Gregory of Tours: LIBRI HISTORIARUM

Igitur post mortem Leuvigilde Hispanorum regis Richaredus, filius eius, foedus iniit cum Goesintha, relicta patris sui, eamque ut matrem suscepit. Haec enim erat mater Brunechildis reginae, matris Childeberthi iunioris. Richaredus vero de alia uxore erat filius Leuvigildi.

Therefore, after the death of Leuvigild, king of the Spaniards, Richaredus, his son, entered into a foedus with Goesintha, the relict of his father, and accepted her as a mother. For she was the mother of Queen Brunechildis, the mother of Childebert Junior. But Richaredus was the son of Leuvigild by another wife.

Denique, cum noverca habitu consilio, legatus ad Gunthramno rege adque ad Childebertum dirigit, dicens: Tacem habete nobiscum, et ineamus foedus, ut adiutus praesidio vestro, cum necessitas poposcerit, simile nos condicione, intercedente cantate, muniamus'. Venientes vero legati, qui ad Guntchramnum regem directi erant, apud Matascensem oppidum iussi sunt residere, ibique, transmissis viris, rex causas cognovit, sed recipere noluit verba eorum. Unde talis postmodum inter eos inimicitia pullulavit, ut ad civitates Septemaniae nullum de regno eius transire permitterent. Hi vero qui ad Childeberthum regem venerunt cum cantate recepti sunt, datisque muneribus, accepta pace, cum muneribus sunt regressi.

Finally, having held counsel with the stepmother, he sends an envoy to King Gunthramn and to Childebert, saying: “Have peace with us, and let us enter a treaty, so that, aided by your protection, when necessity shall demand it, we may likewise secure you on like terms, with a pledge interceding.” But the envoys who were sent to King Gunthramn were ordered to remain at the town of Matascon, and there, after men were sent, the king learned the causes, but was unwilling to receive their words. Whence thereafter such enmity sprouted up between them that they permitted no one from his kingdom to cross to the cities of Septimania. Those, however, who came to King Childebert were received with a pledge, and, gifts having been given, peace being made, they returned with gifts.

2. De obito beatae Radegundae.

2. On the obit of blessed Radegund.

Eo anno beatissima Radegundis ab hoc mundo migravit. Quae magnum planctum in monasterio, quem constituerat, dereliquid. Fuique et ego praesens ad eam sepiliendam.

In that year the most blessed Radegund migrated from this world. She left behind great lamentation in the monastery which she had established. And I too was present to inter her.

Obiit autem mense sexto, tertia decima die mensis , sepulta post triduum. Quae autem ibi ipsa die virtutes apparuerunt, vel qualiter fuerit funerata, in libro Miraculorum plenius scribere studui.

She died, moreover, in the sixth month, on the thirteenth day of the month, and was buried after three days. As for the miracles that appeared there on that very day, and how she was buried, I have endeavored to write more fully in the Book of Miracles.

3. De eo, qui cum cultro ad Gunthchramno rege venit.

3. Concerning him who came with a knife to King Gunthchramn.

Interia advenit festivitas sancti Marcelli, quae apud urbem Cavillonensim mense septimo caelebratur, et Gunthchramnus rex adfuit. Verum ubi, peracta solemnia, ad sacrosanctum altarium communicandi gratia accessisset, venit quidam quasi aliquid suggesturus. Qui dum properat contra regem, culter ei de manu dilabitur; adpraehensumque repente, alium cultrum evaginatum in manu eius repperierunt.

Meanwhile the feast of Saint Marcellus arrived, which is celebrated at the city of Cavillon in the seventh month, and King Gunthchramn was present. But when, the solemnities having been completed, he had approached the sacrosanct altar for the sake of communicating, there came a certain man as if to suggest something. As he hastens against the king, a knife slips from his hand; and, he being suddenly apprehended, they found another knife unsheathed in his hand.

Nec mora, eductus a basilica sancta, vinctus et tormentis addictus, confitetur se emissum ad interficiendum regem, dicens: 'Sic enim tractavit, qui me misit, quia: ìCognovit rex multorum in se odia adgregata, et suspectus, ne percutiatur, omnino se a suis vallari praecipit; nec repperitur aditus, qualiter ad eum cum gladiis possimus accedere, nisi in aeclesia, in qua securus et nihil metuens stare denuscitur, verberitur"'. Sed et his de quibus locutus fuit adpraehensis, multis interemptis, hunc verberatum plagis demisit vivum, quia nefas potavit, si his qui ab eclesia eductus fuerat truncaretur.

Without delay, led out from the holy basilica, bound and given over to torments, he confesses that he had been sent to put the king to death, saying: 'For thus did he who sent me contrive, because: ìThe king has recognized that the hatreds of many have been aggregated against him, and, being suspicious lest he be struck down, he altogether orders himself to be walled-in by his own; nor is an approach found by which we can with swords be able to come to him, except in the church, in which he is known to stand secure and fearing nothing, let him be beaten"'. But even with those about whom he had spoken apprehended, many being slain, he dismissed this man alive, beaten with blows, because he judged it a nefas if he who had been led out from the church were cut down.

4. Quod Childebertho alius natus est filius.

4. That another son was born to Childebert.

Eo anno Childebertho rege alius filius natus est, quem Veranus Cavelonensis episcopus suscipiens a lavacro, Theodorici nomen inposuit. Erat enim eo tempore ipsi pontifex magnis virtutibus praeditus, ita ut plerumque infirmis signum crucis inponens, statim sanitate, tribuenti Domino, restauraret.

In that year, with Childebert as king, another son was born, whom Bishop Veranus of Cavaillon, receiving from the font, imposed the name Theodoric. For at that time that pontiff himself was endowed with great virtues, such that, very often placing the sign of the cross upon the infirm, he immediately, the Lord granting, restored them to health.

5. De prodigiis.

5. On prodigies.

Prodigia quoque multa dehinc apparuerunt. Nam vasa per domus diversorum signis, nescio quibus, caraxata sunt, quae res nullo umquam modo aut eradi potuit aut deleri. Inceptum est autem hoc prodigium ab urbis Carnotinae territurio; et veniens per Aurilianensem, usque Burdegalensem terminum peraccessit, non praetermittens ullam urbem, quae fuit in medio.

Many prodigies thereafter appeared. For vessels throughout the houses of various people were scratched with signs—I know not what—which thing could by no means ever be scraped off or obliterated. Now this prodigy was begun from the territory of the city of Chartres; and, coming through the Orléanais, it made its way as far as the boundary of the Bordelais, not passing over any city that was in between.

In vineis vero mense octavo, transacta vindimia, palmites novos cum uvis deformatis aspeximus. In aliis arboribus frondes novi et nova visa sunt poma. Radii a parte aquilonis apparuerunt.

In the vineyards indeed, in the eighth month, after the vintage was finished, we beheld new vine-shoots with deformed grapes. On other trees new leaves and new fruits were seen. Rays appeared from the quarter of the north.

Adserebant nonnulli, vidisse se serpentes ex nube delapsos. Alii adfirmabant, villam cum casis et hominibus subitania internicione evanuisse. Et multa alia signa apparuerunt, quae aut regis obitum adnunciare solent aut regiones excidium.

Some asserted that they had seen serpents fallen down from a cloud. Others affirmed that a villa, with cottages and people, had vanished in a sudden extermination. And many other signs appeared, which are wont either to announce a king’s death or the destruction of regions.

Vindimia eo anno tenuis, aquae validae, pluviae inmensae, flumina quoque granditer adaucta fuerunt.

The vintage that year was thin; the waters were strong, the rains immense, and the rivers too were greatly augmented.

6. De seductoribus et ariolis.

6. On seducers and soothsayers.

Fuit eo anno in urbe Thoronica Desiderius nomine, qui se magnum quendam esse dicebat, adserens se multa posse facere signa. Nam et nuntius inter se atque Petrum Paulumque apostolos discurrere iactitabat. Ad quem, quia praesens non eram, rusticitas populi multa confluxerat, deferentes secum caecos et debiles, quos non sanctitate sanare, sed errore nigromantici ingenii quaerebat inludere.

In that year there was in the city of Tours a man named Desiderius, who kept saying that he was some great person, asserting that he could make many signs. For he even bragged that a messenger ran back and forth between himself and the apostles Peter and Paul. To him, because I was not present, a great rustic crowd of the populace had converged, bringing with them the blind and the weak, whom he sought not to heal by sanctity, but to delude by the error of necromantic ingenuity.

Nam hos, qui erant paralitici aut alia inpediti debilitate, iubebat valide extendi, ut, quos virtutis divinae largitione diregere non poterat, quasi per industriam restauraret. Denique adpraehendebant pueri eius manus hominis, alii vero pedes, tractumque diversis in partibus, ita ut nervi potarentur abrumpi, cum non sanarentur, demittebantur exanimis. Unde factum est, ut in hoc supplicio multi spiritum exalarent.

For those who were paralytics or impeded by some other debility, he ordered them to be stretched violently, so that those whom he could not set straight by the largess of divine virtue he might, as if by industry, restore. Finally, his boys would seize the man’s hands, while others his feet, and, having dragged him in different parts, to such a degree that the sinews seemed to be torn asunder, when they were not healed, they were let down lifeless. Whence it came about that under this punishment many breathed out their spirit.

Tantoque miser elatus erat, ut iuniorem sibi beatum Martinum esse diceret, se vero apostolis coaequaret. Nec mirum, si hic similem se dicat apostolis, cum ille auctor nequitiae, a quo ista procedunt, Christum se esse in fine saeculi fateatur. Nam de hoc animadversum est, ut superius diximus, errore nigromantiae artis fuisse inbutum, quia, ut adserunt qui eum viderunt, cum quisque de eo procul et abditae quicquam locutus fuisset mali, coram populo adstante inproperabat, dicens, quia: 'Hoc et illud de me effatus es, quae sanctitate meae erant indigna'. Et quid aliud nisi nuntiantibus daemoniis cognoscebat?

And the wretch was so puffed up that he would say that blessed Martin was his junior to himself, but that he equated himself with the apostles. Nor is it a marvel, if this man says himself like the apostles, since that author of iniquity, from whom these things proceed, confesses that he is Christ at the end of the age. For it has been observed, as we said above, that he had been imbued with the error of the art of necromancy, because, as those who saw him assert, whenever anyone had spoken any evil of him at a distance and in hiding, he would upbraid him with it before the people standing by, saying, “This and that you have uttered about me, which were unworthy of my sanctity.” And how did he know it except by demons announcing it?

Habebat autem cucullam ac tonicam de pilis caprarum, et in praesente quidem abstinens erat a cybis et potu, clam autem, cum in diversurio venisset, ita infercibat in ore, ut minister non occurrerit tantum poscenti porregere. Sed detecta dolositas eius et a nostris depraehensa, eiectus est extra urbis terminum. Nec cognovimus deinceps, quo abisset; dicebat tamen civem se esse Burdegalensem.

He had, moreover, a cowl and a tunic of caprine hair; and in public he was indeed abstinent from food and drink; but secretly, when he had come into an inn, he would so stuff his mouth that the minister could not keep pace to proffer as much as he was demanding. But his trickery, once detected and apprehended by our people, he was ejected beyond the terminus of the city. Nor did we thereafter learn whither he had gone; he did say, however, that he was a citizen of Bordeaux.

Nam et ante hos septem annos fuit et alius valde seductur, qui multos decepit dolositate sua. Hic enim colobio indutus erat, amictus desuper sindonem, crucem ferens, de qua dependebant ampullulae, quas dicebat oleum sanctum habere. Aiebat enim se de Hispaniis adventare ac reliquias beatissimorum martyrum Vincenti levitae Felicisque martyris exhibere.

For also seven years before this there was another very much a seducer, who deceived many by his dolosity. For this man was clothed in a colobium, wrapped over it with a sindon, carrying a cross, from which little ampullae were hanging, which he said contained holy oil. He kept saying that he was coming from Spain and that he was exhibiting the relics of the most blessed martyrs, of Vincent the deacon and of Felix the martyr.

Sed cum iam vespere ad basilicam sancti Martini Thoronus advenisset et nos convivio resederemus, mandatum misit, dicens: 'Occurrant reliquiis sanctis'. Cui nos, quia hora iam praeterierat, dixemus: 'Requiescant beatae reliquiae super altarium, donec mane procedemus ad occursum earum'. Sed hic primum diluculo consurgens, nec expectatis nobis, advenit cum cruce sua et in cellola nostra adfuit. Stupefactus ego et admirans levitatem, interrogo, quid sibi haec vellent. Respondit quasi superbus et inflata voce: 'Meliorem', inquid, 'occursum nobis exhibere debueras.

But when by evening he had already arrived at the basilica of Saint Martin at Tours and we had sat down again to the banquet, he sent a mandate, saying: 'Let them go to meet the holy relics.' To which we, because the hour had already passed, said: 'Let the blessed relics rest upon the altar, until in the morning we shall proceed to meet them.' But this man, rising at first light, and not having waited for us, came with his cross and was present in our little cell. I, astonished and marveling at his levity, ask what these things were meant to be. He replied as if haughty and with an inflated voice: 'You ought to have furnished us a better meeting.'

Sed haec ego in auribus Chilperici reges ingeram; ille autem ulciscitur dispectionem meam'. Et ingressus in oraturio, me postposito, ipse capitellum unum adque alterum ac tertium dicit, ipse orationem profert et ipse consumat, elevataque iterum cruce, abiit. Erat enim ei et sermo rusticus et ipsius linguae latitudo turpis atque obscoena; sed nec de eo sermo rationabilis procedebat. Qui usque Pariseus accessit.

'But these things I will thrust into the ears of King Chilperic; and he will avenge my disdain.' And having entered the oratory, with me set aside, he himself says one little chapter and another and a third, he himself offers the prayer and he himself consumes, and the cross having been lifted again, he went away. For both his speech was rustic and the breadth of his tongue was foul and obscene; nor did reasonable discourse proceed from him. He advanced as far as Paris.

His enim diebus rogationes publicae caelebrabantur, quae ante sanctum dominicae ascensiones diem agi solent. Factum est autem, ut, procedente Ragnemodo pontifice cum populo suo et loca sancta circumeunte, ut et hic cum cruce sua adveniens, inusitato populis exhibens indumento, adiunctis publicanis ac rusticis mulieribus, et iste chorum suum faceret, et quasi cum sua multitudine loca sancta circuire temptat. Haec cernens episcopus, misit archidiaconum, dicens: 'Si reliquias sanctorum exhibes, pone eas paululum in basilica et nobiscum caelebra dies sanctos; decursa autem sollemnitatem, profecisceris in viam tuam'. At ille parvi pendens, quae ab archidiaconum dicebantur, coepit episcopum conviciis ac maledictionibus prosequi.

For in these days the public Rogations were being celebrated, which are wont to be held before the holy day of the Lord’s Ascension. And it came to pass that, as Ragnemodus the pontiff went forth with his people and was going around the holy places, this man also, arriving with his cross, displaying to the people an unusual vestment, with publicans and rustic women appended, likewise made his own chorus, and attempts to go around the holy places as though with his own multitude. Seeing these things, the bishop sent the archdeacon, saying: 'If you are exhibiting the relics of the saints, set them for a little while in the basilica and celebrate the holy days with us; the solemnity run through, you will set out on your way'. But he, making little of the things that were being said by the archdeacon, began to pursue the bishop with insults and maledictions.

Sacerdos vero intellegens eum seductorem, iussit eum recludi in cellolam. Perscrutatisque cunctis quae habebat, invenit cum eo sacculum magnum plenum de radicibus diversarum herbarum, ibique et dentes talpae et ossa murium et ungues atque adipes ursinos. Vidensque haec maleficia esse, cuncta iussit in flumine proici; ablataque ei cruce, iussit eum a termino Parisiacae urbis excludi.

The priest, however, understanding him to be a seducer, ordered him to be shut up in a little cell. And when all the things he had were searched, he found with him a large sack full of the roots of diverse herbs, and there also the teeth of a mole, and the bones of mice, and claws, and bear-greases. And seeing that these were malefic arts, he ordered all to be cast into the river; and, the cross taken from him, he ordered him to be excluded from the boundary of the city of Paris.

Sed hic iterum, facta sibi altera cruce, coepit quae prius gesserat exercere; captusque ab archidiacono et catenis vinctus, iussus est costodire. His diebus Parisius adveneram et ad basilicam beati Iuliam marthyris metatum habebam. Nocte igitur insequenti erumpens miser iste de custodia, cum ipsis quibus erat nexus catenis ad antedictam basilicam sancti Iuliam properat atque in pavimento, in loco quo ego stare eram solitus, ruit ac sopore vinoque obpressus obdormivit.

But he, again, having made for himself another cross, began to exercise what he had previously carried out; and, seized by the archdeacon and bound with chains, he was ordered to be kept in custody. In those days I had arrived at Paris and I had my quarters at the basilica of the blessed Julian the martyr. Therefore on the following night, breaking out of custody, this wretch, with the very chains by which he was fastened, hastens to the aforesaid basilica of Saint Julian, and on the pavement, in the place where I was accustomed to stand, he falls and, overborne by sleep and wine, fell asleep.

Nos vero ignari facto, media surgentes nocte ad reddendas Domino gratias, invenimus eum dormientem. De quo tantus fetor egrediebatur, ut omnium cloacarum adque secessorum fetores fetor ille devinceret. Sed nec nos prae hoc fetore in basilicam ingredi potueramus.

But we, truly unaware of what had been done, rising in the middle of the night to render thanks to the Lord, found him sleeping. From him such a great fetor was issuing that that fetor outmatched the fetors of all the cloacae and privies. And we, on account of this fetor, were not able to enter the basilica.

Accedens vero unus clericorum, clausis naribus, eum excitare nititur nec potuit; ita enim erat miser madefactus vino. Tunc quattuor accedentes clerici, levantes eum inter manus, in uno angulo basilicae proiecerunt; et exhibentes aquas, abluto pavimento, resperso etiam herbolis odoratis, sic ingressi sumus explere cursum. Numquam tamen nobis psallentibus potuit excitare, donec, dato terris diae, altius solis lampas ascenderet.

But one of the clerics, approaching with his nostrils closed, tries to rouse him and could not; for the wretch was thus soaked with wine. Then four clerics approaching, lifting him in their hands, cast him into one corner of the basilica; and bringing water, with the pavement washed and even sprinkled with fragrant herbs, thus we entered to fulfill the course. Never, however, while we were psalming, was he able to be awakened, until, day having been given to the lands, the lamp of the sun climbed higher.

Dehinc excusatum reddidi sacerdotem. Convenientibus autem episcopis apud urbem Parisiacam, dum haec in convivio narravimus, ipsum pro castigationis gratia adesse praecipimus. Quo adstante, elevatis Amelius Beorretanae urbis episcopus oculis, cognoscit eum suum esse famulum sibique per fugam dilapsum; et sic excusatum receptum reduxit in patriam.

Thereafter I rendered the priest excused. But when the bishops were convening at the city of Paris, while we were narrating these things at a banquet, we ordered him himself to be present for the sake of castigation. With him standing by, Amelius, bishop of the city of Beorretana, lifting his eyes, recognizes him to be his own servant and to have slipped away from him by flight; and thus, having received the excused man, he led him back to his fatherland.

Multi enim sunt, qui, has seductiones exercentes, populum rusticum in errore ponere non desistunt, de quibus, ut opinor, et Dominus in euangelio ait, consurgere in novissimis temporibus pseudochristus et pseudoprophetas, qui, dantes signa et prodigia, etiam electos in errore inducant. De his ista sufficiant; nos potius ad propositum rediamus.

For there are many who, practicing these seductions, do not cease to set the rustic populace in error, concerning whom, as I suppose, the Lord also says in the Gospel that pseudo-Christs and pseudo-prophets will arise in the last times, who, giving signs and prodigies, would lead even the elect into error. Of these things let these suffice; let us rather return to our proposed subject.

