heard read in church the prophet Isaiah, in which it says: "Woe to those who join house to house and field to field until there is no place left," he is said to have exclaimed: "This is incongruous; woe to me and my sons!" But he left a son who, dying without children, bequeathed the greatest part of his wealth to the churches which his father had despoiled.

25. De uxoribus Gunthchramni.

25. Of the wives of Gunthchramnus.

Gunthchramnus autem rex bonus primo Venerandam, cuiusdam suorum ancillam, pro concubina toro subiunxit; de qua Gundobadum filium suscepit. Postea vero Marcatrudem, filiam Magnarii, in matrimonium accepit. Gundobadum vero filium suum Aurilianis transmisit.

Gunthchramnus, however, a good king, first set Veneranda, a certain maid of his household, beneath the bed as a concubine; by whom he begot a son, Gundobad. Afterwards he took Marcatrude, daughter of Magnarius, in marriage. He moreover entrusted his son Gundobad to the Aurilianis.

Aemula autem Marcatrudis post habitum filium in huius morte crassatur; transmissum, ut aiunt, venenum in potu maedificavit. Quo mortuo, ipsa iudicio Dei filium, quem habebat, perdidit et odium regis incurrit, demissaque ab eodem, ne multo post tempore mortua est. Post quam Austerchilde cognomento Bobillam accepit, de qua iterum duos filios habuit, duorum senior Chlotharius, minor Chlodomeris dicebatur.

Marcatrude's rival, however, after giving birth to a son was accused in his death; the poison, so they say, which had been handed on she tainted in a drink. When he died, she herself, by the judgment of God, lost the son whom she had, and incurred the king’s hatred, and, having been dismissed by him, died not long thereafter. After her the king took Austerchilde, by the byname Bobilla, of whom she again had two sons, of whom the elder was called Chlotharius, the younger Chlodomeris.

26. De uxoribus Chariberthi.

26. Concerning the wives of Charibert.

Porro Chariberthus rex Ingobergam accepit uxorem, de qua filiam habuit, quae postea in Ganthia virum accipiens est deducta. Habebat tunc temporis Ingoberga in servitium suum duas puellas pauperis cuiusdam filias, quorum prima vocabatur Marcovefa, relegiosa veste habens, alia vero Merofledis; in quarum amore rex valde detenebatur. Erant enim, ut diximus, artificis lanariae filiae.

Furthermore King Charibert took Ingoberga as wife, by whom he had a daughter, who afterward, taking a husband in Ganthia, was led away. At that time Ingoberga had into her service two girls, the daughters of a certain poor man, the first of whom was called Marcovefa, wearing a religious habit, the other indeed Merofledis; in whose affection the king was greatly detained. For they were, as we have said, the daughters of a woolen artisan.

Aemula ex hoc Ingoberga, quod a rege diligerentur, patrem secretius operare fecit, futurum, ut, dum haec rex cerneret, odio filias eius haberet. Quo operante, vocavit regem. Ille autem sperans aliquid novi videre, aspicit hunc eminus lanas regias conponentem.

Ingoberga, jealous because they were beloved by the king, caused her father to work secretly, so that, when the king should see these things, he would hold her daughters in hatred. By this contrivance she summoned the king. He, however, hoping to see something new, from afar beholds him arranging royal wools.

Quod videns, commotus in ira, reliquid Ingobergam et Merofledem accepit. Habuit et aliam puellam opilionis, id est pastoris ovium, filiam, nomen Theudogildem, de qua et filium fertur habuisse, qui ut processit ex alvo, protinus delatus est ad sepulchrum. Huius regis tempore apud urbem Sanctonicam Leontius, congregatis provinciae suae episcopis, Emerium ab episcopatu depulit, adserens, non canonice eum fuisse huic honore donatum.

Seeing this, stirred up in anger, he abandoned Ingoberga and took Merofled. He also had another girl, the daughter of an opilio, that is, a shepherd of sheep, named Theudogilda, of whom it is reported he also had a son, who, as soon as he came forth from the womb, was at once carried to the tomb. In the time of this king, at the city of Sanctonica, Leontius, having gathered the bishops of his province, deposed Emerius from the episcopate, asserting that he had not been canonically granted that honor.

Decretum enim regis Chlotharii habuerat, ut absque metropolis consilium benediceretur, quia non erat praesens. Quo eiecto, consensum fecere in Heraclium tunc Burdigalensis urbis presbiterum; quod regi Charibertum subscriptum propriis manibus per nuncupatum presbiterum transmiserunt. Qui veniens Toronus, rem gestam beato Eufronio pandit, depraecans, ut hoc consensum subscribere dignaretur; quod vir Dei manifeste respuit.

For he had the decretum of King Chlotharius, that the council should be benedicted without the metropolitans, because he was not present. That being set aside, they gave their consent to Heraclius, then presbyter of the city of Burdigalensis, which they sent to King Charibert, signed with his own hands, through the presbyter named. Toronus, coming, declared the matter done to the blessed Eufronius, entreating that he would deign to subscribe this consent; which the man of God openly refused.

Igitur postquam presbiter Parisiacae urbis portas ingressus regis praesentiam adiit, haec affatus est: 'Salvae, rex gloriosae. Sedis enim apostolica eminentiae tuae salutem mittit uberrimam'. Cui ille: 'Numquid', ait, 'tu Romanam adisti urbem, ut papae illius nobis salutem deferas?' 'Patris', inquid presbiter, 'tui Leontius cum provincialibus suis tibi salutem mittit, indicans Cymulum', - sic enim vocitare consueverant Emerium in infantia sua - 'eiectum ab episcopatu, pro eo quod, praetermissa canonum sanctione, urbis Sanctonicae episcopatum ambivit. Ideoque consensum ad te direxerunt, ut alius in loco eius substituatur; quo fiat, ut, dum transgressores canonum regulariter arguuntur, regni vestri potentia aevis prolixioribus propagitur.

Therefore after the presbyter, having entered the gates of the city of Paris, came into the king's presence, he spoke these words: 'Hail, O glorious king. For the Apostolic See sends to your eminence most abundant greeting.' To whom he said: 'Did you, then, go to the Roman city to carry us greeting from that pope?' 'Leontius,' said the presbyter, 'of your father, with his provincials sends you greeting, indicating Cymulus' — for thus they had been wont to call Emerius in his infancy — 'thrown out of the episcopate, because, the sanction of the canons having been passed over, he coveted the episcopate of the city of Saintes. And therefore they have directed their consent to you, that another be substituted in his place; so that, while transgressors of the canons are legitimately called to account, the power of your kingdom may be extended to more distant ages.'

Haec eo dicente, frendens rex, eum a suis conspectibus extrahi iussit, et plaustro spinis oppleto inponi desuper et in exilium trudi praecipit, dicens: 'Potasne, quia non est super quisquam de filiis Chlothari regis, qui patris facta custodiat, quod hi episcopum, quem eius volontas elegit, absque nostrum iuditio proiecerunt?' Et statim directis viris relegiosis, episcopum in loco restituit, dirigens etiam quosdam de camarariis suis, qui, exactis Leontio episcopo mille aureis, reliquos iuxta possibilitatem condempnavit episcopos. Et sic principis est ulta iniuria. Post haec Marcoveifa, Merofledis scilicet sororem, coniugio copulavit.

When he had said this, the king, gnashing, ordered him to be dragged out of his sight, and to be set upon a wagon filled with thorns and thrust into exile, saying: "Are you able, since there is no one left among the sons of King Chlothar who will guard the deeds of his father, that these men have deposed the bishop whom his will chose, without our judgment?" And immediately, with religious men sent, he restored the bishop to his place, also directing certain of his chamberlains, who, after exacting from Bishop Leontius one thousand gold pieces, condemned the remaining bishops according to their ability. And thus the prince’s wrong was avenged. After these things he joined Marcoveifa — namely, Merofledis’ sister — in marriage.

Pro qua causa a sancto Germano episcopo excomunicatus uterque est. Sed cum eam rex relinquere nollit, percussa iuditio Dei obiit. Ne multo post et ipse rex post eam decessit.

For this cause both were excommunicated by Saint Germanus the bishop. But when the king would not abandon her, he died, smitten by the judgment of God. Not long after, the king himself likewise died following her.

Cuius post obitum Theodogildis, una reginarum eius, nuntius ad Gunthchramnum regem dirigit, se ultro offerens matrimonio eius. Quibus rex hoc reddidit in responsis: 'Accedere ad me ei non pigeat cum thesauris suis. Ego enim accipiam eam faciamque magnam in populis, ut scilicet maiorem mecum honorem quam cum germano meo, qui nuper defunctus est, potiatur'. At illa gavisa, collectis omnibus, ad eum profecta est.

After his death Theodogildis, one of his queens, sent a messenger to King Gunthchramn, offering herself voluntarily for his marriage. To this the king returned this answer: 'Let her not be averse to come to me with her treasures. For I will receive her and make her great among the peoples, so that, to be sure, she may enjoy with me a greater honor than with my germano, who has recently died.' But she, rejoicing, having gathered all her belongings, set out to him.

Quod cernens rex, ait: 'Rectius est enim, ut hi thesauri penes me habeantur, quam post hanc, quae indigne germani mei torum adivit'. Tunc, ablatis multis, paucis relictis, Arelatinsi eam monasthirio distinavit. Haec vero aegre adquiescens ieiuniis ac vigiliis adfici, per occultus nuntios Gothum quendam adivit, promittens, si se in Hispaniis deductam coniugio copularet, cum thesauris suis de monasthirio egrediens, libenti eum animo sequeretur. Quod ille, nihil dubitans, repromisit.

Seeing this the king said, "For it is more proper that these thesauri be held by me than by that woman, who unworthily approached my brother's torus." Then, many things having been removed and few left behind, the man of Arelate confined her to a monasthirio. She, however, ill-content and afflicted by fasts and vigils, by secret messengers approached a certain Goth, promising that if he should conduct her into Hispania and join her in conjugio, when leaving the monasthirio with her thesauri she would follow him with willing ánimo. Which he, doubting nothing, returned as a promise.

Cumque haec, collictis rebus factisque volucris, a cenobio pararet egredi, antecepavit voluntatem eius industria abbatissae, depraehensamque fraudem, eam graviter caesam custodiae mancipare praecipit; in qua usque ad exitum vitae praesentis, non mediocribus adtrita passionibus, perduravit.

And when she, her possessions gathered and a messenger‑bird prepared, was getting ready to depart from the cenobium, the abbess’s industry forestalled her will, and, the fraud having been detected, ordered her to be grievously beaten and bound in custody; in which state she endured, until the end of her present life, worn down by not insignificant sufferings.

27. Quod Sigiberthus Brunichildem accepit.

27. Concerning the fact that Sigiberthus received Brunichildem.

Porro Sigyberthus rex cum videret, quod fratres eius indignas sibimet uxores acciperent et per vilitatem suam etiam ancillas in matrimonio sociarent, legationem in Hispaniam mittit et cum multis muneribus Brunichildem, Athanagilde regis filiam, petiit. Erat enim puella elegans opere, venusta aspectu, honesta moribus atque decora, prudens consilio et blanda colloquio. Quam pater eius non denegans, cum magnis thesauris antedicto rege transmisit.

Moreover King Sigiberthus, when he saw that his brothers were taking wives unworthy of themselves and, by their baseness, were even joining handmaids in marriage, sent an embassy to Hispania and sought Brunichild, daughter of King Athanagild, with many gifts. For she was a maiden elegant in workmanship, charming in aspect, virtuous in morals and comely, prudent in counsel and winning in conversation. Her father, not denying her, sent her across with the aforesaid king, accompanied by great treasures.

Ille vero, congregatus senioribus secum, praeparatis aepulis, cum inminsa laetitia atque iocunditate eam accepit uxorem. Et quia Arrianae legi subiecta erat, per praedicationem sacerdotum atque ipsius regis commonitionem conversa, beatam in unitate confessa Trinitatem credidit atque chrismata est. Quae in nomine Christi catholica perseverat.

He, moreover, having gathered the elders with him and the banquets prepared, received her as his wife with immense joy and delight. And because she had been subject to the Arian law, having been converted by the preaching of the priests and by the admonition of the king himself, the blessed woman, confessing the Trinity in unity, believed and was chrismated. She endures catholic in the name of Christi.

28. De uxoribus Chilperici.

28. Concerning the wives of Chilperic.

Quod videns Chilpericus rex, cum iam plures haberet uxores, sororem eius Galsuintham expetiit, promittens per legatus se alias relicturum, tantum condignam sibi regisque prolem mereretur accipere. Pater vero eius has promissiones accipiens, filiam suam, similiter sicut anteriorem, ipsi cum magnis opibus distinavit. Nam Galsuintha aetate senior a Brunichilde erat.

Seeing this, King Chilperic, although he already had several wives, desired her sister Galsuintha, promising by a legate that he would dismiss the others, since she alone deserved to receive a mate worthy of him and to bear royal progeny. Her father, however, accepting these promises, bestowed his daughter upon him, just as he had the former, with great riches. For Galsuintha was older in age than Brunichilde.

Quae cum ad Chilpericum regem venisset, cum grande honore suscepta eiusque est sociata coniugio; a quo etiam magno amore diligebatur. Detulerat enim secum magnos thesauros. Sed per amorem Fredegundis, quam prius habuerat, ortum est inter eos grande scandalum.

When she came to King Chilperic, she was received with great honor and joined to him in marriage; by whom she was also cherished with great love. For she had brought with her great treasures. But on account of the love of Fredegund, whom he had earlier had, a great scandal arose between them.