7. De remotione Ennodi ducis et de Wasconibus.

7. On the removal of Duke Ennodus and of the Basques.

Ennodius cum ducatum urbium Thoronicae atque Pectavae ministraret, adhuc et Vice Iuliensis atque Benarnae urbium principatum accipit. Sed euntibus comitibus Thoronicae atque Pectavae urbis ad regem Childeberthum, obtenuerunt, eum a se removere. Ille vero, ubi se remotum de his sensit, ad civitates superius memoratas properat; sed dum in illis commoraretur, mandatum accepit, ut se ab eisdem removerit; et sic accepto otio, ad domum suam reversus, privati operis curam gerit.

While Ennodius was administering the duchy of the cities Thoronica and Pectava, he moreover also receives the principate of the cities Vice Iuliensis and Benarna. But when the counts of the city of Thoronica and of Pectava went to King Childebert, they obtained that he be removed from them. He, however, when he perceived himself removed from these, hastens to the above-mentioned cities; but while he was dwelling in them, he received a mandate to remove himself from those same; and thus, leisure having been obtained, returning to his own house, he takes care of private business.

Wascones vero de montibus prorumpentes, in plana descendunt, vineas agrosque depopulantes, domus tradentes incendio, nonnullus abducentes captivos cum pecoribus. Contra quos saepius Austrovaldus dux processit, sed parvam ultionem exegit ab eis. Gothi vero propter superiores anni devastationem, quam in Septimaniam regis Gunthramni exercitus fecit, in Arelatense provinciam proruperunt, egeruntque praedas atque captivos abduxerunt usque decimo ab urbe miliario.

But the Wascones, bursting forth from the mountains, descend into the plains, ravaging vineyards and fields, delivering houses to fire, carrying off not a few captives with the herds. Against them Duke Austrovaldus often advanced, but he exacted little vengeance from them. But the Goths, on account of the previous year’s devastation which the army of King Gunthramn wrought in Septimania, burst into the Arelatensian province, and drove off plunder and led away captives as far as the tenth milestone from the city.

Unum etiam castro Ugernum nomen cum rebus atque habitatoribus desolantes, nullo resistenti, regressi sunt.

They also, desolating a single fortress by the name Ugernum, stripping it of its goods and inhabitants, with no one resisting, returned.

8. De praesentia Gunthchramni Bosonis.

8. On the presence of Gunthchramn Boso.

Gunthchramnus vero Boso, cum exosus reginae haberetur, coepit per episcopus ac proceres discurrere et veniam sero praecare, quam ante dispexerat. Nam cum rex Childeberthus esset iunior, Brunechildem reginam saepe conviciis atque inproperiis lacessibat; sed et iniuriis, quae ei ab adversis inferebantur, fautor exteterat. Sed et rex ad ulciscendam iniuriam genetricis iussit eum persequi atque interfici.

But Gunthchramnus Boso, since he was held as hateful by the queen, began to run about among bishops and nobles and to beg pardon late, which he had previously despised. For when King Childebert was younger, he used often to provoke Queen Brunechild with taunts and reproaches; and he had moreover stood forth as a supporter of the injuries that were being brought against her by her adversaries. And the king, to avenge the injury of his genetrix, ordered that he be pursued and put to death.

Ille vero cum se cerneret positum in discrimine, Veredunensem eclesiam petiit, per Agericum prorsus episcopum, qui erat regis pater ex lavacro, veniam inpetrare confidens. Tunc pontifex ad regem properat depraecaturque pro eo; cui rex cum negare nequiret quae petebat, ait: 'Veniat coram nobis, et datis fideiussoribus in praesentia patrui mei, quicquid illius iudicium decreverit, exsequamur'. Tunc adductus ad locum ubi rex morabatur, nudatus armis ac per manicas tentus, ab episcopo repraesentatur rege. Ad cuius provolutus pedes, ait: 'Peccavi tibi ac genetrice tuae, non oboediendo praeceptionibus vestris, sed agendo contra voluntate vestram atque utilitatem publicam; nunc autem rogo, ut indulgeatis malis meis, quae in vobis gessi'. Rex autem iussit eum elevari a terra et posuit in manu episcopi, dicens: 'Sit penes te, sanctae sacerdos, donec in praesentia Gunthchramni regis adveniat'. Et iussit eum discidere.

But he, when he perceived himself set in peril, sought the church of Verdun, trusting to obtain pardon through Ageric, the very bishop, who was the king’s father from the baptismal font. Then the pontiff hastens to the king and pleads for him; and since the king could not deny what he asked, he said: ‘Let him come before us, and, sureties having been given, in the presence of my paternal uncle, whatever his judgment shall decree, let us carry out.’ Then, brought to the place where the king was staying, stripped of arms and held by manacles, he is presented by the bishop to the king. Prostrate at his feet, he said: ‘I have sinned against you and your mother, by not obeying your precepts, but by acting against your will and the public utility; now, however, I beg that you pardon my evils, which I have committed against you.’ But the king ordered him to be raised from the ground and placed him in the hand of the bishop, saying: ‘Let him remain with you, holy priest, until he comes into the presence of King Gunthchramn.’ And he ordered him to depart.

9. De interitu Rauchingi.

9. On the death of Rauching.

Post haec Rauchingus cuniunctus cum prioribus regni Chlothari, fili Chilperici, confingens se quasi tractaturus de pace, ut inter terminum utriusque regni nulla intentio aut dereptio gereretur, consilium habuerunt, ut scilicet, interfecto Childebertho rege, Rauchingus cum Theodobertho, seniore eius filio , Campaniae regnum teneret, Ursio vero ac Berthefredus , iuniorem filium nuper genitum, qui Theodoricus cognominatur, in se susceptum, excluso Gunthchramno rege, reliquum regni teneret, multa etiam contra Brunechilde reginam frementes, ut eam in contumiliam redigerent, sicut prius fecerant in viduetate sua. Rauchingus ergo, summa elatus potentiam et, ut ita dicam, ad ipsius regalis sceptri se iactans gloriam, iter praeparat ad Childeberthum regem accidendi, ut consilium quod inierat possit explere. Sed pietas Domini haec verba in aures Gunthchramni regis prius inposuit, qui, missis nuntiis clam ad Childeberthum regem, omnes ei molitiones has in notitiam posuit, dicens: 'Accelera velociter, ut videamur a nobis; sunt enim causae, quae agi debeant'. At ille diligenter inquirens, quae ei nuntiata fuerant, veraque esse cognuscens, arcessiri Rauchingum iussit.

After these things Rauchingus, joined with the chiefs of the kingdom of Chlothar, son of Chilperic, feigning himself as if he were about to treat concerning peace, so that between the boundary of each kingdom no contention or depredation might be carried on, held counsel, namely that, with King Childebert slain, Rauchingus with Theodoberth, his elder son, should hold the kingdom of Champagne; but Ursio and Berthefred, the younger son newly begotten, who is surnamed Theodoric, taken under their protection, with King Gunthchramn excluded, should hold the remainder of the kingdom, raging also many things against Queen Brunechilde, to reduce her into contumely, as they had previously done in her widowhood. Rauchingus therefore, exalted by highest potency and, so to speak, vaunting himself to the glory of the royal scepter itself, prepares a journey to go to King Childebert, that he might be able to fulfill the counsel which he had undertaken. But the piety of the Lord first put these words into the ears of King Gunthchramn, who, messengers sent secretly to King Childebert, placed all these machinations into his knowledge, saying: “Hasten swiftly, that we may see one another; for there are causes which ought to be dealt with.” And he, diligently inquiring into the things which had been announced to him and recognizing them to be true, ordered Rauchingus to be summoned.

Qui cum adfuisset, priusquam eum rex suo iussisset adstare conspectui, datis litteris et pueris distinatis cum evectione publica, qui res eius per loca singula deberent capere, iussit eum in cubiculo intromitti; locutusque cum eo alia ex aliis, egredi iterum de cubiculo iubet. Cumque egredieretur, a duobus ostiariis pedibus adpraehensus, ruit in gradibus ostei, ita ut pars corpori eius esset intrinsecus, pars vero extrinsecus extenderetur. Tunc hi, qui iussi ad haec explenda parati erant, cum gladiis super eum ruunt atque ita minutatim caput eius conliserunt, ut simile totum cerebro potaretur; statimque mortuus est.

He, when he had arrived, before the king had ordered him to stand in his presence, letters having been sent and boys assigned with the public post, who were to seize his property in each several place, ordered him to be admitted into the bedchamber; and, having spoken with him, one thing after another, he bids him go out again from the bedchamber. And as he was going out, seized by the feet by two ostiaries, he fell on the steps of the doorway, such that part of his body was inside, but part, indeed, was stretched outside. Then those who had been ordered and were prepared to accomplish these things rush upon him with swords and so crushed his head into tiny pieces, that the whole might be drunk as if like brain; and immediately he died.

Tunc denudatus et per fenestram eiectus, sepulturae mandatus est. Erat autem levis in moribus, ultra humanum genus cupiditate ac facultatibus inhians alienis et ex ipsis divitiis valde superbus, in tantum ut iam in ipso interitus sui tempore Chlothari regis se filium fateretur. Multum tamen cum eo auri repertum est.

Then, stripped and thrown out through the window, he was consigned to burial. He was, moreover, light in morals, beyond the human measure, gaping with cupidity after others’ goods and resources, and from those very riches exceedingly proud, to such an extent that even at the very time of his destruction he confessed himself a son of King Chlothar. Much gold, however, was found with him.

Quo interfectu, protinus unus puerorum eius cursu veloci evolans, nuntiavit coniuge eius quae acta erant. Haec vero per plateam Sessionicae civitatis, compta grandibus ornamentis ac gemmarum praetiositatibus vel auri fulgore obtecta, ascensu aequo, praecidentibus pueris aliisque sequentibus, ferebatur atque ad basilicam sancti Crispini Crispinianique properabat, quasi expectatura missas. Erat enim eo diae passio marthyrum beatorum.

With him having been slain, immediately one of his boys, winging forth with swift run, announced to his consort what had been done. She, indeed, through the street of the city of Soissons, adorned with great ornaments and the costliness of gems and covered with the luster of gold, with an even carriage, boys preceding and others following, was being borne and was hastening to the basilica of Saint Crispin and Crispinian, as if about to await the Masses. For on that day was the Passion of the blessed martyrs.

Sed videns nuntium, per aliam plateam gressum retorquens, proiectis in terra ornamentis, in basilicam sancti Medardi antestitis confugit, ibique se tutare confessores praesidio potans. Pueri vero, qui missi a rege fuerant ad requirendas res eius, tanta in thensauris illius repperierunt, quanta nec in ipso aerarii publice registu poterant invenire; quae totum reges conspectibus praesentarunt. Nam eo diae, quo hic interfectus est, erant cum rege multi Thoronorum atque Pectavorum, de quibus tale fuit consilium, ut, si malum hoc perficere potuissent, hos subditus supplicio, dicerent, quia: 'Ex vobis fuit qui regem nostrum interemit', eosque diversis suppliciis trucidatus, ultoris se mortis regiae esse iactarent.

But seeing the messenger, turning her step down another street, after casting her ornaments upon the ground, she fled into the basilica of Saint Medardus the prelate, and there, thinking to keep herself safe by the protection of the confessors. The pages, however, who had been sent by the king to search out her property, found so much in her treasures as they could not discover even in the very register of the public treasury; and they presented the whole to the sight of the kings. For on that day on which this man was slain, there were with the king many of the Turonians and the Poitevins, among whom such was the counsel: that, if they could bring this evil to completion, they would subject these men to punishment, saying, “From among you there was one who slew our king,” and, after butchering them with diverse tortures, they would boast themselves to be avengers of the royal death.

Sed Deus omnipotens consilia eorum, quia iniqua erant, dissipavit implevitque illud, quod scriptum est, quia: Foveam, quam fratri parabis, incedis in ea. In loco tamen Rauchingi Magnovaldus diregitur dux. Iam enim Ursio atque Berthefredus, certi, quod Rauchingus quae conlocuti fuerant possit explere, collectu exercitu, veniebant. Sed audientes, quod scilicit tali fuissit affectus interitu, adaucta adhuc secum multitudinem hominum, quae ad eos pertenere videbatur, infra castrum Vabrensim, quae villae Ursionis propinquus erat, cum rebus omnibus se muniunt conscii consilii sui, tractantes, ut, si rex Childeberthus aliquid contra eos agere voluissit, virtute se ab eius exercitu defensarent.

Sed the omnipotent God dissipated their counsels, because they were iniquitous, and fulfilled that which is written, namely: The pit which you will prepare for your brother, you will walk into it. In the place of Rauchingus, however, Magnovaldus is appointed duke. For already Ursio and Berthefredus, certain that Rauchingus could accomplish the things which they had discussed, having assembled an army, were coming. But, hearing that he had, to wit, been affected with such an end, drawing to themselves an even greater multitude of men, who seemed to pertain to them, within the Vabrense castle, which was near the villa of Ursio, they fortify themselves with all their goods, conscious of their plan, deliberating that, if King Childebert had wished to do anything against them, they would defend themselves by valor from his army.

Caput enim horum et causa malorum Ursio erat. Sed Brunichildis regina mandatum misit Berthefredo, dicens: 'Disiungere ab homine inimico, et habebis vitam. Alioquin cum eodem interibis'. Filia enim eius ex lavacro regina susciperat et ob hoc misericordiam de eo habere voluit.

For the head of these and the cause of the evils was Ursio. But Queen Brunichildis sent a mandate to Berthefredus, saying: 'Disjoin yourself from the hostile man, and you will have life. Otherwise you will perish with the same.' For the queen had received his daughter from the baptismal laver, and on account of this wished to have mercy upon him.

Qui ait: 'Nisi morte devellar ab eo, numquam a me relinquitur'.

Who said: 'Unless I am torn away from him by death, he is never relinquished by me'.

10. De interitu Gunthchramni Bosonis.

10. On the death of Gunthchramn Boso.

Dum haec autem agerentur, iterum misit Gunthchramnus rex ad nepotem suum Childeberthum, dicens: 'Morae omnes abscedant, et veni, ut te videam. Est enim certae necessitatis causa tam pro vitae vestrae commoda quam pro utilitatibus publicis, ut videamur a nobis'. Haec ille audiens, adsumpta matrem cum sorore et coniuge, ad occursum patrui distinat. Adfuit autem et Magnericus episcopus Trevericae urbis.

While these things, moreover, were being done, King Gunthchramnus again sent to his nephew Childeberth, saying: 'Let all delays depart, and come, that I may see you. For there is a cause of certain necessity, both for the advantage of your life and for public utilities, that we may see one another.' Hearing these things, having taken along his mother with his sister and wife, he hastens to meet his paternal uncle. Present too was Magnericus, bishop of the Treverian city (Trier).

Venit etiam Gunthchramnus Boso, quem Agericus Veredunensis episcopus sua in fide susciperat. Sed pontifex ille, qui pro eo fidem fecerat, non adfuit, quia convenerat, ut absque ullius defensione regi praesentaretur, scilicet ut, si ipse decerneret eum morte debere, non excusaretur a sacerdote; sin autem ille vitam concideret, liber abiret. Sed, coniunctis regibus, pro diversis facilitatibus culpabilis iudicatur; iussum est, ut interficeretur.

Gunthchramn Boso also came, whom Agericus, bishop of Verdun, had received into his faith. But that pontiff, who had given a pledge on his behalf, was not present, because it had been agreed that he be presented to the king without anyone’s defense, namely so that, if he himself should determine that he deserved death, he would not be excused by the priest; but if, on the other hand, he should grant him life, he would go free. But, the kings being brought together, he is judged culpable for various compliances; it was ordered that he be put to death.

Quod cum ille conperisset, ad mansionem Magnerici episcopi convolavit et, clausis osteis, segregatis ab eo clericis vel famulis, ait: 'Scio te, beatissime sacerdos, magnum cum regibus honorem habere. Et nunc ad te confugio, ut evadam. Ecce percussores ad osteum, unde manifeste scias, quod, si a te non eruor, interfectu te, egrediar foris et moriar.

When he had learned this, he rushed to the mansion of Bishop Magneric and, the doors having been closed, with the clerics or servants separated from him, said: 'I know you, most blessed priest, to have great honor with kings. And now I flee to you for refuge, that I may escape. Behold the assassins at the door, whence you may plainly know that, if I am not rescued by you, with you slain, I will go out and die.

Manifestissime enim noveris, quia aut mors una nos occupat aut par vita defensat. O sanctus sacerdos, scio enim, te patrem communem cum rege esse filio eius, et novi, quoniam quaecumque petieris ab eo obtenebis, nec negare omnino poterit sanctitate tuae quaecumque poposceris. Ideoque aut inpertire veniam, aut moriamur simul'. Haec autem evaginato aiebat gladio.

For you must most manifestly know that either one and the same death seizes us, or a like life defends us. ‘O holy priest, for I know that you are a common father with the king to his son, and I know that whatever you shall petition from him you will obtain, nor will he at all be able to deny, on account of your sanctity, whatever you have demanded. And so either impart pardon, or let us die together.’ He was saying these things, moreover, with his sword unsheathed.

Turbatus auditu episcopus ait: 'Et quid faciam, si hic a te tenior? Demitte me, ut eam et depraecer misericordiam regis, et fortassis miserebitur tui'. Et ille: 'Nequaquam, sed transmitte abbates et creditus tuos, ut haec quae loquor exponant'. Verumtamen non haec rege, ut erant, nuntiata sunt; sed dixerunt, quod hic ab episcopo defensaretur. Unde factum est, ut commotus rex diceret: 'Si episcopus exinde egredire noluerit, pariter cum illo auctore perfidiae pereat'. Haec audiens episcopus, direxit nuntius ad regem.

Disturbed at the hearing, the bishop said: 'And what shall I do, if I am held here by you? Release me, that I may go and beseech the mercy of the king, and perhaps he will pity you'. And he: 'By no means, but dispatch abbots and your trusted men, that they may set forth these things which I speak'. However, these things were not announced to the king as they were; but they said that he was being defended by the bishop. Whence it happened that the king, moved, said: 'If the bishop is unwilling to go out from there, let him perish together with that author of perfidy'. Hearing these things, the bishop sent a messenger to the king.

Qui cum ista narrassent, ait rex Gunthchramnus: 'Inicite ignem in domo, et si exire nequiverit episcopus, pariter concrementur' . Haec audientes clerici effractum vi osteum, sacerdotem eieciunt foris. Tunc miserrimus, cum videret se flammis validis ab utraque parte vallare, accinctus gladio accidit ad osteum. Verum ubi primum limen domus egrediens gressum foris fixit, statim unus e populo, eiecta lancia, frontem eius inlisit.

When they had told these things, King Gunthchramn said: 'Set fire to the house, and if the bishop has been unable to go out, let them be burned up together' . Hearing this, the clerics, the door broken open by force, cast the priest outside. Then the most wretched man, when he saw himself to be walled round by strong flames on either side, girded with a sword made for the doorway. But when first, going out, he set his step outside beyond the threshold of the house, immediately one of the people, a lance having been hurled, struck his forehead.

At ille hoc ictu turbatus, quasi amens, gladio eiecere temptans, ab adstantibus ita lanciarum multitudine sauciatur, ut, defixis in lateribus eius spiculis et sustentantibus astilibus, ad terram ruere non possit. Interfecti sunt et pauci qui cum eo erant expositique in campo simul. Pro quibus vix obtentum fuit cum principibus, ut terrae reconderentur.

But he, disturbed by this blow, as if demented, trying to strike out with his sword, is wounded by the bystanders with such a multitude of lances that, the spearheads fixed in his flanks and the shafts sustaining him, he could not collapse to the ground. A few also who were with him were slain and exposed together in the field. On their behalf it was scarcely obtained with the princes that they be interred in the earth.