Iam enim in lege catholica conversa fuerat et chrismata. Cumque se regi quaereretur assiduae iniurias, perferre diceretque, nullam se dignitatem cum eodem habere, petiit, ut, relictis thesauris quos secum detulerat, libera redire permitteretur ad patriam. Quod ille per ingenia dissimulans, verbis eam lenibus demulsit.

For she had already been converted to the Catholic law and anointed. And when it was asked of her to the king that she should endure continual injuries, she said that she would bear them and that she held no rank with him; she begged that, having left the treasures which she had brought with her, she be permitted freely to return to her fatherland. But he, dissembling this by artifice, soothed her with gentle words.

Ad extremum enim suggillari iussit a puero, mortuamque repperit in strato. Post cuius obitum Deus virtutem magnam ostendit. Lyghnus enim ille, qui fune suspensus coram sepulchrum eius ardebat, nullo tangente, disrupto fune, in pavimento conruit et, fugientem ante eum duritiam pavimenti, tamquam in aliquod molle elimentum discendit, atque medius est suffossus nec omnino contritus.

At last he ordered her to be scourged by a youth, and found her dead upon the bed. After whose death God showed great virtue. For that Lyghnus, who, suspended by a rope, was burning before her sepulchre, with no one touching him, the rope having broken, fell down upon the pavement and, the hardness of the pavement fleeing before him, as if into some soft element he sank, and was buried to the middle and not wholly crushed.

Quod non sine magno miraculo videntibus fuit. Rex autem cum eam mortuam deflessit, post paucos dies Fredegundem recepit in matrimonio. Post quod factum reputantes ei fratres, quod sua emissione antedicta regina fuerit interfecta, eum a regno deieciunt.

Which was not without a great miracle to those who saw. The king, however, after he bewailed her as dead, after a few days took Fredegund in marriage. After that act, her brothers, thinking that by his afore‑said emissary the queen had been slain, deposed him from the kingdom.

Habebat autem tunc Chilpericus tres filius de Audovera priore regina sua, id est Theudoberthum, cui supra meminimus, Merovechum atque Chlodovechum. Sed ad coepta redeamus.

Chilpericus, moreover, at that time had three sons by Audovera, his first queen, namely Theudoberthum, whom we mentioned above, Merovech and Chlodovech. But let us return to the matters begun.

29. De secundo Sigiberthi contra Chunus bellum.

29. On the second war of Sigiberth against Chunus.

Chuni vero iterum in Gallias venire conabantur. Adversum quos Sygiberthus cum exercitu dirigit, habens secum magnam multitudinem virorum fortium. Cumque confligere deberent, isti magicis artibus instructi, diversas eis fantasias ostendunt et eos valde superant.

Chuni, however, were again attempting to come into Gaul. Against whom Sygiberthus marshals an army, having with him a great multitude of brave men. And when they ought to join in battle, those men, instructed in magical arts, display to them various phantasies and so greatly overpower them.

Fugiente autem exercitu Sigyberthi, ipsi inclusus a Chunis retenebatur, nisi postea, ut erat elegans et versutus, quos non potuit superare virtute proelii, superavit arte donandi. Nam, datis muneribus, foedus cum rege iniit, ut omnibus diebus vitae suae nulla inter se proelia commoverint; idque ei magis ad laudem quam ad aliquid pertinere opproprium iusta ratione pensatur. Sed et rex Chunorum multa munera regi Sigybertho dedit.

But with the army of Sigyberth fleeing, he himself was enclosed and held by the Chuni, unless afterwards, as he was elegant and versute, he who could not overcome them by the virtue of battle overcame them by the art of giving. For, gifts having been given, he entered into a foedus with the king, that on all the days of his life no battles be stirred up between them; and by just reason this is reckoned to pertain to him more to praise than to any opprobrium. Yet the king of the Chuni also gave many gifts to King Sigyberth.

Vocabatur enim gaganus. Omnes enim regis gentes illius hoc appellantur nomine.

For he was called Gaganus. For all the peoples of that king are called by this name.

30. Quod Arverni ad capiendam Arilatensim abierunt.

30. Concerning the fact that the Arverni went to seize Arilatensis.

Quod Arverni ad capiendam Arilatensim urbem ex iussu Sigiberthi regis abierunt.

Because the Arverni, by the command of King Sigibert, set out to seize the city of Arilatens.

Sigyberthus vero rex Arelatinsim urbem capere cupiens, Arvernus commovere praecipit. Erat enim tunc Firminus comes urbis illius, qui cum ipsis in capite abiit. Sed et de alia parte Adovarius cum exercitu advenit.

But King Sigyberthus, desiring to seize the city of Arelatensis, orders Arvernus to move. For at that time Firminus was the count of that city, who went off with them at the head. But also from the other side Adovarius arrived with an army.

Ingressique urbem Arelatinsim, sacramenta pro parte Sigyberthi regis exegerunt. Quod cum Gunthchramnus rex conperisset, Celsum patricium cum exercitu illuc dirigit. Qui abiens, Avennicam urbem abstulit.

And having entered the city of Arelatinsim, they exacted the oaths on behalf of King Sigyberht. When King Gunthchramnus learned this, he dispatched Celsus the patrician with an army thither. Who, on departing, carried off the city of Avennica.

Accedens autem Arelate et vallans eam, inpugnare exercitum Sigyberthi, qui infra murus contenebatur, coepit. Tunc Sabaudus episcopus dixit ad eos: 'Egredimini foris et inite certamen, quia non poteritis sub murorum conclusione degentes neque nos neque urbis istius subiecta defendere. Quod si vos Deo propitio illos devincitis, nos fidem, quam promisimus, custodimus; si vero illi contra vos invaluerent, ecce reseratas repperietis portas!

And coming up to Arelate and investing it, and besieging it, he began to assault the army of Sigyberthus, which was contained within the walls. Then Sabaudus the bishop said to them: 'Go forth and enter the contest, for you, dwelling shut within the enclosure of the walls, will not be able to defend either us or the subjects of this city. But if, with God propitious, you overcome them, we will keep the faith which we promised; if indeed they prevail against you, behold, you will find the gates opened!'

Ingrediemini, ne pereatis'. Hoc illi dolo delusi, egressi foris, bellum parant. Sed superati ab exercitu Celsi, fugam iniunt venientesque ad urbem, portas repperiunt obseratas. Cumque exercitus a tergo iaculis foderetur operireturque lapidibus ab urbanis, ad amnem Rhodanum dirigunt, ibique pannis superpositi, ulteriorem ripam expetunt.

'Enter, lest you perish.' Deceived by this guile, they went out and prepared for war. But, overcome by the army of Celsus, they took flight, and coming to the city they found the gates fastened. And when the army was assailed from the rear with javelins and pelted with stones by the townsfolk, they made for the river Rhodanus, and there, having cast cloths over (their passage), sought the farther bank.

Sed multus ex his violentia amnis direptos enegavit, fecitque Rhodanus tunc Arvernis, quod fecisse quondam Semoes legitur de Troianis: Correpta sub undis Scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit. Apparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto. Qui vix nandi, ut diximus, inpulso parmarumque adiuti amminiculo, litoris alterius plana contingere potuerunt.

But the great violence of the river carried many of them off, and the Rhodanus then made of the Arverni what Semoes is read once to have made of the Trojans: seized beneath the waves he turns shields of men and helmets and valiant bodies. Scattered swimmers appear in the vast whirlpool. Those who, as we said, were scarcely able to swim, with a thrust and helped by the small buoyancy of shields, could just reach the plain of the opposite shore.

Qui nudati a rebus, ab equitibus distituti, non sine grande contumelia patriae restituti sunt. Firmino tamen et Adovario discedendi via indulta est. Magni ibi tunc viri ex Arvernis non solum torrentes impetu rapti, verum etiam gladiorum ictibus sunt prostrati.

Those stripped of their goods, cut off from their horsemen, were restored to their country not without great disgrace. Yet a route of departure was granted to Firminius and Adovarius. There many great men of the Arverni were then not only swept away by the violence of the torrents, but also felled by the blows of swords.

Ac sic Gunthchramnus rex, recepta urbe illa, iuxta consuetudinem bonitatis suae Avennicam ditionibus fratres sui restituit.

And so King Gunthchramnus, that city having been received, according to the custom of his goodness restored Avennica to the dominion of his brothers.

31. De Tauredune castro et aliis signis.

31. Concerning the fortress of Tauredun and other signs.

Igitur in Galliis magnum prodigium de Taureduno castro apparuit. Super Rhodanum enim fluvium collocatum erat. Qui cum per dies amplius sexaginta nescio quem mugitum daret, tandem scissus atque separatus mons ille ab alio monte sibi propinquo, cum hominibus, eclesiis opibusque ac domibus in fluvium ruit, exclusaque amnis illius litora, aqua retrorsum petiit.

Therefore in Gaul a great prodigy appeared concerning the fortress of Tauredun. For it was situated above the river Rhodanus. Which, since it gave some sort of lowing or roaring for more than 60 days, at last that mountain, split and sundered from another neighboring mountain, with its people, churches, wealth and houses, fell into the river; and with the banks of that stream shut off, the water sought backward.

Locus etenim ille ab utraque parte a montibus concluserat, inter quorum angustias torrens defluit. Inundans ergo superiorem partem, quae ripae insedebant operuit atque delevit. Adcumulata enim aqua erumpens deursum, inopinatus repperiens homines, ut desuper fecerat, ipsos enegavit, domus evertit, iumenta delevit et cuncta quae litoribus illis insedebant usque ad Ienubam civitatem violenta atque subita inundatione deripuit atque subvertit.

For that place indeed was closed in on both sides by mountains, between whose narrows a torrent ran down. The flood therefore covered and destroyed the upper part which the banks occupied. For the accumulated water, bursting forth downward, finding the people unexpectedly, as it had done from above, drowned them, overturned houses, destroyed the beasts of burden, and with a violent and sudden inundation swept away and subverted all things settled on those banks as far as the city Ienuba.

Traditur a multis, tantam congeriem inibi aquae fuisse, ut in antedictam civitatem super muros ingrederetur. Quod dubium non est, quia, ut diximus, Rhodanus in locis illius inter angustias montium defluit, nec habuit in latere, cum fuit exclusus, quo se deverteret. Commotumque montem, qui descenderat, adsemel erupit et sic cuncta delevit.

It is reported by many that there was such an accumulation of water there that it entered the aforesaid city over the walls. This is not doubtful, for, as we said, the Rhone in that place runs between the narrow passes of the mountains, and when it was blocked it had no side by which to turn aside. And the mountain that had come down, being set in motion, burst forth all at once and so destroyed everything.

Quod cum factum fuisset, triginta monachi, unde caster ruerat, advenerunt, et terram illam, quae monte deruente remanserat, fodientes, aes sive ferrum repperiunt. Quod dum agerent, mugitum montes, ut prius fuerat, audierunt. Sed dum a saeva cupiditate retenerentur, pars illa quae nondum deruerat super eos cecidit, quos operuit atque interfecit, nec ultra inventi sunt.

When this had been done, thirty monks came from the place where the castle had collapsed, and, digging the earth that had remained from the mountain’s falling, they found copper (aes) or iron. While they were doing this, they heard the mountains bellow, as had been heard before. But while they were detained by fierce greed, that portion which had not yet fallen came down upon them, covered and killed those men, and they were found no more.

Similiter et ante cladem Arvernam magna regionem illam prodigia terruerunt. Nam plerumque tres et quattuor splendores magni circa solem apparuerunt, quod rustici soles vocabant, dicentes: 'Ecce tres vel quattuor soles in caelum!' Quadam tamen vice in Kalendis Octobribus ita sol obscuratus apparuit, ut nec quarta quidem pars in eodem lucens remaneret, sed teter atque decolor apparens, quasi saccus videbatur. Nam et stilla, quam quidam comiten vocant, radium tamquam gladium habens, super regionem illam per annum integrum apparuit, et caelum ardere visum est, et multa alia signa apparuerunt.

Similarly, and before the calamity prodigies terrified that great Arvernian region. For commonly three or four great splendors appeared around the sun, which the rustics called "soles," saying, "Behold three or four suns in the sky!" Yet on one occasion, on the Kalends of October, the sun appeared so obscured that not even one-fourth of it remained shining, but appearing foul and decoloured, it seemed like a sack. For also a little drop, which some call a comet, bearing a ray like a sword, appeared over that region for the whole year, and the sky was seen to burn, and many other signs appeared.

In eclesia vero Arverna, dum matutinae caelebrarentur vigiliae in quadam festivitate, aves coredallus, quam alaudam vocamus, ingressa, omnia luminaria quae lucebant, alis superpositis in tanta velocitate extinguit, ut putaris, ea in unius hominis manu posita aquae fuisse submersa; in sacrarium autem sub velo transiens, cicindelum extinguere voluit; sed ab ostiariis prohibita atque occisa est. Simili et in basilica beati Andreae de lichinis lucentibus avis alia fecit. Iam vero adveniente ipsa clade, tanta strages de populo per totam regionem illam facta est, ut nec numerare possit, quantae ibidem ceciderunt legiones.

In the Arvernian church, while morning vigils were being celebrated on a certain festivity, a bird called coredallus, which we call a lark, having entered, with its wings laid upon them extinguished all the lamps that were burning with such swiftness that you would think they had been plunged into water held in the hand of a single man; and passing under the veil into the sanctuary it wished to put out the little lamp (cicindelum); but it was prevented by the doorkeepers and was killed. Likewise in the basilica of Blessed Andrew another bird did the same among the shining lichinis. But when the calamity itself arrived, so great a slaughter of the people was made throughout that whole region that one cannot reckon how many legions there fell there.

Nam cum iam sarcofagi aut tabulae defecissent, decim aut eo amplius in unam humi fossam sepeliebantur. Numerati sunt autem quadam dominica in una beati Petri basilicam tricenta defunctorum corpora. Erat enim et ipsa mors subita.