Fuit autem hic in actu levis, avariciae inhians, rerum alienarum ultra modum cupidus, omnibus iurans et nulli promissa adimplens. Uxor autem eius cum filiis exilio data est, resque illius fisco conlate sunt. Multitudo autem auri argentique ac diversarum specierum in eius regestis reperta est.

He, moreover, was light in conduct, gaping after avarice, beyond measure greedy for others’ property, swearing to all and fulfilling promises to none. His wife, moreover, with his sons was given over to exile, and his goods were transferred to the fisc. And a multitude of gold and silver, and of diverse kinds, was found in his registers.

Sed et quae sub terra absconderat, stimulante conscientia iniquitatis suae, non latuerunt. Ariolus ac sortis saepius utebatur, ex quibus futura cognoscere cupiens, remansit inlusus.

But even the things which he had hidden beneath the earth, with the conscience of his iniquity goading him, did not escape notice. He made frequent use of a soothsayer and of sortilege, desiring from these to know the future, but he was left deluded.

11. Quod se reges viderunt.

11. That the kings saw themselves.

Rex vero Gunthchramnus cum nepote suo ac reginis pacem firmavit, datis sibi invicem muneribus ac stabilitatis causis publicis, epulati sunt pariter. Laudabat enim Dominum Gunthchramnus rex, dicens: 'Refero tibi maximas gratias, omnipotens Deus, qui mihi praestetisti, ut videre merear filios de filio meo Childebertho. Unde non me puto usquequaque a tua maiestate relictum, qui mihi haec praestetisti, ut videam filios filii mei'. Tunc Dinamium et Lupum ducem redditus rex Childeberthus recepit, Cadurcum Brunechilde reginae refudit.

But King Gunthchramnus with his grandson and the queens confirmed peace, with gifts given to one another and public pledges of stability; they feasted together. For King Gunthchramnus was praising the Lord, saying: 'I render to you the greatest thanks, almighty God, who have vouchsafed to me that I may merit to see sons from my son Childeberthus. Whence I do not think myself altogether left by your majesty, you who have granted me this, that I may see the sons of my son'. Then King Childeberthus received back Dinamius and Duke Lupus, restored, and he restored Cadurcum to Queen Brunechilde.

Et sic cum pace et gaudio iterum atque iterum Deo gratias agentes, conscriptis pactionibus, se remunerantes et osculantes, regressus est unusquisque ad civitatem suam.

And thus, with peace and joy, giving thanks to God again and again, the pacts having been written down, remunerating one another and kissing, each returned to his own city.

12. De interitu Ursionis ac Berthefredi.

12. On the death of Ursio and Berthefried.

Childebertus vero rex, collecto exercitu, ad locum dirigi iubet, in quo Ursio ac Bertefredus inclusi morabantur. Erat enim villa in pago Vabrense, cui inminebat mons arduus. In huius cacumine basilicam in honore sancti ac beatissimi Martini construxit.

But King Childebert, the army having been gathered, orders it to be directed to the place in which Ursio and Bertefred were shut in and were staying. For it was a villa in the Vabrensian pagus, over which a steep mountain loomed. On the summit of this he built a basilica in honor of Saint and most blessed Martin.

Ferebant enim ibi castrum antiquitus fuisse; sed nunc non cura, sed natura tantum monitus erat. In hac ergo basilica cum rebus atque uxoribus vel familia se antedicti concluserant. Cummoto ergo exercito, sicut diximus, Childebertus rex illuc dirigit iubet.

For they said that there had been a castrum there of old; but now it was fortified not by care, but only by nature. Therefore in this basilica the aforementioned had shut themselves in with their goods and wives and household. Therefore, the army having been set in motion, as we have said, King Childebert orders it to be directed thither.

Verumtamen commoti homines, antequam ad eos accederent, ubicumque aut villas aut res eorum repperire potuerunt, omnia incendio ac praedae tradiderunt. Accedentes autem ad hunc locum, ad montem prorepiunt et basilicam cum armis vallant. Habebant autem quasi ducem tunc Godeghisilum, Lupi ducis generum.

Nevertheless, the men, once roused, before they could come up to them, wherever they were able to find either their villas or their goods, handed all over to fire and to plunder. And approaching this place, they crawl up to the mountain and surround the basilica with arms. They had then, as it were, a leader in Godeghisil, the son-in-law of Duke Lupus.

Cumque eos extrahere de basilica non valerent, ignem adplicare nituntur. Quod cernens Ursio, accinctus gladio, foris egressus est tantaque caede hos qui adsedebant mactavit, ut, quanti in eius contemplatione advenissent, nullus vivens remanere possit. Ibi et Trudulfus palatii regis comis cecidit, et multi de hoc exercitu prostrati sunt.

And when they were not able to extract them from the basilica, they attempted to apply fire. Seeing this, Ursio, girt with a sword, went out outside and with so great a slaughter slew those who were besieging, that, of however many had come within his sight, no living person could remain. There too Trudulf, count of the king’s palace, fell, and many from this army were prostrated.

Cumque iam annillus de caede Ursio cerneretur, percussus a quodam in femore, debilitatus ad terram ruit et sic, inruentibus aliis, vitam finivit. Quod cernens Godeghiselus, clamare coepit ac dicere: 'Fiat nunc pax! Ecce maximus inimicus domnorum nostrorum ruit; hic vero Bertefredus vitam habeat'. Haec eo dicente, cum omnis populus ad dereptionem rerum, quae in basilica adunatae fuerant, inhiaret, Bertefredus, ascenso equite, ad Veredunensem urbem dirigit, ibique in oraturio, qui in domo aeclesiastica erat, se tutari putans, praesertim cum et ipse pontifex Agericus in hac domo resederet.

And when now Ursio, breathless from the slaughter, was perceived, struck by a certain man in the thigh, weakened he rushed to the ground and thus, as others were rushing in, he finished his life. Seeing this, Godeghiselus began to shout and say: 'Let there now be peace! Behold, the greatest enemy of our lords falls; but let this Bertefred have life'. While he was saying these things, as all the people gaped for the despoiling of the goods which had been gathered in the basilica, Bertefred, mounting a horse, directs himself to the city of Verdun, and there, in an oratory which was in the ecclesiastical house, thinking to protect himself, especially since the pontiff Agericus himself was residing in this house.

Sed cum Childebertho rege nuntiatum fuisset, effugisse scilicet Berthefredum, perculsus cordis dolore, ait: 'Si hic mortem evaserit, non evadit Godeghiselus manus meas'. Nesciebat tamen rex, eum in domo aeclesiae ingressum fuisse, sed quasi in regione alia confugisse. Tunc timens Godeghisilus, commoto iterum exercitum, domum aeclesiae cum armatis vallat. Sed cum eum pontifex reddere nequiret, sed defensare conaretur, ascendentes supra tectum, eum ab ipsis tegulis ac materiis, quibus oraturium opertum erat, inlidentes interficerunt, ibique cum tribus famulis mortuus est, multum ex hoc episcopus dolens, quod eum non solum defensare non potuit, verum etiam locum, in quo orare consueverat et in quo sanctorum pignora adgregata fuerant, sanguine humano pollui vidit.

But when it had been announced to King Childeberthus that Berthefredus had escaped, smitten with pain of heart he said: 'If he escapes death, Godeghiselus will not escape my hands.' The king did not know, however, that he had entered the house of the church, but supposed that he had fled into another region. Then Godeghiselus, afraid, having set the army in motion again, surrounds the house of the church with armed men. But when the pontiff could not hand him over, and tried to defend him, they, going up upon the roof, by striking him with the very tiles and timbers with which the oratory was covered, killed him; and there he died with three servants, the bishop grieving much on account of this, because he not only could not defend him, but even saw the place in which he was wont to pray, and in which the relics of the saints had been gathered, polluted with human blood.

Misit autem Childeberthus rex cum muneribus, ut a merore revocaretur; sed noluit consolare. Multi autem his diebus pertimiscentes regem, in aliis regionibus abscesserunt. Nonnulli etiam a primatu ducatus remoti sunt, in quorum ordine alii successerunt.

But King Childebert sent with gifts, that he might be recalled from sorrow; but he was unwilling to be consoled. Moreover, many in those days, being very afraid of the king, withdrew into other regions. Some also were removed from the primacy of the dukedom, in whose place others succeeded.

13. De Baddone.

13. On Baddo.

De Baddone, qui in legationem abiens, retentus et post diu dimissus est; et de morbo desenterico.

Concerning Baddo, who, going on a legation, was detained and after a long time was dismissed; and concerning the dysenteric disease.

Guntchramnus vero Baddonem, quem pro crimine maiestates superius vinctum diximus, in praesentia sua venire iussit, et transmissum usque Parisius, ait: 'Si eum cum idoneis hominibus Fredegundis ab hac actione, qua inpetitur, inmunem fecerit, abscedat liber et quo voluerit eat'. Sed veniens Parisius, nullus de parte memoratae mulieris adfuit, qui eum idoneum reddere possit. Tunc vinctus et catenis oneratus, sub ardua custodia ad urbem Cavillonensim reductus est. Sed postea, intercurrentibus nuntiis et praesertim Leudovaldo Baiocassino pontifice, demissus ad propria rediit.

Guntchramnus indeed ordered Baddo—whom we said above had been bound for the crime of majesty (treason)—to come into his presence, and, once sent on as far as Paris, he said: ‘If Fredegund, with suitable men, shall make him immune from this action in which he is impeached, let him depart free and go where he will.’ But coming to Paris, no one from the side of the aforementioned woman was present who could render him suitable (i.e., vouch for him). Then, bound and burdened with chains, under arduous custody he was led back to the city of Chalon. But afterwards, messengers having intervened, and especially Leudovald, the Bayeux pontiff, he was let go and returned to his own home.

Graviter tunc morbus desentericus apud Metensim saeviebat urbem. His diebus nos, dum ad occursum regis properaremus, Wiliulfum civem Pectavum plenum febre, hoc morbo laborantem, in via offendimus, id est ad Remensim urbem. De qua profectus valde exinanitus, cum ad urbem Parisiacam cum filio uxoris suae venisset, apud villam Rigoialinsim, facto testamento, defunctus est.

At that time the dysenteric disease was raging grievously at the city of Metz. In those days, while we were hurrying to meet the king, we came upon Wiliulf, a Pictavian citizen, full of fever and suffering from this disease, on the road, that is, at the city of Reims. Having set out from there, greatly extenuated, when he had come to the Parisian city with his wife’s son, at the villa Rigoialinsis, with a testament made, he passed away.

Puer vero, qui et ipse ab hoc langore tenebatur, obiit; et sic pariter in urbis Pectavae delati termino, tumolati sunt. Uxor quoque ipsius Wiliulfi tertio copulatur viro, filio scilicet Beppolini ducis; qui et ipse duas iam, ut celebre fertur, uxores vivas reliquerat. Erat enim levis adque luxoriosas et, dum nimio ardore fornicationis artaretur ac, relicta coniuge, cum famulabus accubarit, exorrens legitimum conubium, aliud expetebat.

The boy too, who likewise was held by this languor, died; and thus, carried together within the bounds of the city of Poitiers, they were entombed. Wiliulf’s wife also was joined to a third husband, namely the son of Duke Beppolinus; who likewise, as common report bears, had already left two wives alive. For he was light-minded and dissolute, and, while he was straitened by an excessive ardor of fornication and, leaving his spouse, had lain with maidservants, spurning lawful wedlock, he sought something else.

Sic et secundae fecit et huic, cui tertius copolatus est, ignorans, quod corruptio incorruptionem non possedebit.

Thus he did also to the second, and to this one, to whom he was coupled as the third, not knowing that corruption will not possess incorruption.

14. De pace Egidi episcopi et Lupi ducis.

14. On the peace of Bishop Aegidius and Duke Lupus.

Post haec cum Egidius Remensis urbis episcopus de illo crimine maiestates, quo superius memorati perempti sunt, suspectus haberetur, cum magnis muneribus ad Childeberthum accedens, veniam deprecatur, prius tamen sacramenta suscipiens in basilicam sancti Remedii, ne aliquid mali in itinere pateretur. Susceptusque a rege, cum pace discessit. Pacem etiam cum Lupo duce obtenuit, quem instinctu eius de Campaniae ducatu supra memoravimus fuisse depulsum.

After these things, when Egidius, bishop of the city of Reims, was being held suspect on that charge of maiestas—treason—by which those mentioned above were put to death, approaching Childebert with great gifts he begs pardon, first, however, receiving the sacraments in the basilica of Saint Remigius, lest he suffer anything ill on the journey. And received by the king, he departed with peace. He also obtained peace with Duke Lupus, whom, at his instigation, we have mentioned above to have been driven from the duchy of Champagne.

Unde rex Guntchramnus valde in amaritudine excitatus est, eo quod ei promiserit Lupus, numquam se cum eodem pacem facturum, quia fuisset regis cognitus inimicus.

Whereupon King Gunthram was greatly stirred in bitterness, because Lupus had promised him that he would never make peace with that same man, since he had been recognized as an enemy of the king.

15. De conversione Richaredi.

15. On the conversion of Reccared.

Igitur eo tempore in Hispania Richaredus rex, conpunctus miseratione divina, convocatis episcopis relegionis suae, ait: 'Cur inter vos et sacerdotes illus, qui se catholicus dicunt, iugiter scandalum propagatur et, cum illi per fidem suam signa multa ostendant, vos nihil tale agere potestis? Qua de re convenite, quaeso, simul et, discussis utriusque partes credulitatibus, quae vera sunt cognuscamus; et tunc aut accepta illi a vobis ratione ea credant quae dicitis, aut certe vos ab illis veritatem agnuscentes, quae praedicaverint vos credatis'. Quod cum factum fuisset, congregatis utriusque partes episcopis, proposuerunt haeretici illa, quae saepius ab ipsis dicta iam scripsimus. Similiter responderunt episcopi nostrae relegionis ea, de quibus haereticorum partem plerumque victam libris superioribus demonstravimus.

Therefore at that time in Spain King Richared, pricked by divine compassion, having convoked the bishops of his own religion, said: ‘Why is it that between you and the priests of those who call themselves “Catholic” scandal is continually propagated, and, while they display many signs by their faith, you are able to do nothing of the sort? Wherefore, come together, I beg, and, the credulities of each party having been discussed, let us learn which things are true; and then either, an account having been received from you, let them believe what you say, or else you, recognizing the truth from them, believe what they shall have preached.’ And when this had been done, the bishops of both parties having been assembled, the heretics put forward those things which we have already often written as said by them. In like manner the bishops of our religion replied with those matters by which, in the preceding books, we have for the most part shown the party of the heretics to be vanquished.

Et praesertim, cum rex diceret, quod nullum signum sanitatis super infirmus ab hereticorum ostenderetur episcopis, ac in memoriam replicaret, qualiter tempore genitoris sui episcopus, qui se iactabat per fidem non rectam caecis restituere lumen, tacto caeco et caecitate perpetuae damnato, discessisse confusum - quod nos in libro Miraculorum plenius declaravimus - vocavit ad se seorsum sacerdotes Dei. Quibus perscrutatis, cognovit, unum Deum sub distinctione coli personarum trium, id est Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti, nec minorem Filium Patri Spirituique sancto, neque Spiritum sanctum minorem Patri vel Filio, sed in una aequalitate atque omnipotentia hanc Trinitatem verum Deum fateri. Tunc intellegens veritatem Richaredus, postposita altercatione, se catholicae lege subdidit et, acceptum signaculum beatae crucis cum crismatis unctione, credidit Iesum Christum, filium Dei, aequalem Patri cum Spiritu sancto, regnantem in saecula saeculorum.

And especially, since the king declared that no sign of healing upon the sick was shown by the bishops of the heretics, and recalled to memory how in the time of his begetter a bishop, who bragged that by a faith not right he restored light to the blind, having touched a blind man and condemned him to perpetual blindness, departed confounded — which we have more fully declared in the Book of Miracles — he called apart to himself the priests of God. Having examined them, he learned that the one God is worshiped under the distinction of three persons, that is, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that the Son is not lesser than the Father and the Holy Spirit, nor the Holy Spirit lesser than the Father or the Son, but that in one equality and omnipotence this Trinity is confessed to be the true God. Then, understanding the truth, Richared, with altercation set aside, subjected himself to the catholic law and, the seal of the blessed cross with the anointing of chrism having been received, he believed Jesus Christ, the Son of God, equal to the Father with the Holy Spirit, reigning unto the ages of ages.

Amen. Deinde nuntius mittit ad provinciam Narbonensim, qui narrantes ea quae ille gesserat, simile credulitate populus ille conecteretur. Erat ibi tunc temporis Arrianae sectae episcopus Athalocus, qui ita per propositiones vanas ac interpretationes falsas scripturarum aecclesias Dei conturbabat, ut potaretur, quod ipse esset Arrius, quem proiecisse in secessum exta historiograffus narravit Eusebius.

Amen. Then he sends a messenger to the Narbonensian province, who, by recounting the things which he had accomplished, would bind that people together in similar credulity. There was there at that time a bishop of the Arian sect, Athalocus, who so disturbed the churches of God through vain propositions and false interpretations of the Scriptures that it was supposed he himself was Arius, whom the historiographer Eusebius narrated to have cast forth his entrails into a privy.

Sed cum haec populo sectae suae credere non sineret et ad consentiendum ei paucorum faverit adulatio, commotus felle, ingressus in cellolam suam, inclinato super lectulum capite, nequam spiritum exalavit. Sicque hereticorum populus in ipsa consistens provincia inseparabilem Trinitatem confessus, ab errore discessit.

But since he would not allow the people of his sect to believe these things, and only the adulation of a few favored assent to him, stirred with bile, he entered his little cell, and, with his head inclined over his little couch, breathed out his wicked spirit. And thus the people of the heretics, residing in that very province, having confessed the inseparable Trinity, withdrew from error.

16. De legatione ipsius ad reges nostros.

16. On his legation to our kings.

Post haec Richaredus legationem ad Gunthchramnum atque Childeberthum regem direxit pacis gratia, ut scilicet, sicut in fide se adserebat unum, ita et caritate se praestaret unitum. Sed ad Gunthchramno rege repulsi sunt, dicente: 'Qualem mihi fidem promittere possunt aut quemadmodum a me credi debent, qui neptem meam Ingundem in captivitate tradiderunt, et per eorum insidias et vir eius interfectus est, et ipsa in peregrinatione defuncta? Non recipio ergo legationem Richaridi, donec me Deus ulcisci iubeat de his inimicis'. Haec legati audientes, ad Childeberthum proficiscuntur; a quo et in pace suscepti sunt, dicentes: 'Vult se domnus noster, frater tuus, Richaridus, de hoc crimine exuere, quod ei inponitur, quasi in mortem sororis vestrae fuisse conscium; quod aut sacramenta vultis aut qualibet conditione, idoneus reddi potest.

After these things Richared sent a legation to King Gunthchramn and to King Childeberth for the sake of peace, to wit, that, just as in faith he asserted himself one, so also in charity he might show himself united. But by King Gunthchramn they were turned away, he saying: 'What sort of faith can they promise me, or how ought they to be believed by me, who delivered my niece Ingund into captivity, and through their plots both her husband was slain, and she herself died in a foreign land? I do not receive, therefore, the legation of Richared, until God bid me take vengeance upon these enemies.' Hearing these things, the envoys set out to Childeberth; by whom also they were received in peace, saying: 'Our lord, your brother, Richared, wishes to strip himself of this charge which is laid upon him, as though he had been privy to your sister’s death; in which matter, either by the oaths you desire, or on whatever condition, he can be rendered acceptable.'

Deinde, datis gratia vestra decem milibus solidorum, caritatem vestram habere desiderat, ut et ille vestro utatur solatio et vos eius, ubi necesse fuerit, beneficia potiamini'. Haec illis dicentibus, promiserunt Childeberthus rex et mater eius pacem et caritatem cum ipso se integre custodituros. Acceptisque ac datis muneribus, addiderunt legati: 'Iussit etiam dominus noster ponere verbum in auribus vestris de filia sive sorore vestra Chlodosinda, ut ei tradatur in matrimonio, quo facilius pax, quae inter vos promittitur, confirmetur'. Qui dixerunt: 'Promissio nostra ex hoc habile dabitur, sed sine patrui nostri Gunthchramni regis consilio haec facere non audemus. Promissum enim habemus de maioribus causis nihil sine eius consilio agere'. Accepto itaque responso, redierunt.

Then, with your favor, ten thousand solidi being given, he desires to have your charity, that both he may use your solace and you may, wherever it is necessary, partake of his benefits.' As they were saying these things, King Childeberth and his mother promised that they would keep peace and charity with him in full. And with gifts received and given, the envoys added: 'Our lord also ordered us to put a word into your ears about your daughter or sister Chlodosinda, that she be handed over to him in matrimony, whereby the peace which is promised between you may be the more easily confirmed.' They said: 'Our promise in this matter shall be given as fitting, but without the counsel of our uncle King Gunthchramn we do not dare to do these things. For we have promised concerning greater causes to do nothing without his counsel.' The answer therefore having been received, they returned.

17. De exiguetate anni huius.

17. On the exiguity of this year.

Eo anno verno tempore pluviae validae fuerunt, et cum iam vel arbores vel vineae fronduissent, nix decidua cuncta operuit. Subsequente quoque gelu tam palmitis vinearum quam reliqui ostensi fructus incensi sunt. Tantusque rigor fuisse visus est, ut etiam erundines alites, quae de externis regionibus venerant, vi algores extinguerentur.

In that year, in the vernal season, strong rains occurred, and when already either the trees or the vines had put forth leaves, falling snow covered everything. With frost following as well, both the vine-shoots and the rest of the fruit that had shown itself were scorched. And so great a rigor was seen that even the winged swallows, which had come from external regions, were extinguished by the force of the cold.

Illud etiam admirabile fuit, quod, ubi numquam gelu nocuit, tunc omnia abstulit et ibi, ubi consueverat laedere, non accessit.

That also was admirable, that where frost had never harmed, then it carried off everything, and there, where it had been accustomed to injure, it did not approach.

18. De Brittanis et obitu Namati episcopi.

18. On the Britons and the death of Bishop Namatus.

Brittani quoque inruentes in termino Namnitico, praedas egerunt, pervadentes villas et captivus abducentes. Quod cum Guntchramno rege perlatum fuisset, iussit commoveri exercitum, dirigens illuc nuntium, qui eis loqueretur, ut componerent cuncta quae male gesserant, aut certe noverint, se gladio casurus ab exercitu eius. At ille timentes promittunt, se omnia quae male gesserant emendare.

The Britons also, rushing into the Namnetan border, drove off plunder, overrunning the villas and leading away captives. When this had been conveyed to King Guntram, he ordered the army to be set in motion, dispatching a messenger thither to speak to them, that they should set in order all the things they had ill performed, or at least know that he would fall upon them with the sword by means of his army. But they, being afraid, promise to amend everything which they had ill done.

His auditis, rex dirigit illuc legationem, id est Namatium Aurilianinsim et Bertchramnum Cinomanensim episcopum cum comitibus et aliis viris magnificis. Adfuerunt etiam et de regno Chlotharii, Chilperici regis filii, viri magnifici; qui euntes in termino Namnitico, locuti sunt cum Warocho et Vidimacle omnia quae rex praeciperat. At illi dixerunt: 'Scimus et nos, civitates istas Chlotlhrii regis filiis redebere et nos ipsis debere esse subiectus; tamen quae contra rationem gessimus cuncta componere non moramur'. Et datis fideiussoribus adque subscriptis cautionibus, promiserunt, se singula milia solidorum Guntchramno regi et Chlothario in conpositionem daturus, promittentes numquam terminum civitatum illarum ultra adgressurus.

With these things heard, the king dispatches a legation thither, that is, Namatius of Aurelianum and Bertram of the Cenomanni, bishops, with counts and other magnificent men. There were present also from the realm of Chlothar, son of King Chilperic, magnificent men; who, going into the Namnetian border, spoke with Waroch and Vidimacle about everything that the king had enjoined. But they said: 'We too know that these cities ought to be restored to the sons of King Chlothar, and that we ought to be subject to them; nevertheless we do not delay to compose all the things which we have done against reason'. And, sureties having been given and cautions subscribed, they promised that they would give single thousands of solidi to King Guntchramn and to Chlothar as a composition, promising never to attack beyond the border of those cities.

His ita conpositis, regressi sunt reliqui et nuntiaverunt regi quae gesserant. Namatius vero episcopus, dum, receptis villis infra terminum Namneticae urbis, quod olim parentes eius perdiderant, ibidem moraretur, pusulae malae ei tres oriuntur in capite. Ex hoc valde confectus taedio, dum ad civitatem suam reverti cupiret, infra Andegavensis territorii terminum spiritum exalavit.

With these things thus settled, the rest returned and announced to the king what they had carried out. But Bishop Namatius, while, the estates within the boundary of the city of Nantes having been recovered—which his forefathers had once lost—he was staying there, three malignant pustules arose for him on his head. From this, greatly worn out with weariness, while he wished to return to his own city, within the boundary of the territory of Angers he exhaled his spirit.

Corpusculum eius ad urbe sua dilatum, in basilicam sancti Aniani confessores sepultum est. In cuius cathedram Austrinus, Pastores quondam filius, subrogatur. Warocus vero oblitus sacramenti et cautionis suae, omnia postposuit, quae promisit, vineas Namneticorum abstulit et, vindimiam colligens, vinum in Vinitico transtulit.

His little body, carried to his city, was buried in the basilica of Saint Anianus the Confessor. Into whose cathedra Austrinus, the son of the late Pastor, is subrogated. Waroch, however, forgetful of his sacrament and his caution, put aside everything that he had promised, seized the vineyards of the Namnetians, and, gathering the vintage, transferred the wine into Viniticum.

Ex hoc iterum rex Guntchramnus valde furens, exercitum commovere iussit, sed quievit.

From this, King Guntchramnus, again greatly enraged, ordered the army to be set in motion, but he became quiet.

19. De interitu Sichari civis Thoronici.

19. On the death of Sicharius, a citizen of Tours.

Bellum vero illud, quod inter cives Toronicus superius diximus terminatum, in rediviva rursum insania surgit. Nam Sicharius, cum post interfectionem parentum Chramisindi magnam cum eo amicitiam patravisset et in tantum se caritate mutua diligerent, ut plerumque simul cibum caperent ac in uno pariter stratu recumberent, quadam die cenam sub nocturno tempore praeparat Chramisindus, invitans Sicharium ad epulum suum. Quo veniente, resident pariter ad convivium.

But that war which we said above had been terminated among the citizens of Tours rises again in revived madness. For Sicharius, after the killing of Chramisindus’s parents, had wrought a great friendship with him, and they so loved one another with mutual charity that they often took food together and reclined together on one and the same couch; on a certain day Chramisindus prepares a dinner at night-time, inviting Sicharius to his banquet. When he comes, they sit down together to the feast.

Cumque Sicharius crapulatus a vino multa iactaret in Chramisindo, ad extremum dixisse fertur: 'Magnas mihi debes referre grates, o dulcissime frater, eo quod interfecerim parentes tuos, de quibus accepta compositione, aurum argentumque superabundat in domum tuam, et nudus nunc essis et egens, nisi haec te causa paululum roborassit'. Haec ille audiens, amaro suscepit animo dicta Sichario dixitque in corde suo: 'Nisi ulciscar interitum parentum meorum, amittere nomen viri debeo et mulier infirma vocare'. Et statim extinctis luminaribus, caput Sichari seca dividit. Qui parvolam in ipso vitae termino vocem emittens, cecidit et mortuus est. Pueri vero, qui cum eo venerant, dilabuntur.

And when Sicharius, heavy with drink from wine, was flinging many taunts at Chramisindus, at the last he is reported to have said: 'You owe to render great thanks to me, O sweetest brother, for this: that I have slain your parents—on account of whom, a composition having been received, gold and silver overflow into your house—and you would now be naked and needy, had not this cause somewhat strengthened you.' Hearing these things, he took the words with a bitter spirit and said in his heart: 'Unless I avenge the death of my parents, I ought to lose the name of man and be called a feeble woman.' And immediately, the lights having been extinguished, he split Sicharius’s head asunder. He, uttering a very small voice at the very limit of life, fell and died. But the boys who had come with him slip away.

Chramisindus exanimum corpus nudatum vestimentis adpendit in saepis stipite, ascensisque aequitibus eius, ad regem petiit; ingressusque aeclesia, ad pedes prosternitur regis, dicens: 'Vitam peto, o gloriose rex, eo quod occiderim homine, qui, parentes meus clam interfectis, res omnes diripuerunt'. Cumque, expositis per ordinem causis, regina Brunechildis graviter accepisset, eo quod in eius verbo Sicharius positus taliter fuerat interfectus, frendere in eum coepit. At ille, cum vidisset eam adversam sibi, Vosagensim territurii Biturigi pagum expetiit, in quo et eius parentes degebant, eo quod in regno Guntchramni regis haberetur. Tranquilla quoque, coniux Sichari, relictis filiis et rebus viri sui in Toronico sive in Pectavo, ad parentes suos Mauriopes vicum expetiit; ibique et matrimonio copulata est.

Chramisindus hung up the lifeless body, stripped of its garments, on a hedge-stake; and with his horsemen mounted, he made for the king. Entering the church, he prostrates himself at the feet of the king, saying: 'I beg life, O most glorious king, because I have killed the man who, my parents having been secretly slain, plundered all the goods.' And when, the causes having been set forth in order, Queen Brunechildis took it grievously, because Sicharius, placed under her word, had thus been killed, she began to gnash against him. But he, when he saw her adverse to himself, sought out the Vosagian district of the territory of the Bituriges, in which also his parents were dwelling, because it was held in the kingdom of King Guntchramn. Tranquilla likewise, the consort of Sicharius, leaving her sons and her husband’s goods in the Toronic and in the Pectavian, made for her parents’ village Mauriopes; and there she also was joined in matrimony.

Obiit autem Sicharius quasi annorum XX. Fuit autem in vita sua levis, ebriosus, homicida, qui nonnullis per ebrietatem iniuriam intulit. Chramisindus vero iterum ad regem abiit, iudicatumque est ei, ut convinceret super se eum interfecisse. Quod ita fecit.

But Sicharius died at about 20 years of age. He was in his life of levity, ebrious, a homicide, who through ebriety inflicted injury on several. But Chramisindus went again to the king, and it was adjudged to him that he should convict himself of having killed him. Which he thus did.

Sed quoniam, ut diximus, regina Brunechildis in verbo suo posuerat Sicharium, ideoque res huius confiscari praecepit; sed in posterum a Flaviano domestico redditae sunt. Sed et ad Aginum properans, epistolam eius elicuit, ut a nullo contingeretur. Ipsi enim res eius a regina concessae fuerant.

But since, as we have said, Queen Brunechildis had placed Sicharius under her word, and therefore ordered his property to be confiscated; yet afterward it was returned by Flavianus the Domestic. And also, hastening to Agen, he obtained a letter from her that he should not be touched by anyone; for to him the property of Sicharius had been granted by the queen.

20. De eo, quod ad Gunthchramno directi sumus.

20. Concerning the fact that we were sent to Gunthchramn.

De eo, quod ad Gunthchramno regem in legatione pro custodienda pace directi sumus.

On the matter that we were directed to King Gunthchramn in a legation for safeguarding peace.

Eo anno quoque tertio decimo regis Childeberthi, cum ad occursum eius usque Metensim urbem properassemus, iussi sumus ad Gunthchramnum regem in legationem accedere. Quem apud urbem Cavillonensim repperimus, dicentes: 'Salutem uberrimam mittit tibi gloriosissimus nepus tuus Childeberthus, o inclite rex, inmensas referens gratias pietate tuae, quod ad te iugiter commonetur, ut ea agat, quae et Deo placeant et tibi sint accepta et populo congrua. De his vero quae locuti simul fuistis omnia inplere promittit, nec quicquam se de pactionibus, quae inter vos conscriptae sunt, inrumpere pollicetur'. Et rex ad haec ait: 'Non similiter ego gratias ago, quod taliter inrumpitur, quod mihi promissum est.

In that year also, the 13th of King Childebert, when we had hastened as far as the city of Metz for his meeting, we were ordered to approach King Guntram on a legation. Whom we found at the city of Chalon, saying: 'Your most glorious nephew Childebert sends to you the most abundant greeting, O renowned king, rendering immense thanks to your pietas, because he is continually reminded by you to do those things which both are pleasing to God and acceptable to you and suitable to the people. And as to those things which you have spoken together, he promises to fulfill all, and he pledges that he will in no way violate the pactions which have been written between you'. And the king to these things said: 'I do not in like manner give thanks, because that which has been promised to me is thus being broken.

Pars mea de urbe Silvanectensi non redditur; homines, quos pro utilitate mea, quia mihi infensi erant, migrare volui, non permiserunt. Et quomodo dicetis, quod nihil de pactionibus scriptis transcendere vult dulcissimus nepus meus? Et nos ad haec: 'Nihil vult contra pactiones agere illas, sed omnia inplere promittit, ita ut de praesenti, si ad divisionem Silvanectensim vis mittere, nec tardetur; statim enim recipies tuum.

My portion from the city of Silvanectum is not returned; the men, whom for my utility, since they were hostile to me, I wished to cause to migrate, they did not permit. And how will you say that my sweetest nephew wishes to transcend nothing of the written pactions? And we to this: 'He wishes to do nothing against those pactions, but he promises to fulfill all, such that forthwith, if you wish to send to the Silvanectensian division, let there be no delay; for immediately you will receive what is yours.'

De hominibus vero, quos dicitis, nomina scripta tradantur, et omnia quae promissa sunt implebuntur'. Haec nobis loquentibus, pactionem ipsam relegi rex coram adstantibus iubet. Exemplar pactionis . Cum in Christo nomen praecellentissimi domni Gunthchramnus et Childebertus regis vel gloriosissima domna Brunechildis regina Andelao caritates studio convenissent, ut omnia, quae undecumque inter ipsis scandalum poterat generare, pleniori consilio definirent, id inter eos, mediantibus sacerdotibus atque proceribus, Deo medio, caritates studio sedit, placuit atque convenit, ut, quamdiu eos Deus omnipotens in praesenti saeculo superesse voluerit, fidem et caritatem puram et simplicem sibi debeant conservare. Similiter, quia domnus Gunthchramnus iuxta pactionem, quam cum bonae memoriae domno Sigybertho inierat, integram portionem, quae de rigno Chariberthi ille fuerat consecutus, sibi diceret in integrum redebere et pars domni Childeberthi ea quae pater suus possiderat ad se vellit ex omnibus revocare, id inter ipsus constat fixa deliberatione finitum, ut illam tertiam portionem de Parisius civitatem cum terminibus et populo suo, quae ad domnum Sigyberthum de regno Chariberthi conscripta pactione pervenerat, cum castellis Duno vel Vindocino et quicquid de pago Stampinse vel Carnotino in pervio illo antefatus rex cum terminibus et populo suo perciperat, in iure et dominatione domni Gunthchramni cum id, quod superstite domno Sigybertho de regnodus Chariberthi antea tenuit, debeant perpetualiter permanere.

As to the men, moreover, whom you mention, let the written names be handed over, and all the things that have been promised will be fulfilled.' While we were saying these things, the king orders that the pact itself be reread before those standing by. Copy of the pact . When in the name of Christ the most preeminent lord Gunthchramn and King Childebert and the most glorious lady Brunechild, queen, at Andelot had come together by zeal of charity, in order that, with fuller counsel, they might define all the things which from anywhere could generate scandal between them, this was set among them, the priests and the nobles mediating, God in the midst, by zeal of charity; it pleased and it was agreed, that, as long as Almighty God should will them to survive in the present age, they ought to preserve for one another pure and simple faith and charity. Likewise, since lord Gunthchramn, according to the pact which he had entered with lord Sigyberth of good memory, said that the entire portion which that man had obtained from the kingdom of Charibert ought to be restored to him in full, and the party of lord Childebert wishes to call back to himself from all quarters those things which his father had possessed, it is established between them, concluded by fixed deliberation, that that third portion of the city of Paris with its boundaries and its people, which had come to lord Sigyberth by a written pact from the kingdom of Charibert, together with the strongholds of Duno and Vindocinum, and whatever in that tract from the pagus Stampensis or Carnotinus the aforesaid king had received with its boundaries and its people, in the right and dominion of lord Gunthchramn, along with that which, while lord Sigyberth was still alive, he previously held from the kingdom of Charibert, ought to remain perpetually.

Pari conditione civitatis Mel, et duas portiones de Silvanectis, Thoronus, Pectavis, Abrincatis, Vico Iuli-Consorannis, Lapurdo et Albige domnus Childeberthus rex cum terminibus a praesenti die suae vindicit potestate. Ea igitur conditione servata, ut, quem Deus de ipsis regibus suprestitem esse praeciperit, regnum illius, qui absque filiis de praesentis saeculi luce migraverit, ad se in integritate iure perpetuo debeat revocare et posteris suis, Domino auxiliante, relinquere, illud specialiter placuit per omnia inviolabiliter conservari, ut, quicquid domnus Gunthchramnus rex filiae suae Chlothiheldae contulit aut adhuc, Deo propitiante, contulerit, in omnibus rebus adque corporibus, tam civitatis quam agri vel rediti, in iure et dominatione ipsius debeant permanere. Et si quid de agris fiscalibus vel speciebus atque praesidio pro arbitrii sui voluntate facere aut cuiquam conferre voluerit, in perpetuo, auxiliante Domino, conservetur neque a quocumque ullo umquam tempore convellatur, et sub tuitione ac defensione domni Childeberthi cum ea omnia, quae ipsam transitus genitoris sui inveniret possedentem, sub omni honore et dignitate secura debeat possedere.

By an equal condition the civitas of Mel, and two portions of Silvanectis, Thoronus, Pectavis, Abrincatis, Vico Iuli-Consorannis, Lapurdo and Albige the lord King Childeberthus, with their boundaries, from the present day vindicates to his own power. Therefore that condition being observed, that whichever of these kings God shall command to be the surviving one, he ought, in integrity and by perpetual right, to recall to himself the kingdom of him who, without sons, shall have migrated from the light of this present age, and, with the Lord aiding, to leave it to his posterity; it especially pleased that this be preserved through all things inviolably, that whatever the lord King Gunthchramnus has conferred upon his daughter Chlothihelda, or shall yet, God being propitious, confer, in all goods and corporeal properties, both of civitas and of field or revenue, ought to remain in her right and dominion. And if he shall wish, according to the will of his own arbitrium, to do anything or to confer anything upon anyone from the fiscal fields or valuables and the garrison, let it, the Lord aiding, be preserved in perpetuity, nor be torn away by anyone at any time; and under the tutelage and defense of the lord Childeberthus she ought to possess securely, with all honor and dignity, together with this, all the things which the passing of her begetter would find her possessing.