For when the sarcophagi or planks had failed, ten or more were buried in a single pit in the ground. Moreover, on one Sunday three hundred bodies of the dead were counted in one basilica of Saint Peter. For the death itself was sudden.

Nam nascente in inguene aut in ascella vulnus in modum serpentis, ita interficiebatur homo ille a veneno, ut die altera aut tercia spiritum exalaret. Sed et sensum vis illa veneni auferebat ab homine. Tunc et Cato presbiter mortuos est.

For when a wound like a serpent arose in the groin or in the axilla, that man was so slain by the venom that on the second or third day he breathed his last. But that force of the poison also took away sensation from the man. Then Cato the presbyter likewise died.

Nam cum de hac lue multi fugissent, ille tamen populum sepeliens et missas viritim dicens, numquam ab eo loco discessit. Hic autem presbiter multae humanitatis et satis dilectur pauperum fuit; et credo, haec causa ei, si quid superbiae habuit, medicamentum fuit. Cautinus autem episcopus cum diversa loca, hanc cladem timens, circuisset, ad civitatem regressus est; et haec incurrens, parasciven passiones dominicae obiit.

For although many had fled from this pestilence, he nevertheless, burying the people and saying the Masses severally, never departed from that place. This presbyter, moreover, was of much humanity and greatly beloved of the poor; and I believe that this was to him, if he had any pride, a medicine. But Cautinus the bishop, having gone about to diverse places, fearing this calamity, returned to the city; and encountering these things, he died on Good Friday.

Nam ipsa hora et Tetradius, consubrinus eius, mortuus est. Tunc et Lugdunum, Bitorex, Cabillonum atque Divione ab hac infirmitate valde depopulatae sunt.

For at that very hour Tetradius, his cousin, also died. Then Lugdunum, Bitorex, Cabillonum, and Divione were greatly depopulated by this infirmity.

32. De Iuliano monacho.

32. Concerning Iulianus the monk.

Erat tunc temporis apud Randanensim monasterium civitatis Arvernae presbiter praeclarae virtutis Iulianus nomine, vir magnae abstinentiae, qui neque vinum neque ullum pulmentum utebatur, cilicio omni tempore sub tunicam habens, in vigiliis promtus, in oratione assiduus; cui inerguminos curare, caecos illuminare vel reliquas infirmitates depellere per invocationem dominici nominis et signaculum sanctae crucis facile erat. Idem cum stando pedes ab humore haberet infectos et ei diceretur, cur contra possibilitatem corporis semper staret, dicere cum ioco spirituali erat solitus: 'Faciunt opus meum, dum et vita comis est, nec me eorum sustentatio, Domino iubente, relinquid' . Nam videmus eum quadam vice in basilica beati Iuliam martyris inerguminum verbo tantum curasse. Quartanariis et aliis febribus saepe per orationem remedia conferebat.

At that time in the monastery of Randan, in the city of Arverna, there was a priest of outstanding virtue named Iulianus, a man of great abstinence, who used neither wine nor any pottage, wearing a cilicium at all times beneath his tunic, prompt in vigils, constant in prayer; to him it was easy by invocation of the Lord’s name and by the signaculum of the holy cross to cure the maimed, to illumine the blind, or to drive off other infirmities. The same man, when standing, had his feet infected from moisture, and when he was asked why he always stood against the possibility of his body, he was wont, with a spiritual jest, to say: "They do my work, while life is also kind, nor does their support, the Lord commanding, abandon me." For we see him on one occasion in the basilica of the blessed martyr Iulia to have cured the maimed by word alone. He often brought remedies to those with quartan and other fevers by prayer.

Qui sub hoc tempore lues dierum atque virtutum plenus ex hoc mundo est adsumptus in requie.

Who, at this time, full of a plenitude of days and of virtues, was taken from this world into rest.

33. De Sunniulfo abbate.

33. Of Abbot Sunniulfus.

Transiet tunc et abba monasterii ipsius, cui Sunniulfus successit, vir totius simplicitatis et caritatis. Nam plerumque hospitum pedes ipse abluebat manibusque ipse tergebat: unum tantum, quod gregem commissum non timore, sed supplicatione regebat. Ipse quoque referre erat solitus, ductum se per visum ad quoddam flumen igneum, in quo ab una parte litoris concurrentes populi ceu apes ad alvearia mergebantur; et erant alii usque ad cingulum, alii vero usque ascellas, nonnulli usque mentum, clamantes cum fletu se vehementer aduri.

Then likewise passed away the abbot of that very monastery, to whom Sunniulfus succeeded, a man of complete simplicity and charity. For he for the most part washed the feet of guests himself and wiped them with his own hands: only one thing — that he ruled the flock entrusted to him not by fear but by supplication. He also was wont to relate that he had been led in a vision to a certain fiery river, in which on one side the peoples running to the shore were plunged, like bees into their hives; and some were up to the girdle, others indeed up to the armpits, some up to the chin, crying out with weeping that they were being fiercely burned.

Erat enim et pons super fluvium positus ita angustus, ut vix unius vestigii latitudinem recipere possit. Apparebat autem et in alia parte litoris domus magna, extrinsecus dealbata. Tunc his qui cum eo erant, quid sibi haec velint, interrogat.

For there was also a bridge set over the river so narrow that it could scarcely receive the breadth of a single footstep. And on the other side of the shore there appeared a great house, whitened on the outside. Then he asked those who were with him what these things might mean.

At illi dixerunt: 'De hoc enim ponte praecipitabitur, qui ad distringendum commissum gregem fuerit repertus ignavus; qui vero strenuus fuerit, sine periculo transit et inducitur laetus in domum quam conspicis ultra'. Haec audiens, a somno excutitur, multo deinceps monachis severior apparens.

But they said to him: 'For over this bridge will be cast down whoever, having been entrusted with the flock, is found idle in the task of disciplining it; but whoever is active will pass without danger and will be led joyfully into the house that you behold beyond.' Hearing this, he was shaken from sleep, thenceforth appearing much sterner to the monks.

34. De Burdigalense monacho.

34. Concerning the Burdigalense monk.

Quid etiam apud quendam monasterium eo tempore actum sit, pandam; nomen autem monachi, quia superest, nominare nolo, ne, cum haec scripta ad eum pervenerit, vanam incurrens gloriam reviliscat. Quidam iuvenis ad monasterium veniens, abbati se commendavit, ut in Dei servitium degeret. Cui ille cum multa obiceret, dicens, durum esse servitium illius loci, nec omnino tanta possit implere, quanta ei iungebantur: se omnia impleturum, invocato nomine Domini, pollicetur.

I will reveal also what took place at a certain monastery at that time; yet I will not name the monk’s name, because it survives, lest, when these things are written and come to him, he rekindle vain glory by running after it. A certain young man, coming to the monastery, committed himself to the abbot, that he might live in the service of God. To whom, when the abbot objected many things, saying that the service of that place was harsh, and that he could by no means fulfil so much as was imposed upon him, he promises, invoking the name of the Lord, that he will fulfil all things.

Sicque collectus est ab abbate. Factum est autem post paucos dies, dum in humilitate atque sanctitate se in omnibus exiberet, ut expellentes monachi de horrea anonas quasi choros III ad solem siccare ponerent, quas huic custodire praecipiunt. Dum autem, reficientibus aliis, hic ad custodiam resideret anonae, subito nubilatum est caelum, et ecce!

And so he was received by the abbot. It came to pass, however, after a few days, while he showed himself in all things in humility and sanctity, that the monks, having driven [others] from the granary, set the provisions out to dry in the sun in three ranks, which they ordered him to keep watch over. But while, the others taking refreshment, he sat down to the custody of the grain, suddenly the sky grew overcast, and behold!

imber validus cum rumore venti festinus ad anonae congeriem propinquabat. Quod cernens monachus, quid ageret, quid faceret, nesciebat. Tractans autem, quod, si ceteros vocaret, prae multitudine hoc recondire ante pluviam in horrea non valerent, cuncta postposita, ad orationem convertitur, Dominum deprecans, ne super triticum illud imbris illius gutta descenderet.

A heavy rain, with the roar of the wind, was hastening toward the annona’s congerie of grain. Seeing this, the monk did not know what to do or what to make. Considering that if he were to call the others, on account of the multitude they would not be able to stow this away into the granaries before the storm, all else put aside he turned to prayer, beseeching the Lord that not a single drop of that rain fall upon that wheat.

Quod cum se terrae deiciens exoraret, divisa est nubis, et circa anonam pluvia valde diffusa est, nullum granum tritici, si dici fas est, humectans. Cumque reliqui monachi cum abbate haec consentientes, velociter ut anonam collegerent advenissent, cernunt hoc miraculum, requirentesque custodem, inveniunt haut procul harene deiectum orantem. Quod videns abbas, se post eum prosternit, et pertranseunte pluvia, consumata oratione, vocat, ut surgeret; quem apprehensum verberibus agi praecepit, dicens: 'Oportet enim te, fili, in timore et servitio Dei humiliter crescere, non prodigiis atque virtutibus gloriari'. Reclusumque in cellulam septem dies eum sicut culpabilem ieiunare praecepit, quo ab eo vanam gloriam, ne ei aliquid impedimentum generaret, averteret.

When he, prostrate upon the ground, prayed, the cloud was split, and rain was very widely shed around the anona (the grain‑store), wetting not a single grain of wheat, if it may be said. And when the remaining monks, agreeing with the abbot, had quickly come to gather the anona, they behold this miracle, and, searching for the custodian, find him not far off cast down on the sand and praying. The abbot, seeing this, prostrated himself behind him, and as the rain passed over and the prayer was completed, called for him to rise; whom, having seized, he ordered to be driven with blows, saying, “For it is fitting that you, son, grow humbly in the fear and service of God, not boast in prodigies and virtues.” And having shut him up in a cell, he ordered him to fast like one guilty for seven days, that he might avert vain glory from him, lest it breed any impediment to him.

Nunc autem idem monachus, ut a fidelibus viris cognovimus, in tanta abstinentia est devotus, ut in diebus quadragesimae nullum alimentum panis accipiat, nisi tantum die tertia plenum calicem thisinae hauriat. Quem Dominus, orantibus vobis, usque vitae consumationem, ut sibi placeat, custodire dignetur.

Now moreover the same monk, as we learned from faithful men, is devoted in so great abstinence that in the days of Lent he takes no food of bread, except only on the third day he draws a full cup of thisinae. May the Lord, by your prayers, deign to keep him until the consumption of life, that he may be pleasing to Himself.

35. De episcopatu Abiti Arverni.

35. On the bishopric of Abit of the Arverni.

Defuncto igitur, ut diximus, apud Arvernum Cautino episcopo, plerique intendebant propter episcopatum, offerentes multa, plurima promittentes. Nam Eufrasius presbiter, filius quondam senatoris Euvodi, susceptas a Iudaeis species magnas regi per cognatum suum Beregisilum misit, ut scilicet, quod meritis optinere non poterat, praemiis optineret. Erat quidem elegans in conversatione, sed non erat castus in opere, et plerumque inebriabat barbaros, sed rare reficiebat egenos.

Therefore, when, as we said, Bishop Cautinus of Arvernum had died, many were intent upon the episcopate, offering much and promising very much. For Eufrasius the presbyter, son of the former senator Euvodius, sent by means of his kinsman Beregisilus great gifts received from the Jews to the king, so that, namely, what he could not obtain by merits he might obtain by rewards. He was indeed elegant in conversation, but not chaste in deed, and he commonly made the barbarians drunk, but seldom refreshed the needy.

Et credo, haec causa obstitit, ut non optineret, quia non per Deum, sed per homines adipisci voluit hos honores. Sed nec illud potuit immutari, quod Dominus per os sancti Quintiani locutus est, quia: 'Non surgit de stirpe Hortinsi, qui regat ecclesiam Dei'. Congregatos igitur Abitus archidiaconus clericis in ecclesia Arverna nulla quidem promisit, sed tamen accepto consensu ad regem petiit; voluitque ei tunc Firminus, qui in hac civitate comitatum potitus fuerat, impedire; sed ipse non abiit. Amici autem eius, qui in hac causa directi fuerant, rogabant regem, ut saltim una dominica praeteriret, ut hic non benediceretur; quod si propalaretur, mille aureos regi darent; sed rex his non adnuit.

And I believe this was the cause that he did not obtain it, because he wished to gain these honors not by God but by men. Nor could that be changed also, which the Lord spoke through the mouth of Saint Quintian: "No one rises from the stock of Hortensius who shall rule the church of God." Therefore Abitus the archdeacon, having gathered the clerics in the Arvernian church, promised nothing indeed, but nevertheless, having received their consent, petitioned the king; and Firminus, who had held the county in that city, wished then to impede him; but he did not depart. His friends, however, who had been chief in this affair, begged the king that at least he pass by on one Sunday so that he might not be blessed here; and if this were made public, they would give the king a thousand aurei; but the king did not assent to these things.

Factum est ergo, ut, congregatis in unum civibus Arvernis, beatus Abitus, qui tunc temporis, ut diximus, erat archidiaconus, a clero et populo electus cathedram pontificatus acciperet; quem rex in tanto honore dilexit, ut parumper rigorem canonicum praeteriens, in sua eum praesentia benedici iuberet, dicens: 'Merear de manu eius eulogias accipere'. Haec enim gratia fecit, ut apud Metensim urbem benediceretur. Idem, accepto episcopatu, magnum se in omnibus praebuit, iustitiam populis tribuens, pauperibus opem, viduis solacium pupillisque maximum adiumentum. Iam si peregrinus ad eum advenerit, ita diligitur, ut in eodem se habere et patrem recognoscat et patriam; qui cum magnis virtutibus floreat et omnia quae Deo sunt placita ex toto corde custodiat, iniquam in omnibus extirpans luxuriam, iustam Dei inserit castitatem.