Pari conditione repromittit domnus Gunthchramnus rex, ut, si, ut habet humana fragilitas, quod divina pietas non permittat nec ille videre desiderat, si contigerit domnum Childeberthum eo suprestite de hac luce migrari, filius suos Theodoberthum et Theodoricum reges, vel si adhuc alios ipsi Deus dare voluerit, ut pius pater sub sua tuitione et defensione recipiat, ita ut regnum patris eorum sub omni soliditate possedeant; et genetricem domni Childeberthi, domnam Brunichildem reginam, vel filiam eius Chlodosuindam, germanam domni Childeberthi regis, quamdiu intra regionem Francorum fuerit, vel eius reginam Faileubam tamquam sororem bonam et filias in sua tuitione et defensione spiritali dilectione recipiat, et sub omni honore et dignitate cum omnibus rebus earum, cum civitatibus, agris, reditibus vel cunctis titulis et omne corpore facultatis, tam quod praesenti videntur tempore possedere quam quod adhuc Christo praesole iuste potuerint augmentare, sub omni securitate et quiete possedeant, ut, si quid de agris fiscalibus vel speciebus atque praesidio pro arbitrii sui voluntate facere aut cuiquam conferre voluerint, fixa stabilitate in perpetuo conservetur, nec a quibuscumque voluntas illarum ullo tempore convellatur. De civitatibus vero, hoc est Burdegala, Lemovecas, Cadurcus, Benarno et Begorra, quae Gailesuinda, germana domnae Brunichilde, tam in dote quam in morganegyba, hoc est matutinale donum, in Francia veniens certum est adquisisse, quas etiam per iudicium gloriosissimi domni Gunthchramni regis vel Francorum, superstitibus Chilpericum et Sigyberthum regem, domna Brunichildis noscitur adquisisse, ita convenit, ut Cadurcus civitatem cum terminibus et cuncto populo suo domna Brunichildes de praesenti in sua proprietate percipiat, reliquas vero civitates ex hac conditione superius nominatas domnus Gunthchramnus, dum advivit, possedeat, ita ut quandoquidem post eius transitum in dominatione domnae Brunichilde heredumque suorum cum omni soliditate Deo propitio revertantur nec superstite domno Gunthchramno neque a domnam Brunechildem neque a filio suo Childeberthum regem filiisque suis quolibet ingenio vel tempore repetantur. Similes modo convenit, ut Silvanectis domnus Childeberthus in integritate teneat, et quantum tertia domni Gunthchramni exinde debita conpetit, de tertiam domni Childeberthi, quae est in Rosontinse, domni Gunthchramni partibus conpensetur.

Under an equal condition Lord King Gunthchramn promises in return, that, if—as human fragility has it, which divine piety would not permit, nor does he desire to see it—it should happen that Lord Childeberth, with him surviving, depart from this light, he shall receive his sons Theudeberth and Theuderic, kings, or, if God should be willing still to give him others, as a pious father under his protection and defense, so that they may possess their father’s kingdom in all solidity; and he shall receive under his protection and defense with spiritual affection the mother of Lord Childeberth, Lady Brunichild the queen, and his daughter Chlodosuinda, sister of Lord King Childeberth, as long as she shall be within the region of the Franks, and his queen Faileuba as a good sister and as daughters, and they shall possess under all honor and dignity, with all their goods, with cities, fields, revenues and all titles and the whole body of estate, both what they seem at the present time to possess and what, with Christ presiding, they might still be able justly to augment, under all security and quiet, to the end that, if they should wish, according to the will of their own judgment, to do anything or to confer anything upon anyone from fiscal lands or goods and safeguard, it be preserved with fixed stability in perpetuity, nor at any time be torn from their will by anyone. Concerning the cities, that is Burdegala, Lemovecas, Cadurcus, Benarno, and Begorra, which Gailswintha, sister of Lady Brunichild, is certain to have acquired both in dowry and in morganegyba, that is, the morning-gift, upon coming into Francia, which also, by the judgment of the most glorious Lord King Gunthchramn and of the Franks, with Chilperic and King Sigyberth surviving, Lady Brunichild is known to have acquired, thus it is agreed: that the city of Cadurcus with its boundaries and all its people Lady Brunichild shall from the present receive into her own property; but the remaining cities named above under this condition Lord Gunthchramn, while he lives, shall possess, so that, when after his passing they return, God propitious, into the lordship of Lady Brunichild and of her heirs with all solidity, they are not, while Lord Gunthchramn survives, to be demanded back by Lady Brunechild nor by her son King Childeberth and his sons by any device or at any time. In like manner it is agreed that Lord Childeberth shall hold Silvanectis in integrity, and as much as the third part of Lord Gunthchramn owed therefrom is fitting, let it be compensated to Lord Gunthchramn’s share from the third of Lord Childeberth, which is in Rosontinse.

Similiter convenit, ut secundum pactionis inter domnum Gunthchramnum et bonae memoriae domnum Sigyberthum initas leudes illi, qui domnum Gunthchramnum post transitum domni Chlothari sacramenta primitus praebuerunt, et, si postea convincuntur se in parte alia tradidisse, de locis ubi conmanere videntur convenit ut debeant removeri. Similiter et qui post transitum domni Chlothari convincuntur domnum Sigyberthum sacramenta primitus praebuisse et se in alia parte transtulerunt, modo simile removantur. Similiter quicquid antefati regis eclesiabus aut fidelibus suis contulerunt aut adhuc conferre cum iustitiam Deo propitiante voluerint, stabiliter conservetur.

Similarly it is agreed that, according to the pact concluded between lord Gunthchramnus and lord Sigyberthus of good memory, those leudes (retainers) who, after the passing of lord Chlothar, first tendered oaths to lord Gunthchramnus, and, if afterwards they are proven to have delivered themselves to the other party, are to be removed from the places where they appear to dwell. Likewise, those who after the passing of lord Chlothar are proven to have first tendered oaths to lord Sigyberthus and have transferred themselves to the other side, now likewise let them be removed. Likewise, whatever the aforesaid kings have conferred upon churches or upon their faithful, or shall still wish to confer, God being propitious, in accordance with justice, let it be steadfastly preserved.

Et quicquid unicuique fidelium in utriusque regno per legem et iustitiam redebetur, nullum praeiudicium patiatur, sed liceat res debetas possedere atque recipere; et si aliquid cuicumque per interregna sine culpa tultum est, audientia habita, restauretur. Et de id, quod per munificentias praecedentium regum unusquisque usque transitum gloriosae memoriae domni Chlothari regis possedit, cum securitate possedeat. Et quod exinde fidelibus personis ablatum est, de praesenti recipiat.

And whatever to each one of the faithful in the realms of both is owed by law and justice, let it suffer no prejudice, but let it be permitted to possess and to receive the due things; and if anything to anyone during the interregna has been taken without fault, with a hearing held, let it be restored. And as to that which by the munificences of the preceding kings each one possessed up to the passing of lord Chlothar, king of glorious memory, let him possess it with security. And what therefrom has been taken from faithful persons, let him receive forthwith.

Et quia inter praefatus regis pura et simplex est in Dei nomen concordia inligata, convenit, ut in utroque regno utriusque fidelibus, tam pro causis publicis quam privatis quicumque voluerit ambulare, pervium nullis temporibus denegetur. Similiter convenit, ut nullus alterius leudis nec sollicitet nec venientes excipiat. Quod si forsitan pro aliqua admissione partem alteram crediderit expetenda, iuxta qualitate culpae excusati reddantur.

And because between the aforesaid kings a pure and simple concord is bound in the name of God, it is agreed that, in both kingdoms, to the leudes of each, as much for public as for private causes, whoever may wish to travel, passage be denied at no times. Likewise it is agreed that no one either solicit another’s leudes or receive those coming. But if perchance, on account of some admission, he shall think the other party ought to be sought, let them be rendered excused according to the quality of the fault.

Hoc etiam huic addi placuit pactione, ut, si qua pars praesentia statuta sub quacumque calliditate tempore quocumque transcenderet, omnia benificia tam repromissa quam in praesenti conlata amittat, et illi proficiat, qui inviolabiliter omnia suprascripta servaverit; et sit de sacramentorum obligatione in omnibus absoluta. His itaque omnibus definitis, iurant partes per Dei omnipotentes nomen et inseparabilem Trinitatem vel divina omnia ac tremendum diem iudicii, se omnia quae superius scripta sunt absque ullo dolo malo vel fraudis ingenio inviolabiliter servaturus. Facta pactio sub die IIII.

It also pleased to add this to the pact, that, if any party should at any time transgress the present statutes under whatever craftiness, it shall lose all benefices both re‑promised and conferred in the present, and let it accrue to him who shall have inviolably kept all the aforesaid; and let him be in all things absolved from the obligation of the oaths. With all these things thus determined, the parties swear by the name of God Almighty and the inseparable Trinity and all divine things and the tremendous Day of Judgment, that they will inviolably keep all that is written above without any evil deceit or contrivance of fraud. The pact was made on the 4th day.

Kal. Decembris, anno XXVI. regnum domni Gunthchramni regis, domni Childeberti vero XII.

Kalends of December, in the 26th year. The reign of lord King Gunthchramn, but of lord Childebert indeed the 12th.

anno. Lectis igitur pactionibus, ait rex: 'Iudicio Dei ferear, si de his quicquam transcendero, quae hic contenentur'. Et conversus ad Filicem, qui tunc nobiscum legatus advenerat, ait: 'Dic, o Filex, iam enim plenissime conexuistis amicitias inter sororem meam Brunichildem et inimicam Dei atque hominum Fredegundem?' Quo negante, ego dixi: 'Non dubitet rex, quia illae amicitiae inter easdem costodiuntur, quae ante hos annus plurimus sunt legati. Nam certe scias, quia odium, quod inter illas olim statutum est, adhuc pullulat, non arescit.

in the year. Therefore, with the pactions read, the king said: 'May I be borne to the judgment of God, if I shall have overstepped in anything those things which are contained here.' And turning to Felix, who at that time had come with us as legate, he said: 'Speak, O Felix, have you now most fully knit friendships between my sister Brunichild and Fredegund, the enemy of God and of men?' When he denied it, I said: 'Let not the king doubt, because those friendships between the same are being kept which many years before these were negotiated by envoys. For be very sure that the hatred which was once established between them still sprouts; it does not wither.'

Utinam tu, o rex gloriosissime, minus cum eam caritatem haberes! Nam, ut saepe cognovimus, dignius eius legationem quam nostram excepis'. Et ille: 'Scias', inquid, 'sacerdus Dei, quia sic eius legatione suscipio, ut caritatem nepotis mei Childeberthi regis non omittam. Nam ibi amicitias legare non possum, de qua saepius processerunt, qui mihi vitam praesentem auferrent'. Haec eo dicente, Filex ait: 'Pervenisse ad gloriam vestram credo, quod Richaredus legationem ad nepotem vestrum direxit, qui neptem vestram Chlodosuindam, filiam fratris vestri, ei in matrimonio postolaret.

'Would that you, O most glorious king, had less affection for her! For, as we have often come to know, you have received her legation more worthily than ours.' And he: 'Know, priest of God, that I so receive her legation as not to omit the affection of my grandson, King Childebert. For there I cannot bind friendships, from which there have often proceeded those who would take away my present life.' As he was saying these things, Filex said: 'I believe it has come to your glory that Richared directed a legation to your nephew, who was requesting your niece Chlodosuinda, the daughter of your brother, for him in marriage.'

Sed ille absque vestro consilio nihil exinde promittere voluit'. Rex ait: 'Non est optimum enim, ut illuc neptes mea ambulet, quo soror sua est interfecta. Sed nec illud rationabiliter conplacet, ut non ulciscatur mors neptis meae Ingunde'. Filex respondit: ''Multum se exinde excusare volunt aut sacramentis aut quibuslibet aliis conditionibus iusseritis; tantum vos consensum praebete, ut ei Chlodosuinda, sicut postulat, disponsetur'. Rex ait: 'Si enim nepus meus implet, quae in pactionibus conscribi voluit, et ego de his facio voluntatem eius'. Promittentibus nobis, eum omnia impleturum, adiecit Filex: 'Deprecatur etiam pietatem vestram, ut ei solacium contra Langobardus tribuatis, qualiter expulsi de Italia, pars illa, quam genitur suus vindicavit vivens, ad eum revertatur, reliqua vero pars per vestrum suumque solacium imperatoris dicionibus restituatur'. Respondit rex: 'Non', inquid, 'possum in Italiam exercitum meum dirigere, ut ultro eos morti tradam. Gravissima enim lues Italiam nunc devastat'. Et ego: 'Indecastis enim nepoti vestro, ut omnes regni sui episcopi in unum convenirent, quia multa sunt, quae debeant indegare.

But he did not wish to promise anything therefrom without your counsel'. The king said: 'It is not best, indeed, that my niece should go thither where her sister was slain. Nor does this reasonably please, that the death of my niece Ingundis not be avenged'. Felix replied: ''They wish to excuse themselves much thereupon, either by oaths or by whatever other conditions you shall order; only you give your consent, that Chlodosuinda be betrothed to him, as he requests'. The king said: 'If indeed my nephew fulfills what he wished to be written in the pactions, I also will do his will in these matters'. We promising that he would fulfill all things, Felix added: 'He also beseeches your piety that you grant him aid against the Langobards, so that, with them expelled from Italy, that part which his begetter, his father, claimed while living may return to him, but the remaining part, through your and his aid, be restored to the emperor’s dominions'. The king replied: 'No', he said, 'I cannot direct my army into Italy to deliver them of my own accord to death. For a most grievous pestilence now devastates Italy'. And I: 'Do you indeed enjoin upon your nephew, that all the bishops of his kingdom should come together into one, because there are many things which they ought to investigate.

Sed iuxta consuetudinem canonum placebat gloriosissimo nepoti vestro, ut unusquisque metropolis cum provincialibus suis coniungeret et tunc, quae inrationabiliter in regione propria fiebant, sanctione sacerdotali emendarentur. Quae enim causa extat, ut in unum tanta multitudo conveniat? Aeclesiae fides periculo ullo non quatitur; heresis nova non surgit.

But according to the custom of the canons, it pleased your most glorious grandson that each metropolitan should join with his provincials, and then the things which were being done irrationally in his own region should be amended by sacerdotal sanction. For what cause exists that so great a multitude should convene into one? The Church’s faith is not shaken by any peril; no new heresy arises.

Quae erit ista necessitas, ut tanti debeant in unum coniungi domni sacerdotes?' Et ille: 'Sunt multa', inquid, 'quae debeant discerni, quae iniuste gesta sunt, tam de incestis quam de ipsis quae inter nos aguntur causis. Sed praecipue illa Dei causa extat omnibus maior, ut inquerere debeatis, cur Praetextatus episcopus gladio in aeclesia fuerit interemptus. Sed et de his, qui pro luxoriam accusantur, debet esse discussio, ut aut victi sanctione sacerdotali debeant emendari aut certe, si innocentes inveniuntur, publice error criminis auferatur'. Tunc iussit, ut in Kalendis mensis IIII.

'What will that necessity be, that so many lords the priests ought to be joined into one?' And he: 'There are many,' said he, 'things which ought to be discerned, things which have been done unjustly, both concerning incestuous unions and concerning the cases themselves which are conducted among us. But chiefly that cause of God stands forth greater than all, that you ought to inquire why Bishop Praetextatus was slain by the sword in the church. But also concerning those who are accused for luxury (lust), there ought to be an investigation, so that either, if convicted, they ought to be corrected by priestly sanction, or certainly, if they are found innocent, the error of the charge be removed publicly.' Then he ordered that on the Kalends of the 4th month.

haec sinodus prolongaretur. Et his dictis, ad aeclesiam processimus; erat enim dies illa dominicae resurrectionis solempnitas. Dictis igitur missis convivio nos adscivit, quod fuit non minus oneratum in fercolis quam laetitia opulentum.

that this synod be prolonged. And with these things said, we proceeded to the church; for that day was the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection. With the masses said, therefore, he summoned us to a banquet, which was no less burdened with courses than opulent in joy.

Semper enim rex de Deo, de aedificationem aeclesiarum, de defensionem pauperum sermonem habens, ridebat interdum, spiritali ioco delectans, addens etiam, unde et nos aliquid laetitiae frueremur. Dicebat enim et haec verba: 'Utinam mihi nepus meus promissa costodiat! Omnia enim quae habeo eius sunt.

For the king was always having discourse about God, about the edification of churches, about the defense of the poor; he would laugh sometimes, delighting in spiritual jest, adding also things from which even we might enjoy something of joy. For he also used to say these words: 'Would that my grandson keep the promises for me! For all the things that I have are his.'

Tamen si eum scandalizat illud, quod legatus Chlothari nepotis mei suscipio, numquid demens sum, ut non possim temperare inter eos, ne scandalum propagetur? Novi enim eum magis incidere quam in longius promulgare. Dabo enim Chlothario, si eum nepotem meum esse cognovero, aut duas aut tres in parte aliqua civitatis, ut nec hic videatur exheredari de regno meo, nec huic inquietudinem praeparent, quae isti reliquero'. His et aliis locutus, dulci nos affectu fovens ac muneribus onerans, discedere iobet, mandans, ut ea semper Childebertho regi insinuentur, quae vitae eius comoda fiant.

Nevertheless, if that offends him, that I receive the legate of Chlothar, my nephew, am I in any way out of my mind, that I cannot temper between them, lest the scandal be propagated? For I know how rather to cut it short than to promulgate it farther. For I will give to Chlothar, if I shall have recognized him to be my nephew, either two or three in some part of the civitas, so that neither this one may seem to be disinherited from my realm, nor may they prepare unrest for this one in those things which I shall have left to him'. Having spoken these and other things, fostering us with sweet affection and loading us with gifts, he bids us depart, instructing that those things always be insinuated to King Childebert which may become benefits to his life.

21. De elymosinis et bonitate ipsius regis.

21. On alms and the goodness of the king himself.

Ipse autem rex, ut saepe diximus, in elymosinis magnus, in vigiliis atque ieiuniis prumptus erat. Nam tunc ferebatur, Masiliam a luae inguinaria valde vastare et hunc morbum usque ad Lugdunensim vicum Octavum nomine fuisse caeleriter propalatum. Sed rex acsi bonus sacerdus providens remedia, qua cicatrices peccatoris vulgi mederentur, iussit omnem populum ad eclesiam convenire et rogationes summa cum devotione celebrare et nihil aliud in usu vescendi nisi panem ordeacium cum aqua munda adsumi, vigiliisque adesse instanter omnes iobet.

But the king himself, as we have often said, was great in alms, prompt in vigils and fastings. For it was then reported that Massilia was being very greatly ravaged by an inguinal plague, and that this disease had been quickly made known as far as the Lugdunensian vicus named Octavum. But the king, as if a good priest, foreseeing remedies by which the scars of the sinful common crowd might be healed, ordered all the people to come together to the church and to celebrate the Rogations with the highest devotion, and that nothing else in the use of eating be taken except barley-bread with clean water; and he urgently bids all to be present at the vigils.

Quod eo tempore ita gestum est. Per triduum enim ipsius elimosinis largius solito praecurrentibus, ita de cuncto populo formidabat, ut iam tunc non rex tantum, sed etiam sacerdus Domini putaretur, totam spem suam in Domini miseratione transfundens et in ipso iactans cogitationes, quae ei superveniebant, a quo eas effectui tradi tota fidei integritate putabat. Nam caelebre tunc a fidelibus ferebatur, quod mulier quaedam, cuius filius quartano tibo gravabatur et in strato anxius decubabat, accessit inter turbas populi usque ad tergum regis, abruptisque clam regalis indumenti fimbriis, in aqua posuit filioque bibendum dedit; statimque, restincta febre, sanatus est.

Which at that time was so carried out. For during three days, his alms, more lavish than usual and going on ahead, he was so regarded with awe by the whole people, that even then he was thought not only a king but also a priest of the Lord, transfusing all his hope into the Lord’s compassion and casting upon him the thoughts which came upon him, by whom, with the entire integrity of faith, he believed they would be delivered to effect. For it was then celebrated among the faithful that a certain woman, whose son was burdened with a quartan ague and lay anxious on his pallet, came amid the throngs of the people up to the back of the king, and, secretly tearing off the fringes of the royal garment, she put them in water and gave it to her son to drink; and immediately, the fever quenched, he was healed.