It happened therefore that, the Arvernian citizens having been gathered into one, blessed Abitus, who at that time, as we said, was archdeacon, was chosen by the clergy and people to receive the chair of the pontificate; whom the king loved in so great an honour that, passing briefly over canonical rigor, he ordered him to be blessed in his presence, saying, 'May I deserve to receive eulogies from his hand.' For this grace caused that he be blessed at the Metensian city. The same, having received the episcopate, showed himself great in all things, granting justice to the peoples, aid to the poor, solace to widows and the greatest assistance to orphans. Now if a stranger comes to him, he is so beloved that he recognizes in him both father and fatherland; who, flourishing with great virtues and keeping all things pleasing to God with his whole heart, rooting out iniquitous luxury in all things, implants the just chastity of God.

36. De sancto Nicetio Lugdunense.

36. Concerning Saint Nicetius of Lyons.

Decedente vero apud Parisios post sinodum illam quae Saffaracum expulit Sacerdote Lugdunense episcopo, sanctus Nicetius ab ipso, sicut in libro vitae eius scripsimus, electus suscepit episcopatum, vir totius sanctitatis egregius, castae conversationis. Caritatem vero, quam apostolus cum omnibus, si possibile esset, observare praecepit, hic possibiliter ita in cunctis exercuit, ut in eius pectore ipse Dominus, qui est vera caritas, cerneretur. Nam si et commotus contra aliquem pro neglegentia fuit, ita protinus emendatum recepit, tanquam si non fuisset offensus.

With the Bishop of Lyons having died at Paris after that synod which expelled Saffaracus the priest, Saint Nicetius was, by him, as we wrote in his book of life, elected and received the episcopate — a man outstanding in all sanctity, of chaste conversation. And the charity which the Apostle commanded to be shown to all, if it were possible, he in every respect exercised as far as possible, so that in his breast the Lord himself, who is true charity, was perceived. For if he was even moved against someone on account of negligence, he received correction so promptly as if he had not been offended.

Erat enim castigator delinquentium poenitentumque remissor, elemosinarius atque strenuus in labore; ecclesias erigere, domos componere, serere agros, vineas pastinare diligentissime studebat. Sed non eum hae res ab oratione turbabant. Hic, 22 annis sacerdotio ministrato, migravit ad Dominum; qui nunc magna miracula ad suum tumulum exorantibus praestat.

For he was a chastiser of the delinquent and a remitter of penitents, an almoner and strenuous in labor; he strove most diligently to erect churches, to arrange houses, to sow fields, to tend vineyards. But these things did not disturb him from prayer. This man, after having ministered in the priesthood for 22 years, migrated to the Lord; who now grants great miracles to those entreating at his tomb.

Nam de oleo cicindelis, qui ad ipsum sepulchrum cotidie accenditur, caecorum oculis lumen reddit, daemones de obsessis corporibus fugat, contractis membris restituit sanitatem et omnibus infirmis magnum in hoc tempore habetur praesidium. Igitur Priscus episcopus, qui ei successerat, cum coniuge sua Susanna coepit persequi ac interficere multos de his quos vir Dei familiares habuerat, non culpa aliqua victos, non in crimine comprobatos, non furto deprehensos, tantum inflammante malitia invidus, cur ei fideles fuissent. Declamabat multa blasphemia ipse cum coniuge de sancto Dei; et cum diu multoque tempore observatum fuisset ab anterioribus pontificibus, ut mulier domum non ingrederetur ecclesiae, haec cum puellis etiam in cellula, in qua vir beatus quieverat, introibat.

For regarding the oil of the cicindela, which is kindled daily at his very sepulchre, it restores light to the eyes of the blind, drives demons from possessed bodies, restores health to contracted limbs, and at this time is held a great praesidium for all the infirm. Therefore Priscus the bishop, who had succeeded him, together with his spouse Susanna began to persecute and put to death many of those whom the man of God had had as familiares, not conquered for any culpa, not proved in crimen, not taken in furtum, but solely through inflaming malice, envious because they had been faithful to him. He himself with his wife uttered many blasphemies against the holy man of God; and although it had long and for much time been observed by earlier pontifices that a woman should not enter the domus of the church, she would enter with girls even into the cell in which the blessed man had rested.

Sed pro his commota tandem divina maiestas ulta est in familia Prisci episcopi. Nam coniux eius daemone arrepta, dimissis crinibus per totam urbem insana vexabatur, et sanctum Dei, quem sana negaverat, amicum Christi confessa, ut sibi parceret, declamabat. Episcopus ille a tipo quartano correptus, tremorem incurrit.

But in response to these things the divine majesty at last took vengeance on the household of Bishop Priscus. For his wife, seized by a demon and with her hair let loose, raved madly through the whole city, and, confessing the holy man of God — whom, when sane, she had denied — to be a friend of Christ and begging that he spare her, she declaimed. That bishop, struck by a quartan fever, fell into a trembling.

Nam cum typus ille recessisset, hic semper tremens habebatur ac stupidus. Filius quoque omnisque familia decolor esse videbatur ac stupida, ut nulli sit dubium, eos a sancti viri virtute percussos. Semper enim Priscus episcopus eiusque familia contra sanctum Dei nefariis vocibus oblatrabant, ipsumque sibi amicum esse dicentes, quicumque de eo inproperia evomuisset.

For when that image had departed, he was ever held trembling and stupefied. His son and the whole household likewise seemed pale and dull of wit, so that there is no doubt they were struck by the virtue of the holy man. For Priscus the bishop and his family continually blustered against the saint of God with nefarious voices, and, declaring him to be their friend, those who had vomited reproaches about him.

Iusserat enim in primordio episcopatus sui aedificium domus ecclesiasticae exaltari; et diaconus, quem saepe pro facinus adulterii sanctus Dei, dum esset in corpore, non solum a communione removerat, sed etiam saepius caedi praeceperat et numquam eum ad emendationem reducere potuit, hic ascendens super tectum domus illius, cum detegere coepisset, ait: 'Gratias tibi ago, Iesu Christe, quod post mortem iniquissimi Nicetii super hunc tectum calcare promerui'. Adhuc verba in ore pendebant, et statim subductus a pedibus eius rubor in quo stabat, cecidit ad terram crepuitque et mortuus est. Cum autem episcopus vel coniux eius multa contra rationem agerent, apparuit cuidam sanctus per somnium, dicens: 'Vade et dic Prisco, ut emendetur ab operibus malis, et fiant opera eius bona. Martino quoque presbitero dicis: ìQuia consentis his operibus, castigandus eris; et si emendare perversitatem tuam nolueris, morieris"'. At ille evigilans, locutus est diacono cuidam, dicens: 'Vade, quaeso, eo quod sis amicus in domo episcopi, et haec loquere sive episcopo sive Martino presbitero' . Promisit se diaconus locuturum, sed retractans, noluit ea fari.

For he had ordered at the beginning of his episcopate that the building of the episcopal house be exalted; and the deacon, whom the holy man of God, while he was in the flesh, had often removed from communion for the crime of adultery, and had moreover frequently ordered to be beaten and could never bring back to amendment, this man, climbing upon the roof of that house, when he began to uncover it, said: “I give you thanks, Jesus Christ, that after the death of the most wicked Nicetius I have deserved to trample upon this roof.” The words still hung on his lips, and immediately the tile on which he stood gave way from under his feet; he fell to the ground, it broke with a crack, and he was dead. But when the bishop or his wife were doing many things against reason, a certain holy man appeared to one in a dream, saying: “Go and tell Priscus to be corrected from evil works, and that his works be made good. Also tell the presbyter Martin: because you consent to these works, you shall be chastised; and if you will not amend your perversity, you will die.” He, waking, spoke to a certain deacon, saying: “Go, I beg you, because you are a friend in the bishop’s house, and say these things either to the bishop or to the presbyter Martin.” The deacon promised that he would speak, but withdrawing, he would not do it.

Nocte autem cum se sopori dedisset, apparuit ei sanctus, dicens: 'Cur non dixisti quae tibi abba locutus est?' Et clausis pugnis coepit guttur eius caedere. Mane autem facto, inflatis faucibus cum magno dolore, accessit ad viros et omnia quae audierat intimavit. At illi parvi pendentes ea quae audierant, fantasiam somniorum esse dixerunt.

But when at night he had given himself over to sleep, a saint appeared to him, saying, 'Why did you not relate what the abba spoke to you?' And with his fists clenched his throat began to bleed. When morning had come, his throat swollen with great pain, he went to the men and reported all that he had heard. But those petty, dismissive ones said that what they had heard was a fantasy of dreams.

Martinus vero presbiter statim inruit in febre et aegrotans convaluit; sed cum semper adolatorie episcopo loqueretur et consentiret in malis actibus ac blasphemiis, quae in sanctum evomebant, iterum in febre redactus, spiritum exalavit.

Martin the priest, however, was at once struck down by fever and, sick, recovered; but since he always spoke adulatorily to the bishop and consented to wicked acts and blasphemies which vomited forth against the saint, being again brought low by fever, he breathed forth his spirit.

37. De sancto Friardo recluso.

37. Concerning Saint Friard the recluse.

Sanctus vero Friardus hoc nihilominus tempore quo sanctus Nicetius obiit plenus dierum, sanctitate egregius, actione sublimis, vita nobilis; de cuius miraculis quaedam in libro, quem de vita eius scripsimus, memoravimus. In cuius transitu, adveniente Felice episcopo, cellula tota contremuit. Unde non ambigo, aliquid ibidem fuisse angelicum, quod sic locus ille ipso transeunte tremuerit.

Saint Friard, nevertheless, at that same time in which Saint Nicetius died, was full of days, eminent in sanctity, lofty in action, noble in life; of whose miracles some we have related in the book which we wrote concerning his life. At his passing, with Bishop Felice approaching, the whole cell trembled. Wherefore I do not doubt that there was something angelic there, which so caused that place to quake at his very transit.

Quem episcopus abluens atque dignis vestimentis involvens, sepulturae mandavit.

Whom the bishop, having washed him and enwrapping him in dignified garments, committed to burial.

38. De regibus Hispanorum.

38. On the kings of the Spaniards.

Ergo, ut ad historiam recurramus, mortuo apud Hispaniam Athanaeldo rege, Leuva cum Leuvieldo fratre regnum accepit. Defuncto igitur Leuvane, Leuvieldus, frater eius, totum regnum occupavit. Qui, uxorem mortuam, Gunsuintham, reginae Brunichildis matrem, accepit, duos filios de prima uxore habens, quorum unus Sigyberthi, alius Chilperici filiam disponsavit.

Therefore, to return to the history: after King Athanaeld died in Spain, Leuva, together with his brother Leuvieldus, took the kingdom. When Leuva therefore had died, Leuvieldus, his brother, seized the whole kingdom. He took as wife the widow Gunsuinth, mother of Queen Brunichild, having two sons by his first wife, one of whom he gave in marriage to Sigybert’s daughter, the other to Chilperic’s daughter.

Ille quoque inter eos regnum aequaliter divisit, interficiens omnes illos qui regis interemere consueverant, non relinquens ex eis mingentem ad parietem.

He likewise divided the kingdom equally among them, killing all those who had been accustomed to murder kings, not leaving even one of them urinating at the wall.

39. De interitu Palladi Arverni.

39. On the death of Pallas the Arvernian.

Palladius autem, Britiani quondam comites ac Caesariae filius, comitatum in urbe Gabalitana, Sigibertho rege inpertiente, promeruit, sed orta intentio inter ipsum Partheniumque episcopum valde populum conlidebat. Nam plerumque conviciis ac diversis oppropriis criminibusque obruebat episcopum, pervadens res eclesiae spoliansque homines eius. Unde factum est, ut, hac intentione crescente, cum ad praesentiam iam dicti principes properassent et diversa sibi invicem obiectarent, mollem episcopum, effeminatum Palladius vocitaret: 'Ubi sunt mariti tui, cum quibus stoprose ac turpiter vivis?' Sed haec in sacerdote verba prolata divina confestim ultio subsequens abolevit.

Palladius, moreover, once a count of the Britons and son of Caesaria, obtained a comitatus in the city of Gabalitana, King Sigiberth granting it, but a hostile intent between him and Bishop Parthenius sorely disturbed the people. For he frequently overwhelmed the bishop with abuse and diverse opprobia and accusations, pervading the affairs of the church and despoiling his men. Whence it came to pass that, this malice increasing, when the said princes had already hastened to the presence and were casting diverse charges at one another, Palladius called the mild, effeminate bishop: “Where are your husbands, with whom you live indecently and shamefully?” But these words spoken against the priest were straightaway wiped away by divine vengeance following.

Nam anno sequenti remotus a comitatu Palladius, Arvernum regressus est; Romanus vero comitatum ambivit. Factum est autem, ut quadam die in urbe Arverna uterque coniungerint, et altercantibus inter se pro hac actione comitatus, audivit Palladius se a Sigybertho rege debere interfeci. Sed falsa haec et maxime a Romano emissa depraehensa sunt.

For in the following year Palladius, having been removed from his retinue, returned to the Arvernian land; Romanus, however, went about the retinue. It happened, moreover, that on a certain day in the Arvernian city the two joined, and while they were wrangling with one another over this business of the retinue, Palladius heard that he ought to be killed by King Sigyberht. But these things were false, and were shown to have been chiefly uttered by Romanus.