Quod non habetur a me dubium, cum ego ipse saepius larvas inergia famulante nomen eius invocantes audieram ac criminum propriorum gesta, virtute ipsius discernente, fatere.

Which is not held doubtful by me, since I myself had often heard the larvae, with energy serving as a handmaid, invoking his name and, his virtue discerning, confessing the deeds of their own crimes.

22. De luae Massiliensis urbis.

22. On the plague of the city of Massilia.

Nam superius diximus, Massiliensis urbis contagio pessimo aegrota quanta sustenuerit, altius replecare placuit. His enim diebus Theodorus episcopus ad regem abierat, quasi aliquid contra Nicetium patricium suggesturus. Sed cum a rege Childeberto minime de hac causa fuisset auditus, ad propria redire disposuit.

For we said above how much the ailing city of Massilia had endured from a most wicked contagion; it pleased us to reexamine this more deeply. For in those days Bishop Theodorus had gone to the king, as if about to suggest something against Nicetius the patrician. But since he had not at all been heard by King Childebert on this matter, he resolved to return to his own places.

Interea navis ab Hispania una cum negutio solito ad portum eius adpulsa est, qui huius morbi fomitem secum nequiter deferebat. De qua cum multi civium diversa mercarentur, una confestim domus, in qua octo animae erant, hoc contagio interfectis habitatoribus, relicta est vacua. Nec statim hoc incendium lues per domus spargitur totas; sed, interrupto certi temporis spatio ac velut in segetem flamma accensa, urbem totam morbi incendio conflagravit.

Meanwhile a ship from Spain, together with the customary commerce, put in to its port, which wickedly was carrying with it the fomite of this disease. From which, as many of the citizens were buying diverse wares, one house at once, in which there were eight souls, the inhabitants having been slain by this contagion, was left empty. Nor is the plague straightway scattered like this blaze through whole houses; but, an interval of fixed time having intervened, and as a flame kindled in a grain-field, it conflagrated the whole city with the fire of the disease.

Episcopus tamen urbis accessit ad locum et se infra basilicae sancti Victoris saepta contenuit cum paucis, qui tunc cum ipso remanserant, ibique per totam urbis stragem orationibus ac vigiliis vacans, Domini misericordiam exorabat, ut tandem cessante interitu populo liceret in pace quiescere. Cessit vero haec plaga valde minsibus duobus, cumque iam securus populus redisset ad urbem, iterum succedente morbo, qui redierant sunt defuncti. Sed et multis vicibus deinceps ab hoc interitu gravata est.

Nevertheless the bishop of the city approached the place and confined himself within the enclosures of the basilica of Saint Victor with the few who then had remained with him; and there, amid the whole ravaging of the city, giving himself to orations and vigils, he besought the Lord’s mercy, that at length, with the perishing ceasing, it might be permitted the people to rest in peace. This plague indeed abated greatly for two months; and when the people, now secure, had returned to the city, the disease succeeding again, those who had returned died. And on many occasions thereafter it too was weighed down by this destruction.

23. De obitu Agerici episcopi et successore eius.

23. On the death of Bishop Ageric and his successor.

Agericus vero Veredunensis episcopus, cum ex illo diuturnae amaritudinis felle graviter aegrotaret, pro eo quod Gunthramnus Boso, pro quo fideiussor exteterat, interfectus essit, vel etiam addita amaritudine, quod Berthefredus infra oraturium domus eclesiasticae fuerit interfectus, et praesertim cum ipsus Gunthramni filius secum retenens cotidie flerit, dicens: 'In meo vos odio orfani relicti estis', - his accensus, ut diximus, causis, fellis amaritudine adgravatus et maxime inedia consumtus, diem obiit adpositusque est in sepulchro. Bucciovaldus quoque abba eius pro episcopatum concurrit, sed nihil obtenuit. Charimerem enim refrendarium cum consenso civium regalis decrevit auctoritas fieri sacerdotem, Bucciovaldo abbate postposito.

But Agericus, bishop of Verdun, when from that gall of long-lasting bitterness he was grievously ill, on account of the fact that Gunthramnus Boso, for whom he had stood as surety, had been slain, and even with bitterness added, that Berthefred was killed within the oratory of the house of the church, and especially since, keeping with him the very son of this Gunthramnus, he was weeping daily, saying: 'In my hatred you have been left orphans', - inflamed, as we have said, by these causes, weighed down by the bitterness of gall and especially consumed by lack of food, he met his day and was laid in the tomb. Bucciovaldus too, his abbot, contended for the episcopate, but obtained nothing. For the royal authority, with the consent of the citizens, decreed that Charimer, the referendary, be made bishop, with Abbot Bucciovald set aside.

Ferebant enim hunc esse superbum, et ob hoc a nonnullis Buccus validus vocitabatur. Obiit autem et Licerius Arelatensis episcopus; in cuius eclesia Virgilius abba Agustidunensis, opitulante Siagrio episcopo, substitutus est.

For they were saying that he was proud, and on this account by some he was nicknamed “Buccus the Strong.” Moreover, Licerius, bishop of Arles, also died; and in his church Virgilius, abbot of Augustodunum (Autun), with Bishop Siagrius assisting, was appointed in his stead.

24. De episcopatu Fronimi.

24. On the episcopate of Fronimus.

Obiit autem et Deotherius Vinciensis episcopus; in cuius locum Fronimius subrogatus est. Hic autem Fronimius Biturigae urbis incola fuit; sed causa nescio qua in Septimaniam abiit ac post mortem Athanaeldi regis a Leuvane, successore eius, magnifice est receptus adque in urbe Agathensi episcopus ordinatus est. Sed post mortem Leuvanis cum Leuvieldus in illa hereticae pravitatis perfidia crassaretur et Ingundis, filia Sigiberti regis, cui supra meminimus, in Hispaniam ad matrimonium duceretur, audivit Leuvieldus, quasi hic episcopus ei consilium dedisset, ut numquam se veneno hereticae credulitatis debent admiscere, et ob hoc semper ei molestus iniuriarum laqueos intendebat, quousque eum ab episcopato deiecerit.

Moreover Deotherius, bishop of Vence, also died; in whose place Fronimius was appointed. Now this Fronimius was an inhabitant of the city of Biturigae; but for some reason unknown he went into Septimania, and after the death of King Athanaeldus he was magnificently received by Leuvane, his successor, and in the city of Agde he was ordained bishop. But after the death of Leuvanis, when Leuvieldus was swelling in that perfidy of heretical depravity, and Ingundis, daughter of King Sigibert, whom we mentioned above, was being led into Spain for marriage, Leuvieldus heard that this bishop had, as it were, given her the counsel that she ought never to mingle herself with the poison of heretical credulity; and on this account he was always vexatious to him, setting snares of outrages for him, until he deposed him from the episcopate.

Cumque non inveniret, quibus eum muscipulis possit innectere, ad extremum emisit, qui eum gladio deberet adpetere. Quod ille per internuntius cognuscens, relicta urbe Agathensi in Galliis advenit, ibique a multis episcopis receptus ac muneratus, ad Childebertum regem pertransiit. Sicque patefactum loco, apud supradictam urbem potestatem pontificalem nono deiectiones suae anno, rege largiente, suscepit.

And when he could not find by what mousetraps he might ensnare him, at last he sent out one who should assail him with the sword. Learning this through intermediaries, he left the city of Agde and arrived in Gaul, and there, received by many bishops and honored with gifts, he passed on to King Childebert. And thus, the place laid open, at the aforesaid city he assumed the pontifical authority in the 9th year of his deposition, by the king’s granting.

Brittani eo anno graviter terraturium Namneticum Redonicumque praedae subiecerunt, vindimiantes vineas, culturas devastantes ac populum villarum abducentes captivum, nihilque de promissis superioribus costodientes, et non solum non costodientes promissa, verum etiam detrahentes regibus nostris.

That year the Bretons gravely subjected the Namnetan and Redonian territory to prey, vintaging the vineyards, devastating the cultivations, and leading off the people of the villages captive, keeping nothing of the earlier promises, and not only not keeping the promises, but even detracting from our kings.

25. Quod exercitus Childeberthi in Italia abiit.

25. That the army of Childebert went into Italy.

Igitur Childebertus rex cum petentibus Langobardis sororem suam regi eorum esse coniugem, acceptis muneribus, promisisset, advenientibus Gothorum legatis ipsam, eo quod gentem illam ad fidem catholicam conversam fuisse cognoscerit, repromisit ac legationem ad imperatorem direxit, ut, quod prius non fecerat, nunc contra Langobardorum gentem debellans, cum eius consilio eos ab Italia removerit. Nihilominus et exercitum suum ad regionem ipsam capessendam direxit. Commotis ducibus cum exercitum illic abeuntibus, confligunt pariter.

Therefore King Childebert, when the Langobards were requesting that his sister be the consort of their king, having received gifts, had promised it; but when envoys of the Goths arrived, he re-promised her to them, because he had learned that that people had been converted to the Catholic faith, and he sent a legation to the emperor, so that, what he had not done before, now, warring down the nation of the Langobards, with his counsel he might remove them from Italy. Nonetheless he also directed his army to take up that very region. With the dukes stirred up and the army going thither, they clash together.

Sed nostris valde caesis, multi prostrati, nonnulli capti, plurimi etiam per fugam lapsi, vix patriae redierunt. Tantaque ibi fuit stragis de Francorum exercitu, ut olim simile non recolatur.

But with our men very heavily cut down, many laid low, some taken captive, and very many too slipping away in flight, they scarcely returned to the fatherland. And so great a slaughter there was of the army of the Franks that a similar thing is not recalled of old.

26. De obitu Ingobergae reginae.

26. On the death of Queen Ingoberga.

Anno quoque quarto decimo Childeberthi regis Ingoberga regina, Chariberthi quondam relicta, migravit a saeculo, mulier valde cauta ac vitae relegiosae praedita, vigiliis et orationibus atque elymosinis non ignava. Quae, credo, per providentiam Dei commonita ad me usque nuntios dirigens, ut in his, quae de voluntate sua, id est pro animae remedium, cogitabat, adiutur exsisterem, - sic tamen, ut ad ipsam accedens, quae, consilio habito, fieri decernebat, scriptura conecterit, - accessi, fateor, vidi hominem timentem Deum. Qui cum me benigne excepisset, notarium vocat, et habito, ut dixi, mecum consilio, quaedam aeclesiae Toronicae vel basilicae sancti Martini, quaedam Caenomannicae aeclesiae deligavit.

In the fourteenth year also of King Childebert the queen Ingoberga, once the widow of Charibert, departed from this world, a woman very cautious and endowed with a religious life, not idle in vigils and prayers and alms. Who, I believe, admonished by the providence of God, sending messengers even to me, that in those things which she was considering concerning her will, that is, for the remedy of her soul, I might be a helper, - so, however, that, by approaching her, she would bind by writing the things which, counsel having been taken, she determined to be done, - I approached; I confess, I saw a person fearing God. Who, when she had kindly received me, calls a notary, and, counsel having been held with me, as I said, she bequeathed certain things to the church of Tours and the basilica of Saint Martin, certain things to the Cenomannic church.

Ac post paucus mensis subitania aegritudine fatigata, migravit a saeculo, multus per chartolas liberus derelinquens, septuagisimo, ut arbitror vitae anno, relinquens filiam unicam, quam in Canthia regis cuiusdam filius matrimonio copulavit.

And after a few months, wearied by a sudden sickness, she passed from the world, leaving many made free by charters, in (as I reckon) the seventieth year of life, leaving an only daughter, whom in Kent the son of a certain king joined in matrimony.

27. De obitu Amalonis.

27. On the death of Amalon.

Amalo quoque dux, dum coniugem in alia villa pro exercenda utilitate dirigit, in amorem puellolae cuiusdam ingenuae ruit. Et facta nocte, crapulatus a vino, misit puerus, ut detrahentes puellolam eam toro eius adscirent. Illa quoque repugnante et violenter in eius mansione deducta, dum ea alapis caedunt, sanguinis unda ex narium meatibus decurrente perfunditur.

Amalo too, the duke, while he sent his wife into another villa to manage affairs, plunged into love for a certain freeborn young maiden. And when night had come, crapulous with wine, he sent boys to, dragging down the young girl, bring her to his bed. She too, resisting, and violently led into his mansion, while they strike her with slaps, is drenched by a wave of blood running down from the passages of her nostrils.

Unde factum est, ut ipse quoque stratus ducis antedicti hoc rivo cruentaretur. Quam et ipse pugnis, colaphis aliisque ictibus verberatam ulna suscepit, et statim oppressus somno dormire coepit. At illa, extensa manu trans capud viri, gladium repperit; quo evaginato, capud ducis ac velud Iudith Olofernis ictu virili libravit.

Whence it came about that the bedding of the aforesaid duke too was bloodied by this rivulet. Her, beaten with fists, cuffs and other blows, he himself took up in his arm, and immediately, overpowered by sleep, began to slumber. But she, with her hand stretched across the man’s head, found a sword; which, once unsheathed, she swung to take off the duke’s head, even as Judith [did] Holofernes, with a virile stroke.

Illo quoque voces emittente, concurrunt famuli. Quam cum interficere vellent, exclamavit ille, dicens: 'Ne faciatis, quaeso. Ego enim peccavi, qui vim castitati inferre conatus sum.

As he too was sending forth cries, the servants run together. When they wished to kill her, he cried out, saying: 'Do not do it, I beg. For I have sinned, who attempted to inflict violence upon chastity.'

Nam haec, qui pudicitiam studuit conservare, omnino non pereat'. Haec dicens, spiritum exalavit. Cumque super eum familia coniuncta lamentaret, adiutorio Dei eruta puella domum egreditur et per noctem Cavillonensim urbem adiit, quae est sita ab eo loco quasi milia XXXV, ibique basilica sancti Marcelli ingressa, regis prostrata pedibus, cuncta quae pertulerat pandit. Tunc rex misericordissimus non solum ei vitam donavit, verum etiam praeceptionem tribui iussit, ut, in verbo suo posita, a nullo umquam parentum defuncti illius in aliquo molestiam pateretur.

‘For this one, who strove to preserve pudicity, must by no means perish.’ Saying these things, he exhaled his spirit. And while over him the household, gathered together, was lamenting, with the help of God the girl, rescued, goes out from the house and by night approached the Cavillonensian city, which is situated from that place at about 35 miles; and there, having entered the basilica of Saint Marcellus, prostrate at the king’s feet, she lays open all that she had endured. Then the most merciful king not only granted her life, but also ordered a precept to be bestowed, that, relying on his word, she should never suffer annoyance in any respect from any of the kinsmen of that deceased man.

Verumtamen hoc, Deo praestante, cognovimus, quod puellae castitas non est a dereptore saevo ullatinus violata.

Nevertheless, this, with God providing, we have learned: that the girl’s chastity was not at all violated by the savage ravisher.

28. De speciebus, quas Brunichildis regina transmisit.

28. On the kinds of goods which Queen Brunichildis sent.

Brunechildis quoque regina iussit fabricari ex auro ac gemmis mirae magnitudinis clipeum ipsumque cum duabus pateris ligneis, quas vulgo bacchinon vocant, eisdemque similiter ex gemmis fabricatis et auro, in Hispania regi mittit; in qua re Ebregysilum, qui saepe ad ipsam regionem legationis gratia accesserat, direxit. Quo abeunte, nuntiatum est regi Gunthchramno, dicente quodam, quia Brunechildis regina ad filius Gundovaldi munera dirigit. Quod rex audiens, iussit costodias arduas per vias regni sui fieri, ita ut nullus paenitus praeterire possit, qui non discuteretur.

Queen Brunechildis likewise ordered to be fabricated out of gold and gems a shield of wondrous magnitude, and this together with two wooden bowls, which in the vernacular they call “bacchinon,” and these likewise ornamented similarly with gems and gold, she sends to the king in Spain; in which matter she dispatched Ebregysilus, who had often gone to that region for the sake of an embassy. As he was departing, it was announced to King Gunthchramn, someone saying that Queen Brunechildis is directing gifts to the son of Gundovald. Hearing this, the king ordered strict watches to be made along the roads of his kingdom, so that no one at all could pass who would not be searched.

Inquirebant etiam in hominum vel vestimentis vel calciamentis aut in reliquis rebus, si occultae litterae portarentur. Ebregysilus vero Parisius accedens cum his speciebus, ab Ebrecharium duce conprehensus, ad Gunthchramnum deducitur. Dixitque ei rex: 'Non sufficit, o infilicissime hominum, quod inpudico consilio Ballomerem illum, quem Gundovaldum vocitatis, ad coniugium arcessistis, quem manus mea subegit, qui voluit ditioni suae regni nostri superare potentiam; et nunc filiis eius munera mittitis, ut ipsus iterum in Galliis provocetis ad iugulandum?

They were also inquiring in people’s clothing or footwear or in the remaining things, whether hidden letters were being carried. Ebregysilus, moreover, approaching Paris with these wares, having been apprehended by Duke Ebrecharius, is led to Gunthchramn. And the king said to him: 'Is it not enough, O most unlucky of men, that by an impudent counsel you summoned to marriage that Ballomer, whom you call Gundovald, whom my hand subdued, who wished the power of our kingdom to be overborne by his dominion; and now you send gifts to his sons, that you may provoke him himself again in Gaul to slaughter?'

Ideoque non accedis, quo volueris, sed morte morieris, quia contraria est legatio tua genti nostrae'. Illo quoque recusante, non se his verbis esse communem, sed potius ad Richaredum, qui Chlodosuindam, sororem Childeberthi regis, sponsare debuerat, haec munera mitti, crededit rex loquenti et dimisit eum; abiitque in itinere quo directus fuit cum ipsis muneribus.

‘And therefore you do not go where you have wished, but by death you shall die, because your embassy is contrary to our people.’ When he, for his part, also refused, saying that he was not a party to these words, but rather that these gifts were being sent to Reccared, who ought to have espoused Chlodosuind, sister of King Childebert, the king believed the speaker and dismissed him; and he went away on the journey to which he had been directed with those gifts.

29. Quod Langobardi pacem ad Childeberthum regem petierunt.

29. That the Langobards sought peace from King Childebert.

Igitur Childeberthus rex, invitante Sigymundo Momotiacensis oppidi sacerdote, die paschae ad supradictam caelebrari statuit urbem. Graviter tunc Theudoberthus, filius eius senior, gulae adflictus tumore laboravit, sed convaluit. Interea Childeberthus rex exercitum commovit et Italiam ad debellandam Langobardorum gentem cum isdem pergere parat.

Therefore King Childeberthus, with Sigymund, priest of the town of Momotiacum, inviting him, decided that on Easter day the celebration be held in the aforesaid city. At that time Theudoberthus, his elder son, suffered grievously, afflicted with a swelling of the gullet, but he recovered. Meanwhile King Childeberthus set the army in motion and prepares to proceed with the same to Italy to subdue the nation of the Langobards.

Sed Langobardi, his auditis, legatus cum muneribus mittunt, dicentes: 'Sit amicitia inter nos, et non pereamus ac dissolvamus certum ditioni tuae tributum. Ac ubicumque necessarium contra inimicus fuerit, ferre auxilium non pegebit'. Haec Childeberthus rex audiens, ad Gunthchramnum regem legatus dirigit, qui ea quae ab his offerebantur in eius auribus intimaret. Sed ille non obvius de hac coniventia, consilium ad confirmandam pacem praebuit.

But the Langobards, on hearing this, send an envoy with gifts, saying: 'Let there be amity between us, and let us not perish, and let us discharge a fixed tribute to your dominion. And wherever it shall be necessary against enemies, it will not be irksome to bring aid.' Hearing these things, King Childeberth sends envoys to King Gunthchramn, to intimate in his ears what was being proffered by them. But he, not averse to this accommodation, offered counsel for confirming the peace.

Childeberthus vero rex iussit exercitum in loco resedere misitque legatus ad Langobardus, ut, si haec quae promiserant confirmabant, exercitus reverteretur ad propria. Sed minime est inpletum.