Tunc ille timore perterritus, ita in angustia gravi redactus est, ut minaretur se propria dextera peremere. Cumque a matre vel a cognato suo Firmino intente adtenderetur, ne perficeret quod mente amara conciperat, per intervalla horarum elapsus a matris aspectu, ingressus cubiculum, accepto spatio solitudinis, evaginato gladium cornuaque ensis pedibus calcans, acumen ad pectus erexit, inpraessusque desuper gladius, ab una ingressus mammilla, in spadolam dorsi egressus est, erectusque iterum, similiter in alia mammilla perfossus, cecidit et mortuus est. Quod non sine diabuli opere scelus perfectum mirati sumus; nam prima eum plaga interficere potuit, si non diabulus sustentaculum praebuisset, quod haec nefanda peragerit.

Then he, terrified by fear, was reduced into such severe anguish that he threatened to destroy himself with his own right hand. And when he was closely watched by his mother or by his brother-in-law Firminus, so that he might not accomplish what his bitter mind conceived, after intervals of hours had passed from his mother’s sight, he entered a chamber, having seized the opportunity of solitude; having drawn his sword and pressing the hilt with his feet, he set the point to his breast, and the sword, driven down from above, entered one nipple, issued forth through the shoulder-blade of his back, and, standing up again, likewise having been thrust through the other nipple, he fell and died. We marveled that this crime was accomplished not without the devil’s work; for the first wound could have killed him, if the devil had not furnished a support by which these nefarious deeds were carried out.

Currit mater exanimis et supra filii corpusculum orbata conlabitur, atque omnes familia voces planctus emittit. Verumtamen ad monasthirium Chrononensim delatus, sepulturae mandatus, sed non iuxta christianorum cadavera positus, sed nec missarum solemnia meruit; quod non ob alia causa nisi ob iniuriam episcopi haec ei evenisse probantur.

The mother runs breathless and, bereft, falls collapsed over her son's little body, and the whole household utters voices of lamentation. Nevertheless, having been conveyed to the monastery of Chrononense and committed to burial, he was not placed beside the cadavers of Christians, nor did he merit the solemnities of the Masses; these things are shown to have happened to him for no other cause than by reason of the bishop's injustice.

40. De imperio Iustini.

40. On the reign of Justin.

Defuncto igitur apud urbem Constantinopolitanam Iustiniano imperatore, Iustinus ambivit imperio, vir in omni avaritia deditus, contemptor pauperorum, senatorum spoliatur; cui tanta fuit cupiditas, ut arcas iuberet fieri ferreas, in quibus numismati auri talenta congererit. Quem etiam ferunt in heresi Pelagiana dilapsum. Nam non post multum tempus ex sensu effectus, Tiberium caesarem sibi adscivit ad defensandas provintias suas, hominem iustum, elimosinarium, aequiter discernentem obtenentemque victorias et, quod omnibus supereminit bonis, esse virissimum christianum.

Therefore, when Emperor Justinian had died in the Constantinopolitan city, Justin aspired to the empire — a man given wholly to avarice, a despiser of the poor, a plunderer of senators; whose greed was such that he ordered iron chests to be made in which he might heap up talents of gold coin. They also report that he lapsed into the Pelagian heresy. For not long after, having recovered his senses, he chose Tiberius as Caesar to himself to defend his provinces — a just man, an almsgiver, judging equitably and winning victories, and, what surpasses all good things, a most vigorous Christian.

Denique Sigyberthus rex legatus ad Iustinum imperatorem misit, pacem petens, id est Warmarium Francum et Firminum Arvernum. Qui euntis evectu navali, Constantinopolitanam sunt urbem ingressi, locutique tamen cum imperatore, quae petierant obtenuerunt. In alium tamen annum in Galliis sunt regressi.

Finally King Sigyberht sent envoys to Emperor Justin seeking peace, namely Warmarius the Frank and Firminus of Auvergne. Being conveyed by a naval voyage, they entered the Constantinopolitan city, and having spoken with the emperor they obtained what they had asked. Yet they returned to Gaul in the next year.

Post haec autem Anthiocia Egypti et Apamiae Siriae maximae civitatis a Persis captae sunt, et populus captivus abductus. Basilica tunc sancti Iuliam Anthiocensis martyris gravi incendio concremata est. Ad Iustinum autem imperatorem Persi-Armeni cum magno syrici intexti pondere venerunt, petentes amicitias eius atque narrantis, se imperatori Persarum esse infensus.

After these things, Antioch of Egypt and Apamea of Syria, very great cities, were taken by the Persians, and the populace was carried off captive. The basilica then of Saint Julian, martyr of Antioch, was consumed by a fierce fire. To Emperor Justin, moreover, Perso‑Armenians came with a great weight of Syrian levies woven into their force, seeking his friendship and declaring that they were hostile to the emperor of the Persians.

Venerant enim ad eos legati eius, dicentes: 'Sollicitudo imperialis sciscitatur, si foedus initum cum eo custodiatis intactum'. Respondentibus illis, omnia ab his pollicita inlibata servari, dixerunt legati: 'In hoc apparebit, vos eius amicitias custodire, si ignem, ut ille veneratur, adoraveritis' . Respondente populo, nequaquam se hoc facturum, ait episcopus, qui coram erat: 'Quae est in igne deitas, ut venerari quaeat? Quem Deus ad usus hominum procreavit, qui fomentis accenditur, aqua restinguitur, adhibitus urit, neglectus tepiscit'. Haec et his similia episcopo prosequente, legati furore succensi, actum convitiis fustibus caedunt. Cernens autem populus sacerdotem suum sanguine cruentatum, super legatus inruunt, manus iniciunt interemuntque et, sicut diximus, huius imperatoris amicitias petierunt.

For his legates had come to them, saying: "The imperial solicitude inquires whether you will keep the treaty concluded with him intact." When they answered that all things promised by them would be kept unviolated, the legates said: "In this will appear that you guard his amities, if you shall have adored the fire as he venerates it." The people answering, "By no means will we do this," the bishop who stood before them said: "What deity is there in fire that it may be worshipped? Whom God created for the uses of men, who is kindled with fuel, extinguished with water, burns when applied, grows tepid when neglected." As the bishop pursued these and other like things, the legates, kindled with fury, beat him with clubs and showered him with insults. But the people, seeing their priest stained with blood, rushed upon the legates, laid hands on them and killed them, and, as we said, sought the amities of this emperor.

41. Quod Alboenus cum Langobardis Italiam occupavit.

41. Concerning how Alboenus, with the Langobards, occupied Italy.

Alboenus vero Langobardorum rex, qui Chlothosindam, regis Chlothari filiam, habebat, relecta regione sua, Italiam cum omni illa Langobardorum gente petiit. Nam, commoto exercitu, cum uxoribus et liberis abierunt, illuc commanere deliberantes. Quam regionem ingressi, maxime per annos septem pervagantes, spoliatis eclesiis, sacerdotibus interfectis, in suam redigunt potestatem.

Alboenus, moreover king of the Langobards, who had Chlothosinda, daughter of King Chlothar, after his region was left, made for Italy with all that Langobard people. For, the army stirred, they departed with their wives and children, resolving to dwell there. Having entered that region, and roaming about especially for seven years, with churches plundered and priests slain, they brought it under their power.

Mortua autem Chlothosinda, uxore Alboeni, aliam duxit coniugem, cuius patrem ante paucum tempus interfecerat. Qua de causa mulier in odio semper virum habens, locum opperiebat, in quo possit iniurias patris ulcisci; unde factum est, ut unum ex famulis concupiscens, virum veninu medificaret. Quo defuncto, cum famulo iit, sed adpraehensi pariter interfecti sunt.

After Chlothosinda, Alboenus’s wife, had died, he took another consort, whose father he had slain a short time before. For this cause the woman, ever holding her husband in hatred, awaited a place wherein she might avenge the injuries of her father; whence it came about that, desiring one of the household servants, she poisoned the husband. When he had thus died, she went away with the servant, but they were seized together and put to death.

Langobardi deinceps alium super se regem statuunt.

The Langobards thereafter appointed another king over themselves.

42. De bellis Mummoli cum eisdem.

42. Concerning the wars of Mummolus with the same.

Eunius quoque cognomento Mummolus a rege Gunthchramno patriciatum promeruit. De cuius militiae origine altius quaedam repetenda potavi. Hic etenim Peonio patre ortus, Audisiodorensis urbis incola fuit.

Eunius also by the cognomen Mummolus deserved the patriciate from King Gunthchramno. Concerning the origin of whose militia I have been obliged to retrace certain matters more deeply. For he, born of a father Peonius, was an inhabitant of the city Audisiodorum.

Peonius vero huius municipii comitatum regebat. Cumque ad renovandam actionem munera regi per filium transmisisset, illi, datis rebus paternis, comitatum patris ambivit subplantavitque genetorem, quem sublevare debuerat. Ex hoc vero gradatim proficiens, ad maius culmen evectus est.

Peonius, moreover, governed the county of this municipium. And when he had sent gifts to the king through his son to renew his position, the son, the father’s goods having been given, coveted his father’s comitatum, supplanted the begetter whom he ought to have supported. From this indeed, advancing gradually, he was raised to a greater summit.

Igitur prorumpentibus Langobardis in Galliis, Amatus patricius, qui nuper Celsi successor extiterat, contra eos abiit, cummissumque bellum, terga vertit ceciditque ibi. Tantumque tunc stragem Langobardi feruntur fecisse de Burgundionibus, ut non possit colligi numerus occisorum; oneratique praeda, discesserunt iterum in Italiam. Quibus discedentibus, Eunius, qui et Mummolus, arcessitus a rege, patriciatus culmine meruit.

Therefore, when the Lombards burst forth into Gaul, Amatus the patrician, who had lately succeeded Celsus, went out against them; the war entrusted to him he turned his back upon and fell there. So great a slaughter, it is reported, did the Lombards make among the Burgundians then, that the number of the slain cannot be gathered; and, laden with plunder, they again departed into Italy. As they were departing, Eunius, who is also called Mummolus, being summoned by the king, won the summit of the patriciate.

Inruentibus iterum Langobardis in Gallias et usque Mustias Calmes accedentibus, quod adiacit civitati Ebredonense, Mummolus exercitum movit et cum Burgundionibus illuc proficiscetur. Circumdatisque Langobardis cum exercitu, factis etiam concidibus, per divia silvarum, inruit super eos, multus interfecit, nonnullus coepit et rege direxit. Quos ille per loca dispersos custodire praecepit, paucis quodadmodo per fugam lapsis, qui patriae nunciarent.

With the Langobards again rushing into Gaul and advancing as far as Mustia Calmes, which adjoins the city of Ebredonense, Mummolus moved his army and set out there with the Burgundians. Having surrounded the Langobards with his force, and with many of the slain made, by the open tracks of the woods he burst upon them; he killed many, put some to flight, and directed others toward the king. He ordered those scattered through the region to be held in custody, a few having in some manner slipped away by flight to carry the news to their fatherland.

Fueruntque in hoc proelio Salonius et Sagittarius fratres atque episcopi, qui non cruce caelesti moniti, sed galea ac lurica saeculari armati, multos manibus propriis, quod peius est, interfecisse referuntur. Haec prima Mummoli in certamine victuria fuit. Post haec Saxones, qui cum Langobardis in Italiam venerant, iterum prorumpunt in Galliis et infra territurium Regensim, id est apud Stablonem villam castra ponunt, discurrentes per villas urbium vicinarum, diripientes praedas, captivos abducentes vel etiam cuncta vastantes.

And in this engagement Salonius and Sagittarius were brothers and bishops, who, not warned by the celestial cross but armed with helmet and secular cuirass, are reported to have slain many with their own hands, which is the worse. This was the first victory of Mummolus in the contest. After this the Saxons, who had come into Italy with the Langobards, again burst into Gaul and below the territory of Reims, that is, at the villa Stablonem they pitch camp, running about through the villages of neighboring towns, pillaging spoils, carrying off captives, or even laying waste everything.

Quod cum Mummolus conperisset, exercitum movet, inruensque super eos, multa ex his milia interficit et usque ad vesperum caedere non distitit, donec nox finem faceret. Ignarus enim reppererat homines et nihil de his quae accesserunt autumantes. Mane autem facto, statuunt Saxones exercitum, praeparantes se ad bellum; sed, intercurrentibus nuntiis, pacem fecerunt, datisque muneribus Mummolo, relicta universa regionis praeda cum captivis, discesserunt, iurantes prius, quod ad subiectionem regum solaciumque Francorum redire deberent in Galliis.

When Mummolus discovered this, he put his army in motion, and rushing upon them he slew many thousands of these and did not cease cutting them down until evening, until night made an end. For he had found the men unaware and anticipating nothing of those things that had come upon them. But when morning came, the Saxons arrayed an army, preparing themselves for battle; yet, with messengers interposing, they made peace, and, gifts being given to Mummolus and all the region’s booty with the captives left behind, they departed, first swearing that they should return to the subjection of kings and to the solace of the Franks in Gaul.

Igitur regressi Saxones in Italiam, adsumptis secum uxoribus atque parvolis vel omni suppellectile facultatis, redire in Galliis distinant, scilicet ut a Sigybertho rege collecti in loco unde egressi fuerant stabilirentur. Feceruntque ex se duos, ut aiunt, cunios, et unus quidem per Niceam urbem, alius vero per Ebredunensim venit, illam re vera tenentes viam, quam anno superiore tenuerant; coniunctique sunt in Avennico terreturio. Erat enim tunc tempus messium, et locus ille maxime fructus terrae sub divo habebat, nec quicquam ex his domi incolae reconderant.