But King Childeberthus ordered the army to remain in place and sent a legate to the Langobards, that, if they confirmed these things which they had promised, the army would return to its own places. But it was in no way fulfilled.

30. De discriptoribus urbis Pectavae atque Thoronicae.

30. On the assessors of the city of Poitiers and of Tours.

Childeberthus vero rex discriptores in Pectavo, invitante Maroveo episcopo, iussit abire, id est Florentianum maiorem domus reginae et Romulfum palatii sui comitem, ut scilicet populus censum, quem tempore patris reddiderat, facta ratione, innovata re, reddere deberet. Multi enim ex his defuncti fuerant, et ob hoc viduis orfanisque ac debilibus tributi pondus insiderat. Quod hi discutientes per ordinem, relaxantes pauperes ac infirmus, illos quos iustitiae conditio tributarius dabat censo publico subdiderunt.

King Childebert, at the invitation of Bishop Maroveus, ordered the discriptors to go to Pectavum, that is, Florentianus, the queen’s major-domo, and Romulfus, count of his palace, so that the people, an account having been made and the matter renewed, should pay the census which they had rendered in the time of his father. For many of these had died, and on this account the weight of the tribute had settled upon widows, orphans, and the weak. These men, examining it in order, releasing the poor and the infirm, subjected to the public census those whom the condition of justice declared tributary.

Et sic Toronus sunt delati. Sed cum populis tributariam functionem infligere vellent, dicentes, quia librum prae manibus haberent, qualiter sub anteriorum regum tempore dissolvissent, respondimus nos, dicentes: 'Discriptam urbem Toronicam Chlothari regis tempore, manifestum esse, librique illi ad regis praesentiam abierunt; sed, conpuncto per timorem sancti Martini antestitis rege, incensi sunt. Post mortem vero Chlothari regis Charibertho rege populus hic sacramentum dedit; similiter etiam et ille cum iuramento promisit, ut leges consuetudinesque novas populo non infligeret, sed in illo, quo quondam sub patris dominationem statu vixerant, in ipso hic eos deinceps retenere; neque ullam novam ordinationem se inflicturum super eos, quod pertinent ad spolium, spopondit.

And thus they were conveyed to Tours. But when they wished to inflict upon the peoples a tributary exaction, saying that they had a book before their hands showing how they had paid in the time of earlier kings, we answered, saying: 'It is manifest that the city of Tours was surveyed in the time of King Chlothar, and those books went to the king’s presence; but, the king being compunct by fear of Saint Martin the pontiff, they were burned. After the death of King Chlothar, with King Charibert, this people gave an oath; likewise he too promised with an oath that he would not inflict new laws and customs upon the people, but would henceforth keep them here in that very status in which once they had lived under his father’s dominion; and he pledged that he would inflict no new ordinance upon them as regards that which pertains to spoliation.'

Gaiso vero comes eiusdem temporis, accepto capitulario, quem anteriores scriptores fecisse commemoravimus, tributa coepit exegere. Sed ab Eofronio episcopo prohibitus, cum exacta parvitate ad regis direxit praesentiam, ostendens capitularium, in quo tributa continebantur. Sed rex ingemiscens ac metuens virtutem sancti Martini, ipsum incendio tradedit; aureus exactus basilicae sancti Martini remisit, obtestans, ut nullus de populo Toronico ullum tributum publico redderit.

Gaiso, however, a count of that same time, having received the capitulary which we have recalled that earlier writers had made, began to exact tributes. But, being prohibited by Bishop Eofronius, after a small amount had been exacted he made his way to the king’s presence, showing the capitulary in which the tributes were contained. But the king, groaning and fearing the virtue of Saint Martin, consigned it to the flames; the gold that had been exacted he sent back to the basilica of Saint Martin, adjuring that no one of the people of Tours should render any tribute to the public treasury.

Post cuius obitum Sigyberthus rex hanc urbem tenuit nec ullius tributi pondus invexit. Sic et nunc XIIII. anno Childeberthus post patris obitum regnans, nihil exegit, nec ullo tributi onere haec urbs adgravatas congemuit.

After whose death King Sigyberthus held this city and brought in no weight of tribute. So also now, in the 14. year, Childeberthus, reigning after his father’s death, exacted nothing, nor did this city groan as aggravated by any burden of tribute.

Nunc autem potestatis vestrae est, utrum censeatis tributum, an non; sed vidite, ne aliquid noceatis, si contra eius sacramentum ambulare disponitis'. Haec me dicente, responderunt: 'Ecce librum prae manibus habemus, in quo census huic populo est inflictus'. Et ego aio: 'Liber hic a regis thesauro delatus non est nec umquam per tot convaluit annus. Non est mirum enim, si pro inimicitiis horum civium in cuiuscumque domo reservatus est. Iudicavit enim Deus super eos, qui pro spoliis civium nostrorum hunc post tanti temporis transacto spatio protulerunt'. Dum autem haec agerentur, Audini filius, qui librum ipsum protulerat, ipsa die a febre correptus, die tertia expiravit.

Now, however, it is within your power whether you deem a tribute, or not; but see to it, that you do no harm, if you plan to walk contrary to his sacrament.' As I was saying these things, they answered: 'Behold, we have a book at hand, in which a census has been inflicted upon this people.' And I say: 'This book has not been brought from the king’s treasury, nor has it ever gained force through so many years. For it is no wonder, if, on account of the enmities of these citizens, it has been kept in whosoever’s house. For God has judged upon those who, for the spoils of our citizens, have brought this forth after so long a lapse of time.' But while these things were being transacted, the son of Audinus, who had produced this very book, on that very day was seized by a fever, and on the third day expired.

Post haec nos transmisimus nuntios ad regem, ut, quid de hac causa iuberit, mandata remitteret. Sed protinus epistulam cum auctoritate miserunt, ne populus Toronicus pro reverentia sancti Martini discriberetur. Quibus relictis, statim viri, qui ad haec missi fuerant, ad patriam sunt regressi.

After these things we sent messengers to the king, so that he might send back mandates as to what he would order concerning this matter. But immediately they sent an epistle with authority, that the people of Tours, out of reverence for Saint Martin, should not be assessed. These having been left, at once the men who had been sent for this returned to their fatherland.

31. Quod Guntchramnus rex exercitum in Septimania direxit.

31. That King Guntchramnus directed an army into Septimania.

Gunthchramnus vero rex exercitum commovit in Septimaniam. Austrovaldus autem dux prius Carcasonam accedens, sacramenta susciperat ipsosque populos ditioni subegerat regiae. Rex autem ad reliquas civitatis capiendas Bosonem cum Antestio distinat.

But King Gunthchramn set the army in motion into Septimania. Austrovald, however, the duke, first approaching Carcassonne, had received the oaths and had subjected those peoples to the royal dominion. The king, moreover, for the taking of the remaining cities, appoints Boso with Antestius.

Qui accedens cum superbia, dispecto Austrovaldo duce atque condemnato, cur absque eo Carcasonam ingredi praesumpsisset, ipse cum Sanctonicis, Petrocoricis Burdegalensibusque, Agennensibus etiam ac Tolosanis illuc direxit. Cumque in hac iactantia ferretur et Gothis haec nuntiata fuissent, paraverunt se in insidiis. Hic vero super fluvium parvolum, propinquum urbi, castra ponit, epulis insedit, aebrietatibus incumbit, convitiis et blasphemiis Gothus exaggerans.

Who, approaching with arrogance, with Austrovald the duke despised and condemned because he had presumed to enter Carcassonne without him, he himself directed thither with the Saintonians, the Petrocoricans and the Burdigalians, and with the Agennensians too and the Tolosans. And when he was carried along in this vaunting and these things had been announced to the Goths, they prepared themselves in ambuscade. Here indeed, upon a very small river near the city, he pitches camp, sits down to banquets, bends to drunkenness, heaping up contumelies and blasphemies against the Goths.

Illique inruentes super ipsos, reperierunt epulantes inopinantesque. Tunc hi dantes voces, exsurgunt contra eos. At ille paulolum resistentes, fugam simulant.

And they, rushing upon them, found them banqueting and unsuspecting. Then these, giving out cries, rise up against them. But they, resisting a little, feign flight.

Prosequentibusque istis, consurgunt qui praeparati erant de insidiis, concludentesque eos in medium, usque ad internitionem caeciderunt. Qui autem evadere potuerunt, vix, equite ascensu, per fugam delapsi sunt, omnem supellectilem relinquentes in campi planitiae nihilque secum de rebus propriis auferentes, hoc pro magno ducentes, si vel vitae donarentur. Insequentes autem Gothi res eorum omnes repperierunt diripieruntque, pedestris omnes captivos abducentes.

And as these were pursuing, those who had been prepared from ambush rose up, and, enclosing them in the midst, cut them down to extermination. But those who were able to escape, with difficulty, mounting horseback, slipped away in flight, leaving all their equipment on the level plain of the field and carrying nothing with them of their own belongings, counting it a great thing if they were at least granted life. The Goths, however, pursuing, found all their goods and plundered them, abducting all the foot-soldiers as captives.

Caecideruntque ibi quasi quinque milia virorum, captivi autem amplius quam duo milia habierunt; multi tamen ab his laxati, redierunt in patriam.

And there fell there about five thousand men, and as captives they had more than two thousand; many, however, loosed by them, returned to their fatherland.

32. De inimicitia inter Childeberthum et Guntchramnum.

32. On the enmity between Childebert and Guntram.

Commotus autem rex vias claudi per regnum suum praecepit, ne ullus de Childeberthi regno per eius regni territurium pervium possit habere, dicens, quia: 'Per niquitiam eius, qui cum regi Hispaniae foedus iniit, exercitus conruit meus, et ut se non subdant urbis illae dicione meae, eius hoc immissio facit'. Addita est etiam huic causae aliud amaretudinis incendium, quod Childeberthus rex filium suum seniorem Theudoberthum nomine Sessonas dirigere cogitabat; quae res suspicionem fecerat Gunthchramno rege, dicente eo, quia: 'In hoc filium suum nepus meus Sessonas dirigit, ut Parisius ingredi faciat regnumque meum auferre cupiat'. Quod numquam Childeberthus vel in cogitatione, si dici fas est, habere potuit. Multa autem et in Brunichildem regina oppropria iactabat, dicens, eius consilio haec fieri, addens etiam, quod Gundovaldi quondam filium invitatum coniugio copulare vellit; unde etiam synodum episcoporum in Kalendas Novembris congregare praecepit. Multique de extremis partibus Galliarum ad hoc conventum properantes de via regressi sunt, pro eo quod Brunichildis regina se ab hoc crimini exuit sacramentis; et sic viis iterum reseratis, pervium patificit volentibus ad regem Childeberthum accedere.

But the king, being moved, ordered the roads to be closed throughout his kingdom, lest anyone from Childeberth’s realm could have a pervious way through the territory of his kingdom, saying, namely: 'Through his iniquity, he who entered a foedus with the king of Spain, my army has collapsed; and as for those cities not submitting themselves to my dominion, this his instigation brings it about'. To this cause there was also added another conflagration of bitterness, that King Childeberth was considering to send his elder son, by name Theudoberth, to Soissons; which matter had caused suspicion for King Gunthchramn, he saying, namely: 'In this my nephew sends his son to Soissons, so that he may make him enter Paris and desire to take away my kingdom'. Which thing Childeberth could never have, even in thought, if it be lawful to say. Moreover he was hurling many reproaches also against Queen Brunichild, saying that these things were being done by her counsel, adding too that she wished to couple in marriage the one-time son of Gundovald, as an invited suitor; whence also he ordered a synod of bishops to be congregated on the Kalends of November. And many from the farthest parts of the Gauls, hastening to this assembly, turned back from the road, for the reason that Queen Brunichild exonerated herself from this crime by oaths; and thus, the roads being opened again, he made passage manifest for those wishing to approach King Childeberth.

33. Quod Ingitrudis relegiosa ad Childeberthum abiit.

33. That Ingitrudis, a religious woman, went to Childeberth.

Quod Ingitrudis relegiosa ad Childeberthum abiit contra filiam suggestura.

That Ingitrudis, a religious woman, went to Childebert to bring a charge against her daughter.

His diebus Ingytrudis, quae monasterium in atrio sancti Martini statuerat, ad regem quasi filiam accusatura processit; in quo monastirium Berthefledis, filia quondam Chariberthi regis, resedebat. Sed ista egrediente, haec in Cinomannico est regressa. Erat enim gulae et somno dedita et nullam de officio Dei curam habens.

In these days Ingytrudis, who had established a monastery in the atrium of Saint Martin, went forth to the king, as if about to accuse her daughter; in which monastery Berthefled, daughter of the late King Charibert, was residing. But as the former was going out, the latter returned into the Cenomannic region. For she was devoted to gluttony and to sleep, and had no care for the office of God.

Negutium vero Ingytrudis et filiae eius altius repetendum puto. Igitur ante hos annos cum Ingitrudis monastirium puellarum infra atrium sancti Martini, ut diximus, collocare coepisset, filiae suae mandata mittit, dicens: 'Relinque virum tuum et veni, ut faciam te abbatissam gregi huic, quem congregavi'. At illa, audito levitatis consilio, cum viro Toronus advenit; ingressaque monastirio matris, dicebat viro: 'Regredere hinc et guberna res liberosque nostros, nam ego non revertar tecum. Non enim videbit regnum Dei coniugio copulatus'. Ille vero ad me veniens, nontiavit mihi omnia, quae a coniuge audierat.

But I think the business of Ingytrudis and her daughter must be taken up from farther back. Accordingly, some years before, when Ingytrudis had begun to establish, as we have said, a monastery of girls within the atrium of Saint Martin, she sends mandates to her daughter, saying: 'Leave your husband and come, that I may make you abbess to this flock which I have gathered'. But she, having heard this counsel of levity, came with her husband to Tours; and having entered her mother’s monastery, she kept saying to her husband: 'Go back from here and govern our affairs and our children, for I will not return with you. For one coupled in marriage will not see the kingdom of God'. But he, coming to me, notified me of all that he had heard from his spouse.

Tunc ego accedens ad monastirium, canonum Nicenum decreta relegi, in quibus contenetur, quia: Si quis reliquerit virum et torum, in quo bene vixit, spreverit, dicens, quia non sit ei portio in illa caelestis regni gloria, qui fuerit coniugio copulatus, anathema sit. Quibus auditis, Berthegundis metuens, ne a sacerdotibus Dei communione privaretur, egressa monastirio, rediit cum viro suo. Interpositis autem tribus vel quattuor annis, iterum mandata mittit ad eam mater eius, depraecans eam ad se accedere.

Then I, approaching the monastery, reread the decrees of the Nicene canons, in which it is contained, that: If anyone has left her husband and has spurned the marriage-bed in which she lived well, saying that there is no portion for one who has been coupled in conjugal union in that glory of the heavenly kingdom, let her be anathema. Hearing these things, Berthegundis, fearing lest she be deprived of communion by the priests of God, went out from the monastery and returned with her husband. However, with three or four years interposed, again her mother sends mandates to her, beseeching her to come to her.

Ad illa, honeratis navibus, tam de rebus propriis quam viri sui, adsumpto secum uno filio, viro absenti, Toronus est adpulsa. Sed cum a matre propter inprobitatem viri retenere non possit, scilicit ne calumniam, quae eius dolo fabricata fuerat, exciperit, ad Berthchramnum, germanum eius, filium videlicet suum, Burdigalinsis urbis episcopum, eam direxit. Prosequenti igitur viro eius dicebat, quia: 'Sine consilio parentum eam coniugio copolasti; non erit uxor tua'. Erant enim iam fere XXX anni, ex quo coniuncti pariter fuerant.

At that, with ships laden, both with her own property and her husband’s, taking with her one son, with her husband absent, she made landfall at Tours. But since by her mother she could not be retained on account of the husband’s improbity—namely, lest she incur the calumny which had been fabricated by his deceit—she sent her to Berthchramnus, her brother-german, namely her own son, bishop of the city of Bordeaux. To her husband, therefore, who was following, she said: “Without the counsel of parents you coupled her in marriage; she will not be your wife.” For it was now almost 30 years since they had been joined together.

Adiit enim vir eius plerumque urbem Burdigalinsim, sed noluit eam episcopus restituere. Cum autem rex Guntchramnus ad Aurilianensim urbem, sicut in superiorem librum memoravimus, advenisset, ibi eum acrius hic vir inpugnare verbis coepit, dicens: 'Abstulisti uxorem meam cum famulis eius. Et ecce!

For her husband indeed very often went to the city of Bordeaux, but the bishop was unwilling to restore her. But when King Guntchramn had come to the city of Orléans, as we have recalled in the previous book, there this man began to assail him more sharply with words, saying: 'You have taken away my wife with her servants. And behold!'

quod sacerdotem non decit, tu cum ancillis meis, et illa cum famulis tuis, dedecus adulterii perpetrasti'. Tunc furore commotus rex, adstrinxit episcopum, ut polliceretur eam reddere viro suo, dicens, quia: 'Parens mea haec est; si quicquam mali exercuit in domum viri sui, ego ulciscar; sin aliud, cur sub omni deformitate redactus vir, coniux eius aufertur?' Tunc Bertechramnus episcopus pollicitus est, dicens: 'Venit ad me, fateor, soror, mea post multorum annorum curricula, quam pro caritatis ac desiderii studio tenui mecum, ut libuit. Nunc autem recessit a me; requirat nunc eam revocetque quo voluerit, me obvium non habebit'. Et haec dicens, misit clam nuntius ad eam, mandans, ut, veste mutata ac penetentiam accepta, in basilica sancti Martini expeterit. Quod facere illa non distulit.

'which does not befit a priest: you with my maidservants, and she with your servants, have perpetrated the disgrace of adultery.' Then the king, stirred to fury, constrained the bishop to promise to return her to her husband, saying: 'This is my kinswoman; if she has practiced anything evil against her husband’s house, I will avenge it; but if otherwise, why, the husband reduced under every disgrace, is his spouse taken away?' Then Bertechramnus the bishop promised, saying: 'She came to me, I confess, my sister, after the lapses of many years, whom for the sake of charity and longing I kept with me as it pleased. Now, however, she has departed from me; let him seek her now and recall her wherever he wishes—he will not find me in the way.' And saying this, he secretly sent messengers to her, ordering that, with clothing changed and penance accepted, she should seek refuge in the basilica of Saint Martin. She did not delay to do this.

Venitque vir eius cum multis insequentis viris, ut eam ex ipso loco sancto eiecerit. Erat enim in veste relegiosa, adserens, se accepisse paenetentiam; sed virum sequi dispexit. Interea defuncto apud Burdigalinsim urbem Bertechramno episcopo, haec ad se reversa, ait: 'Vae mihi, quae audivi consilio matris meae iniquae.

And her husband came with many men following, that he might cast her out from that very holy place. For she was in religious attire, asserting that she had received penitence; but she scorned to follow her husband. Meanwhile, with Bishop Bertechramnus having died at the city of Bordeaux, she, returning to herself, said: 'Woe is me, that I listened to the counsel of my iniquitous mother.'

Ecce! frater meus obiit; ecce! a viro derelicta sum, a filiis separata; et quo ibo infilex, vel quid faciam?' Tunc, habito consilio, Pectavum pergit; voluitque eam mater retenere secum, sed penitus non potuit.

Behold! my brother has died; behold! I am abandoned by my husband, separated from my sons; and where shall I go, wretched one, or what shall I do? Then, counsel having been taken, she proceeds to Poitiers; and her mother wished to retain her with herself, but utterly could not.