Therefore the Saxons, having returned to Italy, and taking with them wives and little children and all the household furnishings of their means, resolved to return into Gaul, namely so that, being gathered by King Sigibert, they might be settled in the place from which they had gone forth. And they made of themselves two, as they say, cunios, one indeed coming by the city of Nicea, the other by Ebredunum, truly holding that road which they had held the previous year; and they joined together in the territory of Avennio. For it was then harvest-time, and that place had very great fruits of the earth in the open, nor had the inhabitants hidden any of these things at home.

Denique accedentes hi, segetes inter se dividunt; colligentesque ac triturantes frumenta comedebant, nihil ex his eis qui laboraverant relinquentes. Verum postquam, expensis fructibus, ad litus Rhodani amnis accesserunt, ut, transacto turrente, regno se regis Sigyberthi conferrent, occurrit eis Mummolus, dicens: 'Non transibitis turrentem hunc. Ecce!

Finally, coming up, they divide the crops among themselves; and gathering and grinding the grain they ate it, leaving nothing for those who had labored. But when, the fruits exhausted, they approached the bank of the river Rhone, so that, the tower having been crossed, they might deliver themselves into the kingdom of King Sigyberht, Mummolus met them, saying: 'You will not pass this tower. Behold!'

regionem domini mei regis depopulati estis, collegistis segetis, pecora devastastis, tradedistis domus incendiis, olivita ac vinita succidistis! Non ascenditis, nisi satisfaciatis prius his quos exiguos reliquistis; alioquin non effugitis manus meas, nisi ponam gladium super vos et uxores ac parvolus vestrus et ulciscar iniuriam domini mei Gunthchramni regis'. Tunc illi timentes valde, dantes multa nummismati auri milia pro redemptione sua, transire permissi sunt; et sic Arvernum pervenerunt. Erat tunc vernum tempus.

You have laid waste the region of my lord the king, you have gathered the harvests, devastated the cattle, delivered houses to fire, felled olive-woods and vineyards! You shall not go up unless you first make satisfaction to those few whom you left; otherwise you will not escape my hands, unless I set a sword upon you and upon your wives and little ones, and I will avenge the wrong of my lord King Gunthchramni. Then they, greatly fearing, giving many thousands of gold coins as their redemption, were permitted to cross; and thus they reached Arvernum. It was then the spring season.

Proferebant ibi regulas aeris incisas pro auro; quas quisque videns, non dubitabat aliud, nisi quod aurum probatum atque examinatum esset; sic enim coloratum ingenio nescio quo fuit. Unde nonnulli hoc dolo siducti, aurum dantes et aes accipientes, pauperis facti sunt. Hi vero ad Sygiberthum regem transeuntes, in loco, unde prius egressi fuerant, stabiliti sunt.

They were exhibiting there engraved rods of bronze as if for gold; and each one, seeing them, doubted nothing else but that the gold had been proved and examined; for it had been colored by some cunning, I know not what. Whence some, led away by this deceit, giving gold and receiving bronze, were made poor. These, however, crossing over to King Sygiberth, were stationed in the place from which they had before departed.

43. De archidiacono Massiliense.

43. Concerning the archdeacon of Massilia.

In regno autem Sigyberthi regis, remoto ab honore Iovino rectore Provinciae, Albinus in loco eius subrogatur. Magnam enim inter eos inimicitiam haec causa congessit. Igitur advenientibus ad cataplum Massiliensim navibus transmarinis, Vigili archidiaconis homines septuaginta vasa quas vulgo orcas vocant olei liquaminisque furati sunt, nesciente domino.

In the reign of King Sigyberht, with Iovinus, rector of the Province, removed from his honor, Albinus was placed in his stead. For this affair caused great enmity between them. Therefore, as ships from across the sea were arriving at the Massilian cataplum, the men of Archdeacon Vigilus stole seventy jars, which are commonly called orcae, of oil and liquamen, without the lord’s knowledge.

Negotiator autem cum cognovisset sibi rem furto ablatam fuisse, inquirere diligenter coepit, quo furtum in loco fuisset reconditum. Haec inquirens audit a quodam, quia hoc homines Vigili archidiaconis perpetrassent. Perveniunt haec ad archidiaconem, qui inquirens et inveniens, nequaquam publicare, sed excusare suos coepit, dicens: 'Numquam de domo mea egressus est, qui talia auderet admittere'. Taliter denique excusante archidiacono, negotiator ad Albinum pergit; causam exerit et archidiaconem in crimine fraudis huius mixtum accusat.

But when the negotiator learned that his property had been taken by theft, he began to inquire diligently where in the place the theft had been hidden. Inquiring into these matters he hears from a certain man that these deeds had been perpetrated by the men of Vigil, the archdeacon. These things come to the archdeacon, who, inquiring and finding out, began not at all to publicize them but to excuse his men, saying: "No one who would dare to commit such things ever went forth from my house." Thus, the archdeacon excusing them, the negotiator proceeds to Albinus; he sets forth the case and accuses the archdeacon of being mixed up in the crime of this fraud.

Die autem sancto natalis dominici episcopo in ecclesia adveniente, archidiaconus indutus albam adest, episcopum, ut mos est, invitans ad altarem debere procedere ac solemnitate diei sancti oportuno debere tempore celebrare. Nec mora, Albinus de sede exiliens, adpraehensum archidiaconem detrahit, pugnis calcibusque caedit et custodia carcerali coartat. Pro quo numquam obtinere potuerunt non episcopus, non cives, non ullus maior natu, non ipsa vox totius populi adclamantes, ut datis fideiussoribus diem sanctum archidiacono liceat cum reliquis celebrare atque accusatio causae in posterum deberet audiri.

But on the holy day of the Lord’s nativity, when the bishop arrived at the church, the archdeacon, vested in an alb, was present, inviting the bishop, as is the custom, that he should proceed to the altar and celebrate the solemnity of the holy day at the proper time. Nor was there delay: Albinus, leaping from his seat, seizes the archdeacon, drags him down, beats him with fists and feet, and confines him with prison custody. For this the bishop could never obtain — neither the citizens, nor any elder by age, nor any voice of the whole people crying out — that, pledges being given, the archdeacon be permitted to celebrate the holy day with the rest and that the accusation in the matter should be heard afterwards.

Sed nec de ipsa sacrosancta solemnia metum habuit, ut ministrum dominici altaris tali in die auderet adripere. Quid plura? Quattuor milia solidorum archidiaconem condemnavit; quod in praesentia regis Sigyberthi veniens, quadrupla satisfactione, insequente Iovino, conposuit.

But he feared not even the sacrosanct solemnities, so as to dare to seize a minister of the Lord’s altar on such a day. What more? He condemned the archdeacon to four thousand solidi; which, coming into the presence of King Sigyberht, he settled by quadruple satisfaction, Jovinus attending.

44. De Langobardis et Mummolo.

44. Concerning the Langobards and Mummolo.

Post haec tres Langobardorum duces, id est Amo, Zaban ac Rodanus, Gallias inruperunt. Et Amo quidem Ebredunensim carpens viam, usque Machao villam Avennici territurii, quam Mummolus munere meruerat regio, accessit; ibique fixit tenturia. Zaban vero per Deinsim discendens urbem, usque Valentiam venit, ibique et castra posuit.

After this three Langobard leaders, that is Amo, Zaban and Rodanus, burst into Gaul. And Amo, taking the Ebredunensian route, advanced as far as the villa of Macho in the territory of Avignon, which Mummolus had deserved by a royal grant; and there he fixed his tents. Zaban, however, descending through Deinsim to the city, came as far as Valence, and there likewise pitched camp.

Rodanus enim Gratianopolitanam urbem adgressus est, ibique papilionis extendit. Et Amo quoque Arelatensim debellavit provinciam cum urbibus qui circumsitae sunt, et usque ipsum Lapideum campum, quod adiacit urbi Masiliensi, accedens, tam de pecoribus quam de hominibus denudavit. Aquinsibus autem obsidionem paravit, de quibus, viginti duabus libris argenti acceptis, abscessit.

For Rodanus attacked the Gratianopolitan city, and there pitched his papilio. And Amo likewise subdued the Arelatense province with the towns that are around it, and even, approaching the very Stone Field which adjoins the Massilian city, stripped it both of flocks and of men. But he prepared a siege against the Aquinians, from whom, having received 22 pounds of silver, he departed.

Sicque et Rodanus ac Zaban in locis quibus accesserant fecerunt. Quae cum Mummolo perlata fuissent, exercitum movit et Rodano, qui Gratianopolitanam urbem debellabat, occurrit. Sed cum Eseram fluvium exercitus laboriose transiret, nutu Dei animal amnem ingreditur, vadum ostendit, et sic populus [liberi] in ulteriorem ripam egreditur.

Thus Rodanus and Zaban likewise did in the places to which they had come. When these things were reported to Mummolus, he moved his army and encountered Rodanus, who was subduing the city of Gratianopolis. But when the army was laboriously crossing the river Esera, by the nod of God an animal entered the stream, revealed a ford, and thus the people [liberi] went forth to the farther bank.

Quod videntes Langobardi nec morati, evaginatis gladiis hos adpetunt, cummissoque bello, in tantum caesi sunt, ut Rhodanus sauciatus lancia ad montium excelsa confugiret. Exinde cum quingentis viris, qui ei remanserant, per divia silvarum prorumpens, ad Zabanem pervenit, qui tunc urbem Valentiam obsedebat, narravitque omnia quae acta fuerat. Tunc datis pariter cunctis in praeda, ad Ebredunensem urbem regressi sunt, ibique eis cum innumero exercitu Mummolus in faciem venit.

Seeing this, the Langobards, not delaying, drew their swords and attacked these men; and with battle joined they were so cut down that Rhodanus, wounded, fled with a lance to the high mountains. Thence, with five hundred men who had remained with him, bursting through the wilderness of the woods, he reached Zaban, who was then besieging the city of Valence, and related all that had taken place. Then, the booty having been shared alike among all, they returned to the city of Ebredunum, where Mummolus, with an innumerable army, came out against them.

Commissoque proelio, Langobardorum phalangae usque ad internitionem caesae, cum paucis duces in Italiam sunt regressi. Cumque usque Sigusium urbem perlati fuissent et eos incolae loci durae susciperent, praesertim cum Sisinnius magister militum a parte inperatoris in hac urbe resident, simolatus Mummoli puer in conspectu Zabanis Sisinnio litteras protulit salutemque ex nomine Mummoli dedit, dicens: 'En ipsum in proximo!' Quod audiens Zaban, curso veloci ab urbe ipsa digressus praeteriit. His auditis Amo, collecta omni praeda in itenere, proficiscitur; sed resistentibus nivibus, relicta praeda, vix cum paucis erumpere potuit.

And with battle joined, the phalanxes of the Langobards were cut down almost to extermination, and the leaders returned to Italy with a few. And when they had borne on as far as the city of Sigusium and the hard‑hearted inhabitants received them—especially since Sisinnius, magister militum on the emperor’s behalf, was residing in that city—a boy, feigning to be Mummolus, brought letters into the sight of Zaban to Sisinnius and delivered greetings in Mummolus’ name, saying, “Behold him close at hand!” Hearing this, Zaban, running swiftly, departed and passed by from the city itself. When these things were heard, Amo, having gathered up all the booty on the march, set out; but with the snows resisting, abandoning the plunder, he could scarcely break out with a few.

Exterriti enim erant virtute Mummoli.

For they were terrified by the virtue of Mummolus.

45. Quod Mummolus Turonus venit.

45. Concerning Mummolus’ coming to Tours.

Multa enim Mummolus bella gessit, in quibus victur extetit. Nam post mortem Chariberthi, cum Chilpericus Toronus ac Pectavis pervasissit, quae Sigybertho regi per pactum in partem venerant, coniunctus rex ipse cum Gunthchramno fratre suo, Mummolum elegunt, qui has urbes ad verum dominium revocare deberet. Qui Toronus veniens, fugato exinde Chlodovecho, Chilperici filium, exacta populo ad partem regis Sigyberthi sacramenta, Pectavum accessit.

For Mummolus waged many wars, in which he proved victorious and eminent. For after the death of Chariberth, when Chilperic had overrun Toronus and Pectavis—places which by pact had in part come to King Sigibert—the united king himself, together with his brother Gunthchramn, chose Mummolus, who was to recall these cities to their rightful dominion. He, coming to Toronus, having thereupon put Chlodovech, son of Chilperic, to flight, and having exacted from the people the sacramenta in favour of King Sigibert, advanced on Pectavis.

Sed Basilius ac Sigarius Pectavi civis, collecta multitudine, resistere voluerunt; quos de diversis partibus circumdatus oppressit, obruit, interimit, et sic Pectavum accedens, sacramenta exigit. Haec interim de Mummolo dicta sufficiant; reliqua in posterum sunt digerenda.

But Basilius and Sigarius, citizens of Pectavi, with a multitude having been gathered, wished to resist; whom, having surrounded them from different quarters, he overwhelmed, crushed, and killed, and thus, approaching Pectavum, exacted the oaths. These things meanwhile said concerning Mummolus are sufficient; the remaining matters must be dealt with hereafter.

46. De interitu Andarci.

46. Concerning the destruction (death) of Andarcus.

De Andarchi vero interitu locuturus, prius genus ordire placet et patriam. Hic igitur, ut adserunt, Filices senatoris servus fuit; qui ad obsequium domini depotatus, ad studia litterarum cum eo positus, bene institutus emicuit. Nam de operibus Virgilii, legis Theodosianae libris artemque calculi aplene eruditus est.

Concerning the death of Andarchus, however, about to be spoken of, it pleases first to begin with his stock and fatherland. He therefore, as they assert, was a slave of the senator Filices; who, reduced to the service of his lord and assigned to literary studies with him, well instructed shone forth. For he was thoroughly learned in the works of Virgil, in the books of the Theodosian law, and in the art of calculation.

Hac igitur scientiam tumens, dispicere dominos coepit et se patrocinio Lupi ducis, cum ad urbem Massiliensim ex iusso regis Sigyberthi accederet, commendavit. De qua regressus, hunc secum habire praecepit insinuavitque eum diligenter Sigybertho regi atque ad serviendum tradedit. Quem ille per loca diversa dirigens, locum praebuit militandi.

Swollen with this learning, therefore, he began to observe the lords and entrusted himself to the patronage of Duke Lupus, when, by order of King Sigibert, he was to proceed to the Massilian city. On returning from that place, he commanded that this man be kept with him, and carefully introduced him to King Sigibert and delivered him for service. The king, directing him through various places, provided him a post for soldiering.

Ex hoc quasi honoratus habitus, Arvernum venit ibique cum Urso, civi urbis eius, amicitias inlegat. Interim, ut erat acris ingenii, filiam eius disponsare desiderans, luricam, ut ferunt, in libellare, quo charte abdi soleti sunt, recondit, dicens mulieri, coniugi utique Ursi, quia: 'Multitudinem aureorum meorum amplius quam sedecim milia in hoc libellare reconditam tibi conmendo, quod tuum esse poterit, si mihi filiam tuam praestiteris disponsari'. Sed Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra famis? Promisit mulier haec simpliciter credens, absente viro, huic disponsare puellam.

From this, as if honored, he went to Arvernum and there with Ursus, a citizen of that city, he formed friendships. Meanwhile, being sharp of wit, desiring to betroth his daughter, he hid a leather purse (luricam), as they say, in a little ledger (libellare), in which charters are wont to be stored, telling the woman, Ursus’s wife of course, that: “I entrust to you a multitude of my aurei of more than 16,000 enclosed in this little ledger, which may be yours if you will have allowed your daughter to be promised to me.” But what do you not compel mortal breasts to, O accursed hunger for gold? The woman simply promised, believing, with her husband absent, to give this girl in betrothal to him.

Ad ille regressus ad regem, praeceptionem ad iudicem loci exibuit, ut puellam hanc suo matrimonio sociaret, dicens, quia: 'Dedi arram in disponsatione eius'. Negavit autem vir ille, dicens, quia: 'Neque te novi, unde sis, neque alequid de rebus tuis habeo'. Qua intentione pollulante ac vihementius increscente, Andarchius expetiit Ursum regis praesentiam arcessire. Cumque venisset apud villam Brinnacum, requiret hominem alium Ursum nomen, quem ad altarium clam adductum iurare fecit ac dicere: 'Per hoc locum sanctum et reliquias martyrum beatorum, quia, si filiam meam tibi in matrimonium non tradidero, sidecem milia soledorum tibi satisfacere non morabor'. Stabant enim testes in sacrario, abscultantes occultae verba loquentes, sed personam qui loqueretur paenitus non videntis. Tunc Andarchius demulsit verbis lenibus Urso, fecitque eum sine regis praesentiam reverti ad patriam.

And when he had returned to the king, he presented his precept to the judge of the place, that he might join this girl in his own marriage, saying: "I gave a pledge in her betrothal." But that man denied, saying: "I do not know you, whence you are, nor do I have anything of your affairs." With that intent spreading and growing the more vehemently, Andarchius sought to summon Ursus into the king’s presence. And when he had come to the villa Brinnacum, he searched out another man named Ursus, whom, secretly brought to the altar, he forced to swear and to say: "By this holy place and the relics of the blessed martyrs, that if I do not deliver my daughter to you in marriage, I will not delay to satisfy you sixteen thousand solidi." For witnesses stood in the sacristy, overhearing the secret words spoken, but utterly not seeing the person who spoke them. Then Andarchius mollified Ursus with gentle words, and caused him to return to his homeland without the king’s presence.

Factoque ex hoc iuramento breve sacramentorum, rege illo protulit discidente, dicens: 'Haec et haec mihi Ursus scripsit; et ideo gloriae vestrae praeceptionem deposco, ut filiam suam mihi tradat in matrimonio. Alioquin liceat mihi res eius possedere, donec, sedicem milibus solidorum acceptis, me ab hac causa removeam'. Tunc, adeptis praeceptionibus, Arvernum redit, ostendit iudici iussionem regis. Ursus autem se in Villavo territurio contulit.

And having made from this oath a brief of the sacramenta, he produced it as that king was departing, saying: 'These things and these things Ursus has written to me; and therefore I demand from your glory a precept, that he deliver his daughter to me in marriage. Otherwise let me lawfully possess his goods, until, having received 16,000 solidi, I withdraw myself from this cause.' Then, the precepts having been obtained, Arvernum returned, and showed the judge the king’s command. Ursus, however, betook himself to the territory of Villavo.

Cumque res eius huic consignarentur, et hic in Villavum accessit. Ingressusque unam Ursi domum, caenam sibi praecepit praeparare atque aquas quibus ablueretur calefieri iubet. Sed cum servi domus minime rudi domino apparerent, alius fustibus, alius virgis caedit, nonnullus capita percutiens sanguinem elicuit.

And when his affairs were consigned to him, he came into Villavum. Having entered one of Ursus’s houses, he ordered a supper to be prepared for himself and commanded the waters with which he would be washed to be heated. But since the household servants seemed by no means dutiful to their master, he beats one with clubs, another with rods; some, smiting their heads, drew forth blood.

Turbata ergo familia, praeparatur caena, abluetur hic aquis calidis, inebriatur vino et se collocat super stratum. Erant autem cum eo septem pueri tantum. Cumque non minus somno quam vino sepulti altius obdormissent, congregata familia, ostia domus, quae erat ex ligneis fabricata tabulis, claudit; acceptisque clavibus, metas annonae, quae aderant, elidit hac circa domum et supra domum adgregat acervos annonae, quae tunc in manibulis erat, ita ut operta ex his domus cernetur omnino.

The family thus troubled, the supper is prepared, he is washed with hot waters, inebriated with wine and lays himself upon a bed. There were, moreover, with him only seven boys. And when, buried no less in sleep than in wine, they had fallen into a deeper slumber, the gathered household closes the doors of the house, which was made of wooden planks; and having taken up the keys, he overturns the measures of the grain that were present, and casts them around this house and on top of the house he accumulates heaps of the annona, which then were in handfuls, so that the house is seen entirely covered by these.

Tunc inmisso per partes diversas igne, cum iam super hos infelices materia aedificii exusta deruerent, excitantur, emissas voces, sed non fuit qui exaudiret, donec, totam domum adustam, ipsus pariter ignis absorberit. Ursus vero metuens basilicam sancti Iuliani expetiit; datisque rege muneribus, res suas in soliditate recipit.

Then, fire being set in various parts, when now the building‑material burned above those unhappy ones and was collapsing, they are roused, cries were sent forth, but there was no one to hear, until, the whole house having been scorched, the fire likewise absorbed them. Ursus, however, fearing, sought the basilica of Saint Julian; and, gifts having been given to the king, he recovered his possessions in safety.

47. Quod Theudoberthus civitatis pervasit.

47. Concerning what Theudoberthus laid waste in the city.

Chlodovechus vero, Chilperici filius, de Toronico eiectus, Burdegala abiit. Denique cum apud Burdigalinsim civitatem, nullum prursus inquietante, resederet, Sigulfus quidam a parte Sigyberthi se super eum obiecit. Quem fugientem cum tubis et bucinis quasi labentem cervum fugans, insequebatur.

Chlodovechus, however, son of Chilperic, having been expelled from Toronico, went to Burdigala. Finally, when he was sitting in the city of Burdigalensis with no one previously disturbing him, a certain Sigulfus on behalf of Sigyberht set himself against him. He pursued him as he fled with trumpets and horns, like a slipping deer on the run.

Qui vix ad patrem regredi liberum habuit aditum. Tamen per Andigavus regressus, ad eum rediit. Cum autem intentio inter Gunthchramnum et Sigyberthum regis verteretur, Gunthchramnus rex apud Parisius omnes episcopus regni sui congregat, ut inter utrusque quid veritas haberit edicerent.

Who scarcely had a free access to return to his father. Nevertheless, having come back by way of Andigavus, he returned to him. But when the dispute between King Gunthchramnus and Sigyberth was turning toward the king, King Gunthchramnus at Paris gathered all the bishops of his realm, that they might pronounce what truth lay between the two.

Sed ut bellum civili in maiore pernicitate crescerit, eos audire, peccatis facientibus, distulerunt. Chilpericus autem in ira commotus, per Theodoberthum filium suum seniorem, qui a Sigybertho quondam adpraehensus sacramentum dederat, ut ei fidelis esset, civitates eius pervadit, id est Toronus, Pectavus vel reliquas citra Legere sitas. Qui Pectavus veniens, contra Gundovaldum ducem pugnavit.

But so that the civil war might grow into greater peril, they delayed to hear them, those committing sins. Chilpericus, however, stirred with anger, through Theodoberth his elder son, who had once been seized by Sigyberth and had given a sacrament that he would be faithful to him, overran his cities, that is Toronus, Pectavus, and the remaining towns situated on this side of the Loire. Pectavus, coming, fought against Gundovald the duke.

Terga autem vertente exercitu partis Gundovaldi, magnam ibi stragem de populo illo fecit. Sed et de Toronicam regionem maximam partem incendit et, nisi ad tempus manus dedissent, totam continuo debellasset. Cummotu autem exercitu, Lemovicinum, Cadurcinum vel reliquas illarum propinquas pervadit, vastat, evertit; eclesias incendit, ministeria detrahit, clericus interficit, monastiria virorum deicit, puellarum deludit et cuncta devastat.

But turning the backs of the army to Gundovald’s faction, he there made a great slaughter of that people. He also burned up the greater part of the region of Toronicum, and, had they not for a time laid down their hands, he would have at once completely subdued the whole. With the army set in motion he overran Lemovicinum, Cadurcinum and the other neighboring places, laid them waste and overturned them; he burned churches, stripped away ministeria, killed clergy, destroyed monasteries of men, seduced girls, and devastated all things.

Fuitque tempore illo peior in eclesiis gemitus quam tempore persecutionis Diocliciani.

And in that time the groaning in the churches was worse than in the time of the persecution of Diocletian.

48. De Latta monasterio.

48. Concerning the monastery of Latta.

Et adhuc obstupiscimus et admiramur, cur tantae super eos plagae inruerint. Sed recurramus ad illud quod parentes eorum egerunt et isti perpetrant. Illi post praedicationem sacerdotum de fanis ad ecclesias sunt conversi; isti cotidie de ecclesiis praedas detrahunt.

And even now we stand dumbstruck and wonder why so great a scourge has surged upon them. But let us return to that which their parents did and these perpetrate. Those, after the preaching of the priests, were converted from fanes to churches; these daily tear spoils away from the churches.

Illi sacerdotes Domini ex toto corde venerati sunt et audierunt; isti non solum non audiunt, sed etiam persecuntur. Illi monasteria et ecclesias ditaverunt; isti eas diruunt ac subvertunt. Quid de Latta monasterio referam, in quo beati Martini habentur reliquiae?

Those priests of the Lord were venerated and were listened to with whole heart; these not only do not listen, but even persecute. Those enriched monasteries and churches; these tear them down and overturn them. What shall I report of the monastery of Latta, in which the relics of blessed Martin are kept?

Cum ad eum unus cuneus hostium adventaret et fluvium, qui propinquus est, transire disponeret, ut monastirium spoliaret, clamaverunt monachi dicentes: 'Nolite, o barbari, nolite huc transire; beati enim Martini istud est monasterium' . Haec audientes multi, conpuncti a Dei timore, regressi sunt. Viginti tamen ex ipsis, qui non metuebant Deum neque beatum confessorem honorabant, ascendentes navem, illuc transgrediuntur et, inimico stimulante, monachos caedunt, monasterium evertunt resque diripiunt; de quibus facientes sarcinas, navi inponunt. Ingressique fluvium, protinus vibrante carina, huc illucque feruntur.

When a wedge-like column of the enemy came up to him and prepared to cross the nearby river in order to plunder the monastery, the monks shouted, saying: 'Do not, O barbarians, do not cross here; for this is the monastery of Blessed Martin.' Hearing these words many, pierced by fear of God, turned back. Twenty of them nonetheless, who neither feared God nor honored the blessed confessor, boarding a ship, crossed over there and, the enemy urging them on, cut down the monks, overturned the monastery and rifled its goods; making bundles of these, they put them on the ship. Having entered the river, with the keel immediately vibrating, they were borne hither and thither.

Cumque amisso solatio remorum, hastilia lancearum in fundum alvei defixa, remeare conarentur, navis sub pedibus eorum dehiscit, et uniuscuiusque ferrum, quod contra se tenebat, pectori defigitur, transverberatique cuncti a propriis iaculis interimuntur. Unus tantum ex ipsis, qui eos increpabat ne ista committerent, remansit inlaesus. Quodsi hoc quis fortuitu evenisse iudicat, cernat, unum insontem plurimis evasisse de noxiis.

And when, the solace of their oars lost and the spear‑shafts of their lances fixed to the bottom of the hull, they tried to row back, the ship split beneath their feet, and each man's iron, which he held against himself, was driven into his breast, and all were transversed and slain by their own javelins. Only one of them, who had rebuked them not to commit those things, remained unharmed. If anyone judges that this happened by chance, let him see that one innocent escaped out of many guilty.

Quibus interfectis, monachi ipsos et res suas ex alveo detrahentes, illos sepelientes, res domi restituunt.

With these men slain, the monks themselves, drawing them and their belongings out of the boat, burying those men, restore the things to the monastery-house.

49. Quod Sigiberthus Parisius venit.

49. Concerning Sigiberthus’s coming to Paris.

Dum haec ageretur, Sigyberthus rex gentes illas quae ultra Renum habentur commovit, et bellum civili ordiens, contra fratrem suum Chilpericum ire distinat. Quod audiens Chilpericus ad fratrem suum Gunthchramnum legatus mittit. Qui coniuncti pariter foedus iniunt, ut nullus fratrem suum perire sinerit.

While these things were being done, King Sigyberthus stirred up those peoples who are held beyond the Rhine, and, setting in motion a civil war, resolved to march against his brother Chilperic. Chilperic, hearing this, sent an envoy to his brother Gunthchramnum. They, joined together as equals, entered into a pact that no one should allow his brother to perish.

Sed cum Sigyberthus gentes illas adducens venisset et Chilpericus de alia parte cum suo exercitu resederet, nec haberet rex Sigyberthus super fratrem iturus, ubi Sequanam fluvium transmearet, fratre suo Gunthchramno mandatum mittit, dicens: 'Nisi me permiseris per tuam sortem hunc fluvium transire, cum omni exercitu meo super te pergam' . Quod ille timens, foedus cum eodem iniit eumque transire permisit. Denique sentiens Chilpericus, quod scilicit Gunthchramnus, relicto eo, ad Sigyberthum transisset, castra movet et usque Avalocium Carnotensim vicum abiit Quem Sigyberthus insecutus, campum sibi praeparare petiit. Illi vero timens, ne, conliso utroque exercitu, etiam regnum eorum conruerit, pacem petiit civitatesque eius, quas Theodoberthus male pervaserat, reddidit, depraecans, ut nullo caso culparentur earum habitatores, quos ille iniuste igne ferroque obpremens adquisierat.

But when Sigyberthus had come having led those peoples and Chilpericus on the other side had drawn up his own army, and King Sigyberthus did not have the means to go against his brother when he would cross the Sequana river, he sent a commission to his brother Gunthchramn, saying: 'Unless you allow me by your lot to cross this river, I will march against you with my whole army.' Which he, fearing, made a treaty with him and permitted him to cross. Finally Chilpericus perceiving that, namely, Gunthchramn, having left him, had crossed over to Sigyberthus, broke camp and went as far as Avalocium, the Carnotensian village. Sigyberthus, having pursued him, sought to prepare the field for himself. But he, fearing that if both armies clashed their kingdom might also fall, sued for peace and restored his cities, which Theodoberthus had wickedly overrun, begging that in no case their inhabitants be blamed, whom he had unjustly acquired by fire and sword.

Vicos quoque qui circa Parisius erant maxime tunc flamma consumpsit; et tam domus quam res reliquae ab hoste direpti sunt, ut etiam et captivi ducerentur. Obtestabat enim rex, ne haec fierent; sed furorem gentium, quae de ulteriore Rheni amnis parte venerant, superare non poterat; sed omnia patienter ferebat, donec redire possit ad patriam. Tunc ex gentibus illis contra eum quidam murmoraverunt, cur se a certamine subtraxisset.

Also the villages which lay around Paris were then for the most part consumed by flame; and both houses and the remaining goods were plundered by the enemy, so that even captives were led away. For the king was beseeching that these things not be done; but he could not overcome the fury of the peoples who had come from the farther side of the river Rhine; yet he bore all things patiently, until he might return to his fatherland. Then from those peoples some murmured against him, why he had withdrawn himself from the contest.

Sed ille, ut erat intrepedus, ascenso equo, ad eos dirigit eosque verbis lenibus demulsit, multos ex eis postea a lapidibus obrui praecipiens. Sed nec hoc sine beati Martini fuisse vertutem ambigitur, ut hi sine bello pacificarentur; nam in ipsa die, qua hi pacem fecerunt, tres paralitici ad beati basilicam sunt directi. Quod in sequentibus libris, Domino iubente, desseruemus.

But he, as he was intrepid, having mounted his horse, rode up to them and soothed them with gentle words, afterwards ordering many of them to be overwhelmed by stones. Nor is this to be doubted as being without the virtue of blessed Martin, that these were pacified without war; for on that very day on which they made peace, three paralytics were brought to the blessed one's basilica. Which we will relate in the following books, the Lord willing.

50. Quod Chilpericus cum Guntchramno foedus iniit.

50. Concerning how Chilpericus concluded a foedus with Guntchramno.

Quod Chilpericus cum Guntchramno foedus iniit, et de obitu Theudoberthi, fili eius.

Concerning the treaty that Chilpericus entered into with Guntchramn, and concerning the death of Theudobert, his son.

Dolorem enim ingerit animo ista civilia bella referre. Nam post annum iterum Chilpericus ad Guntchramnum fratrem suum legatus mittit, dicens: 'Veniat frater meus, et videamus nos et pacificati persequamur Sigyberthum inimicum nostrum'. Quod cum fuisset factum seque vidissent ac muneribus honorassent, commoto Chilpericus exercitu usque Remus accessit, cuncta incendens atque debellans. Quod audiens Sigyberthus, iterum convocatis gentibus illis, quarum supra memoriam fecimus, Parisius venit et contra fratrem suum ire disponit, mittens nuntius Dunensibus vel Toronicis, ut contra Theodoberthum ire deberent.

For it inflicts sorrow upon the mind to relate those civil wars. For after a year Chilpericus again sent a legate to his brother Guntchramn, saying, "Let my brother come, and let us see one another and, reconciled, pursue Sigyberth our enemy." When this had been done and they had met and honoured one another with gifts, Chilpericus, his army stirred up, advanced as far as Remus, burning and devastating everything. When Sigyberthus heard this, having again summoned those peoples of whom we spoke above, he came to Paris and resolved to march against his brother, sending a messenger to the Dunenses or the Toronics that they should go against Theodoberth.

Quod ille dissimolantes, rex Godegiselum et Gunthchramnum duces in capite dirigit. Qui commoventes exercitum, adversus eum pergunt. Ad ille derelictus a suis, cum paucis remansit, sed tamen ad bellum exire non dubitat.

But he, dissimulating this, set King Godegisel and Gunthchramn as leaders at his head. They, moving the army, proceed against him. But he, deserted by his own, remained with few, yet nevertheless did not hesitate to go forth to war.

Ineuntes autem proelium, Theodoberthus evictus in campo prosternitur, et ab hostibus exanime corpus, quod dici dolor est, spoliatur. Tunc ab Aunulfo quodam collectus ablutusque ac dignis vestibus est indutus et ad Ecolisinensim civitatem sepultus. Chilpericus vero cognuscens, quod iterum se Gunthchramnus cum Sigybertho pacificasset, se infra Thornacinsis murus cum uxore et filiis communivit.

As the battle began, Theodoberthus, having been overcome, was felled on the field, and his body, lifeless — which is a grief to tell — was stripped by the enemies. Then, by a certain Aunulfus gathered together, washed, and clothed in fitting garments, he was buried at the city of Ecolisinensis. Chilpericus, however, learning that Gunthchramnus had again made peace with Sigyberthus, shut himself up within the Thornacinsian wall with his wife and sons.

51. De obitu Sigiberthi regis.

51. Concerning the death of King Sigiberth.

In eo anno fulgor per caelum discurrisse visus est, sicut quondam ante mortem Chlothari factum vidimus. Sigyberthus vero, obtentis civitatibus illis, quae circa Parisius sunt positae, usque Rhotomaginsem urbem accessit, volens easdem urbes hostibus cedere. Quod ne faceret, a suis prohibitus est.

In that year a brightness ran across the sky, as once before the death of Chlothar we saw; Sigyberthus, however, having secured those towns which lie around Paris, advanced as far as the city of Rhotomagus, wishing to surrender those same towns to the enemies. He was prevented by his own men from doing this.

Regressus inde, Parisius est ingressus, ibique ad eum Brunichildis cum filiis venit. Tunc Franci, qui quondam ad Childeberthum aspexerant seniorem, ad Sigyberthum legationem mittunt, ut ad eos veniens, derelicto Chilperico, super se ipsum regem stabilirent. Illi vero haec audiens, misitque qui fratrem suum in supra memoratam civitatem obsederent, ipsi illuc properare deliberans.

Returning thence, he entered Paris, and there Brunichildis came to him with her sons. Then the Franks, who formerly had looked to Childeberth the Elder, sent a legation to Sigyberthus, that, coming to them and Chilperic having been left behind, they might establish a king over themselves. He, however, hearing these things, and having sent those to besiege his brother in the city above-mentioned, deliberated to hasten there himself.

Cui sanctus Germanus episcopus dixit: 'Si abieris et fratrem tuum interficere nolueris, vivus et victur redis; sin autem aliut cogitaveris, morieris. Sic enim Dominus per Salomonem dixit: Foveam quae fratri tuo parabis, in ea conrues. Quod ille, peccatis facientibus, audire neglexit.

To whom Saint Germanus the bishop said: 'If you depart and will not wish to slay your brother, you shall return alive and shall live; but if you shall have conceived another design, you will die. For thus the Lord spoke through Solomon: The pit which you prepare for your brother, into it you will fall. But he, committing sins, neglected to heed.'

Veniente autem illo ad villam cui nomen est Victuriaco, collectus est ad eum omnis exercitus, inpositumque super clypeum sibi regem statuunt. Tunc duo pueri cum cultris validis, quos vulgo scramasaxos vocant, infectis vinino, malificati a Fredegundae regina, cum aliam causam suggerire simularent, utraque ei latera feriunt. At ille vociferans atque conruens, non post multo spatio emisit spiritum.

But when he came to a villa called Victuriac, the whole army was gathered to him, and, placing a man upon a shield, they set him up as king for themselves. Then two boys, with strong knives (which they commonly call scramasaxes), having been drugged in wine and instigated by Queen Fredegunda, while feigning to allege some other cause, struck both his sides. He, crying out and falling, not long after yielded up his spirit.

Ibique et Charegyselus cubicularius eius conruit; ibi et Sigila, qui quondam ex Ghotia venerat, multum laceratus est, et postea ab Chilperico rege conpraehensus, incensis cum cauteriis candentibus omnibus iuncturis ac membratim separatus, crudiliter vitam finivit. Fuit autem Charegyselus ille tam levis opere quam gravis cupiditate. De minimis consurgens, magnus per adulationes cum rege effectus est; conpetitur rerum alienarum testamentorumque effractur; cui talis fuit vitae exitus, ut non meriritur voluntatem propriam mortem inminente conplere, qui aliorum voluntates saepe distruxerat.

There collapsed Charegyselus his chamberlain; there also Sigila, who had once come from Ghotia, was cruelly lacerated, and afterwards, having been seized by King Chilperic, burned with glowing cauteries, all his joints and limbs severed piece by piece, he ended his life savagely. That Charegyselus was as light in deed as he was heavy in cupidity. Rising from the least, he was made great by adulations with the king; he was accused of breaking into other people’s goods and wills; such was the exit of his life that he did not deserve to fulfil his own will with death imminent, who had often destroyed the wills of others.

Chilpericus autem in ancipite casu defixus, in dubium habebat, an evaderet an periret, donec ad eum missi veniunt de fratris obitu nuntiantes. Tunc egressus a Thornaco cum uxore et filiis, eum vestitum apud Lambrus vicum sepelivit. Unde postea Sessionas in basilica sancti Medardi, quam ipse aedificaverat, translatus, secus Chlotharium patrem suum sepultus est.

Chilpericus, however, fixed in a double peril, was in doubt whether he would escape or perish, until messengers came to him announcing the death of his brother. Then, having departed from Thornac with his wife and sons, he buried him clothed at the village called Lambrus. Whence afterwards, having been translated to Sessionas into the basilica of Saint Medard, which he himself had built, he was buried beside his father Chlotharius.

Obiit autem quarto decimo regni sui anno, aetate quadraginaria. A transito ergo Theodoberthi seniores usque ad exitum Sigyberthi supputantur anni 29. Inter exitum vero eius et nepotis sui Theodoberthi fuere dies 18. Mortuo autem Sigybertho, regnavit Childeberthus, filius eius, pro eo. A principio usque ad diluvium anni 2242. A diluvium autem usque ad Abraham anni 942.

He died in the fourteenth year of his reign, at the age of forty. Therefore from the passing of Theodoberht the elder until the death of Sigyberht are reckoned 29 years. Between the death indeed of him and of his nephew Theodoberht were 18 days. After Sigyberht died, Childeberht, his son, reigned in his stead. From the beginning to the Flood 2242 years. From the Flood to Abraham 942 years.

Ab Abraham vero usque ad egressum filiorum Israhel ex Aegipto anni 462. Ab egressu filiorum Israhel ex Aegipto usque ad aedificationem templi Salomonis anni 480. Ab aedificationem ergo templi usque ad dissolationem eius et transmigratione in Babilonia anni 390.

From Abraham indeed to the departure of the sons of Israel from Egypt, 462 years. From the departure of the sons of Israel from Egypt to the building of Solomon’s temple, 480 years. From the building of the temple therefore to its dissolution and the transmigration into Babylon, 390 years.

A transmigratione igitur usque ad passionem Domini anni 668. A passione Domini usque ad transitum sancti Martini anni 412. A transitum sancti Martini usque ad transitum Chlodovechi regis anni A transitum Chlodovechi regis usque ad transitum Theodoberthi anni 37. A transitum Theodoberthi usque ad exitum Sigyberthi anni 29. Quod sunt simul anni 5774 tantum.

From the transmigration therefore until the Passion of the Lord, years 668. From the Passion of the Lord until the passing of Saint Martin, years 412. From the passing of Saint Martin until the passing of King Clovis, years [blank]. From the passing of King Clovis until the passing of Theodoberth, years 37. From the passing of Theodoberth until the death of Sigyberth, years 29. Which together are only 5774 years.