Ex hoc inimicitia orta, dum saepius regis praesentiam adeunt, et haec res patris defensare cupiens, haec viri, Berthegundis donationem Berthechramni germani sui ostendit, dicens, quia: 'Haec et haec germanus meus mihi contulit'. Sed mater eius non admittens donationem, omnia sibi vindicare cupiens, misit, qui, effractam domum eius, omnes res illius cum hac donationem diriperit; unde se ipsam genetrix reddedit conprobatam, cum de rebus ipsis in sequenti filiae quaedam repetenti districta restituit. Sed cum, saepius ego vel frater noster Maroveus episcopus acceptis regalibus epistulis, ut eas pacificare deberemus, Berthegundis advenit Toronus, in iudicio quoque accedens, coegimus eam, in quantum potuimus, rationem sequi; mater vero eius flecti non potuit. Tunc accensa felle, ad regem abiit, quasi filiam exhereditatura de facultate paterna.

From this enmity arose, as they more frequently approached the king’s presence; and this one, wishing to defend her father’s affair, that one her husband’s, Bertegundis displayed the donation of Bertechramnus, her brother-german, saying: “This and that my brother conferred upon me.” But her mother, not admitting the donation, wishing to vindicate everything for herself, sent those who, having broken open her house, plundered all her goods together with this donation; whence the mother rendered herself proven, since, when certain of these very goods were afterwards being demanded by the daughter, she restored them under strict compulsion. But when I, or our brother Bishop Maroveus, having received royal letters that we ought to pacify them, Bertegundis came to Tours, and, also approaching into judgment, we compelled her, in so far as we could, to follow reason; but her mother could not be bent. Then, kindled with gall, she went to the king, as though about to disinherit her daughter from the paternal estate.

Tunc in praesentiam regis exponens causas, filia absente, iudicatum est ei, ut, quartam partem filiae restitutam, tres cum nepotibus suis, quos de filio uno habebat, reciperet. In qua causa Theutharius presbiter, qui nuper, ex referendario Sigyberthi regis conversus, praesbiterii honorem accepit, accessit, ut hanc divisionem iuxta regis imperium celebraret. Sed, resistente filia, nec divisio facta nec scandalum resedatum est.

Then, setting forth the causes in the presence of the king, with the daughter absent, it was adjudged to her that, the fourth part being restored to the daughter, she should receive the other three together with her grandsons, whom she had from one son. In this case Theutharius the presbyter, who recently, transformed from the referendary of King Sigibert, had received the honor of the presbyterate, came forward to solemnize this division according to the king’s command. But, the daughter resisting, neither was the division made nor was the scandal settled.

34. De inimicitiis Fredegundis cum filia sua.

34. On the enmities of Fredegund with her daughter.

Rigundis autem filia Chilperici, cum saepius matri calumnias inferret diceritque, se esse dominam, genetricemque suam servitio redeberit, et multis eam et crebro convitiis lacesserit ac interdum pugnis se alapisque caederent, ait ad eam mater: 'Quid mihi molesta es, filia? Ecce res patris tui, quae penes me habentur, accipe et utere ut libet'. Et ingressa in registo, reseravit arcam monilibus ornamentisque praetiosis refertam. De qua cum diutissime res diversas extrahens filiae adstanti porregeret, ait ad eam: 'Iam enim lassata sum; inmitte tu', inquid, 'manum et eiece, quod inveneris'. Cumque illa, inmisso brachio, res de arca abstraheret, adpraehenso mater operturio arcae, super cervicem eius inlisit.

But Rigundis, daughter of Chilperic, since she often brought calumnies against her mother and would say that she herself was the mistress, and would render her genetrix into servitude, and assailed her with many and frequent revilings, and at times they would beat each other with fists and slaps, the mother said to her: 'Why are you troublesome to me, daughter? Behold the goods of your father, which are kept with me; take and use them as you please.' And having gone into the strongroom, she unlocked a chest crammed with necklaces and precious ornaments. From which, as she, for a very long time, drawing out various things, was handing them to her daughter standing by, she said to her: 'For I am already wearied; put in your hand,' she said, 'and toss out whatever you find.' And when the girl, having thrust in her arm, was pulling things from the chest, the mother, having seized the chest’s lid, dashed it down upon her neck.

Quod cum in fortitudine praemeret atque gulam eius axis inferior ita adterreret, ut etiam oculi ad crepandum parati essent, exclamavit una puellarum, quae erat intrinsecus, voce magna, dicens: 'Currite, quaeso, currite; ecce! domina mea a genetrice sua graviter suggillatur'. Et inrumpentes cellolam, qui coram foribus eorum praestulabantur adventum, erutam ab imminente interitu puellam adduxerunt foris. Post ista vero inter easdem inimicitiae vehementius pullulantes, et non de alia causa maxime, nisi quia Rigundis adulteria sequebatur, semper cum eisdem rixae et caedes erant.

When she pressed it down with force and the lower axle so bruised her throat that even her eyes were ready to crack, one of the girls, who was inside, cried out with a great voice, saying: 'Run, I beg you, run; lo! my lady is being gravely bruised by her mother.' And bursting into the little cell, those who were awaiting their arrival before the doors led the girl outside, rescued from imminent destruction. After these things, however, the enmities between them sprang up more vehemently—and chiefly for no other cause than that Rigundis was pursuing adulteries—there were always quarrels and bloodshed between them.

35. De interitu Waddonis.

35. On the death of Waddo.

Beretrudis vero moriens filiam suam heredem instituit, relinquens quaepiam vel monastiriis puellarum, quae ipsa instituerat, vel aeclesiis sive basilicis confessorum sanctorum. Sed Waddo, cui in superiore libro meminimus, quaerebatur, a genero eius equos suos fuisse direptus; cogitavitque accedere ad villam eius unam, quam reliquerat filiae suae, qui infra Pectavo termino erat, dicens: 'Hic a regno alterius veniens, diripuit equos meos, et ego auferam villam eius'. Interea mandatum mittit agenti, ut se adveniente omnia quae erant ad expensam eius necessaria praepararet. Quod ille audiens, coniunctis secum hominibus ex domo illa, se ad bellum praeparat, dicens: 'Nisi moriar, non ingreditur Waddo in domum domini mei'. Audiens autem uxor Waddone, adparatum scilicet belli instaurari contra virum suum, ait ad eum: 'Ne accesseris illuc, care coniux; morieris enim, si abieris, et ego cum filiis misera ero'. Et iniecta manu, voluit eum retenire, dicente praeterea tum filio: 'Si abieris, pariter moriemur, et relinques genetricem meam viduam orfanusque germanus'. Sed cum eum haec verba paenitus retenire non possint, furore accensus contra filium et timidum eum mollemque exclamans, proiecta secure paene cerebro eius inlisit.

Beretrude, however, dying, appointed her daughter her heir, leaving certain things either to the monasteries of girls which she herself had instituted, or to churches or the basilicas of holy confessors. But Waddo, of whom we made mention in the preceding book, it was being alleged, had had his horses despoiled by her son-in-law; and he thought to go to one of her villas which she had left to her daughter, which was within the Poitevin boundary, saying: ‘Here, coming from another’s kingdom, he plundered my horses, and I will carry off his estate.’ Meanwhile he sends a mandate to the agent, that, upon his arriving, he should prepare everything that was necessary for his expenses. Hearing this, he (the agent), having joined to himself men from that house, prepares himself for war, saying: ‘Unless I die, Waddo does not enter my lord’s house.’ But when Waddo’s wife heard that, namely, the apparatus of war was being set up against her husband, she said to him: ‘Do not go there, dear spouse; for you will die if you go away, and I with the children shall be wretched.’ And, with her hand thrown upon him, she wished to hold him back, his son moreover at that moment saying: ‘If you go away, together we shall die, and you will leave my mother a widow and my brother an orphan.’ But when these words could not wholly restrain him, inflamed with fury against his son and shouting that he was timid and soft, with an axe cast he almost dashed it into his brain.

Sed ille in parte excussus, ictum ferientis evasit. Ascensis denique equitibus, abierunt, mandans iterum acturi, ut, domum scupis mundatam, stragulis scamna operiret. Sed ille parvi pendens mandatum eius, cum turbis, ut dixemus, virorum ac mulierum ante fores domini sui stetit, operiens adventum huius.

Sed he, being partly shaken aside, escaped the blow of the striker. At length, once mounted on horseback, they departed, giving orders again to the steward, that, the house having been cleaned with brooms, he should cover the benches with bedspreads. But he, making little of his command, with crowds, as we said, of men and women, stood before his master’s doors, awaiting this man’s arrival.

Qui veniens, statim ingressus domum, ait: 'Cur non sunt scamna haec operta stragulis aut domus scupis mundata? ' Et elevans manum cum sica, caput hominis libravit, caeciditque et mortuus est. Quod cernens filius hominis mortui, emissa ex adverso lanceam, contra Waddonem dirigit; cuius mediam alvum ictu penetrans, a tergo egressa falarica, ruens ad terram, advenientem multitudinem, qui collecta fuerat, lapidibus obrui coepit.

He, coming and straightway having entered the house, said: 'Why are not these benches covered with coverlets or the house cleaned with brooms? ' And, raising his hand with a dagger, he leveled it at the man’s head; he fell and was dead. Seeing this, the son of the dead man, having sent a lance from the opposite side, directs it against Waddo; the falarica, penetrating the middle of his belly with the blow, went out at the back, and as he crashed to the ground, the oncoming multitude, which had been gathered, began to overwhelm him with stones.

Tunc quidam de his qui venerant cum eo inter imbres saxeos accedentes, coopertum sago ac populo mitigato, heiulante filio eius, eumque super equum elevans, adhuc viventem domui reduxit. Sed protinus sub lacrimis uxoris ac filiorum spiritum exalavit. Explicita igitur tam infilicem vitam, filius eius ad regem abiit resque eius obtenuit.

Then a certain one of those who had come with him, approaching amid the stony showers, with him covered by a sagum and the populace mitigated, his son wailing, and lifting him onto a horse, led him, still living, back home. But straightway, beneath the tears of his wife and sons, he breathed out his spirit. With so unhappy a life thus ended, his son went to the king and obtained his property.

36. Quod Childeberthus Theodeberthum Sessionas direxit.

36. That Childebert sent Theudebert to Sens.

Quod Childeberthus rex Theodeberthum filium suum Sessionas direxit.

That King Childebert sent his son Theudebert to Soissons.

Igitur anno quo supra regni sui Childeberthus rex morabatur cum coniuge et matre sua infra terminum urbis quam Strateburgum vocant. Tunc viri fortiores, qui erant in urbe Sessionica sive Meldensi, venerunt ad eum, dicentes: 'Da nobis unum de filiis tuis, ut serviamus ei, scilicet ut de progenie tua pignus retenentes nobiscum, facilius resistentes inimicis, terminus urbis tuae defensare studeamus'. At ille gavisus nuntio, Theudoberthum, filium suum seniorem, illuc dirigendum distinat. Cui comitibus, domesticis, maioribus atque nutriciis vel omnibus qui ad exercendum servitium regale erant necessarii delegatis, mense sexto huius anni direxit eum iuxta voluntatem virorum, qui eum a rege flagitaverant transmittendum.

Therefore, in the year of his reign mentioned above, King Childeberthus was staying with his spouse and his mother within the boundary of the city which they call Strasbourg. Then the stronger men who were in the city of Soissons or of Meaux came to him, saying: 'Give us one of your sons, that we may serve him—namely, that, retaining with us as a pledge someone from your progeny, while more easily resisting enemies, we may strive to defend the bounds of your city.' And he, rejoicing at the message, determines that Theudoberthum, his elder son, should be sent there. And when counts, domestics, magnates and nurses, as well as all who were necessary for the exercising of the royal service, had been assigned to him, in the sixth month of this year he sent him according to the will of the men who had demanded from the king that he be transmitted.

Suscepitque eum populus gaudens ac depraecans, ut vitam eius patrisque sui aevo prolixiore pietas divina concederet.

And the people received him rejoicing and beseeching that divine piety would grant to his life and to that of his father a more prolonged age.

37. De Droctegyselo episcopo.

37. Concerning Bishop Droctegysel.

Erat enim apud urbem Sessionas his diebus Droctigysilus episcopus, qui propter nimiam, ut ferunt, putationem quarto instante anno sensum perdiderat. Adserebant enim multi civium, quod hoc ei maleficiis accessisset per emissionem archidiaconis, quem ab honore reppulerat, in tantum ut infra muros urbis hanc amentiam magis haberit; si vero de civitate fuisset egressus, agebat commodius. Cumque rex supradictus ad urbem venisset et hic melius ageret, non permittibatur ingredi urbem propter regem, qui advenerat.

For in these days there was at the city of Soissons the bishop Droctigysilus, who, on account of excessive, as they say, “putation,” with the fourth year drawing on, had lost his sense. For many of the citizens asserted that this had come upon him by maleficia through the dismissal of the archdeacon, whom he had repelled from honor, to such an extent that within the city walls he had this madness the more; but if he had gone out from the city, he fared more comfortably. And when the aforesaid king had come to the city and he was doing better, he was not permitted to enter the city on account of the king who had arrived.

Et licet esset vorax cibi ac putator vini extra modum, quam sacerdotalem cautilam decit, tamen nullum de eo adulterium quispiam est locutus. Verumtamen in sequenti cum apud Sauriciacum villam episcoporum synodus adgregata fuisset , iussum est, ut licerit ei ingredi urbem suam.

And although he was voracious of food and a drinker of wine beyond measure, beyond what sacerdotal caution befits, nevertheless no one spoke anything of adultery concerning him. However, subsequently, when at Sauriciacum, the bishops’ villa, a synod had been convened, it was ordered that it be permitted to him to enter his city.

38. De id quod aliqui contra Brunichildem agere voluerunt.

38. Concerning that which some wished to proceed against Brunichild.

Cum autem Faileuba regina Childeberthi regis, partu editu mox extincto, egrotaret, adtigit aures eius sermo, quod quidam vel contra eam vel contra Brunichildem regina agere conarentur. Cumque, confortata ab incommodo, ad regis praesentiam accessisset, omnia tam ei quam matri eius quae audierat reseravit. Verba autem huiuscemodi erant, quod scilicet Septimina, nutrix infantum eius, consilio suadere vellet regi, ut, eiectam matrem coniugemque relictam, aliam sortiretur uxorem et hic cum eodem quaecumque vellent vel actu agerent vel praecibus obtinerent.

But when Queen Faileuba, wife of King Childebert, fell ill, her child, brought forth in childbirth, having soon perished, a report reached her ears that certain persons were attempting to act either against her or against Queen Brunichild. And when, strengthened after the ailment, she had come into the king’s presence, she disclosed to both him and his mother everything that she had heard. The words, however, were of this sort: namely, that Septimina, the nurse of his infants, wished by counsel to persuade the king that, his mother being cast out and his consort left aside, he should take another wife, and that thereafter, with him, whatever they wished they might either accomplish by action or obtain by entreaties.

Quod si hoc rex nollet adquiescere quae suadebat, ipsum maleficiis interempto, elevatis filiis eius in regno, repulsa nihilhominus matrem eorum et aviam, ipsi regerent regnum. Huius enim consilii socius pronuntiat esse Sunnegysilum comitem stabuli et Gallomagnum referendarium atque Droctulfum, qui ad solatium Septiminae ad nutriendum regis parvolus fuerat datus. Denique corripiuntur hi duo, Septimina videlicet et Droctulfus.

But if the king should not wish to acquiesce in what she was urging, he himself, being slain by malefices (sorceries), with his sons elevated in the kingdom, their mother and grandmother nonetheless repulsed, they themselves would rule the realm. For a partner of this counsel he pronounces to be Sunnegysil, Count of the Stable, and Gallomagnus the Referendary, and also Droctulf, who, for the consolation of Septimina, had been given the king’s little one to be nurtured. Finally, these two are seized, namely Septimina and Droctulf.

Nec mora, extensi inter stipites cum vehementius caederentur, profititur Septimina, virum suum Iovium maleficiis interfecisse ob amorem Droctulfi ipsumque secum scorto miscere. De his, quae supra diximus, causis pariter confitentur et memoratus viros in hoc consilio habitus indecant. Nec mora, inquiruntur et ipsi; sed conscientia terrente, latebram infra eclesiarum septa petiere.

Without delay, stretched out between stakes and as they were being beaten more vehemently, Septimina professes that she killed her husband Iovius by malefices (sorceries) on account of love for Droctulf, and that she mingled with him in whoredom. Concerning these causes which we have said above, they likewise confess, and they indicate the aforementioned men as having been held in this conspiracy. Without delay, they too are sought; but with conscience affrighting them, they sought a hiding-place within the precincts of the churches.

Ad quos rex ipse procedens, ait: 'Egrediemini in iudicio, ut cognoscamus de his quae vobis obiciuntur, si vera sunt an falsa. Nam, ego ut opinor, in haec eclesia fuga dilapsi non fuissetis, nisi vos conscientia terruisset. Verumtamen promissionem habitote de vita, etiamsi culpabiles inveniamini.

To whom the king himself, proceeding, said: “You will go out to judgment, that we may come to know about the things which are objected to you, whether they are true or false. For, as I suppose, you would not have slipped away in flight into these churches, unless your conscience had terrified you. Nevertheless, have a promise of life, even if you are found culpable.”

Christiani enim sumus; nefas est enim vel criminosus ab eclesia eductus puniri'. Tunc educti foris, cum rege venerunt ad iudicium; discussisque, reclamant, dicentes, quia: 'Septimina cum Droctulfo hoc nobis consilium patefecit. Sed nos exsecrantes ac fugientes, numquam consentire voluimus hoc scelus'. Et rex: 'Si', inquid, 'vos nullam coniventiam praebuissetis, nostris auribus utique intulissetis. Verumne ergo est, vos in hac causa praebuisse consensum, cum hoc nostrae scientiae oculi voluistis?' Et statim eiecti foris, iterum eclesiam petierunt.

'For we are Christians; for it is nefarious that even a criminal, led out from the church, be punished'. Then, led outside, they came with the king to judgment; and after an examination, they cry out in protest, saying: 'Septimina together with Droctulf disclosed this counsel to us. But we, execrating it and fleeing, never wished to consent to this crime'. And the king: 'If', said he, 'you had afforded no connivance, you would surely have brought it to our ears. Is it true, then, that you proffered consent in this case, when you wanted this before the very eyes of our knowledge?' And immediately, cast out outside, they again sought the church.

Septimina vero cum Droctulfo vehementer caesa ac cauteriis accensis in faciae vulnerata, ablatis omnibus quae habebat, Marilegio villa deducitur, ut scilicet trahens molam his, qui in genitio erant positae, per dies singulos farinas ad victus necessaria praepararet. Droctulfum enim, incisis capillis et auribus, ad vineam excolendam delegaverunt; sed post dies paucus fuga dilabitur. Inquisitusque ab actori, iterum ad regem deducitur; ibique multum caesus, iterum ad vineam, quam reliquerat, distinatur.

Septimina, indeed, together with Droctulf, having been severely beaten and wounded in the face with cauteries set alight, with all that she had taken away from her removed, is led off to the villa Marilegio, to wit, so that, drawing the millstone, she might each day prepare flour for the necessities of victuals for those who had been placed in childbed. For Droctulf, with his hair and ears cut, they assigned to cultivate a vineyard; but after a few days he slips away in flight. Sought by the steward (actor), he is led again to the king; and there, much beaten, he is again consigned to the vineyard which he had abandoned.

At vero Sunnegisilus et Gallomagnus, privati a rebus quas a fisco meruerant, in exilio retruduntur. Sed venientibus legatis, inter quos episcopi erant, a rege Gunthchramno et petentibus pro his, ab exilio revocantur; quibus nihil aliud est relictum, nisi quod habere proprium videbantur.

But in truth Sunnegisilus and Gallomagnus, deprived of the goods which they had merited from the fisc, are thrust into exile. But with the legates arriving—among whom there were bishops—and petitioning King Gunthchramn on their behalf, they are recalled from exile; for whom nothing else was left, except what they seemed to have as their own.

39. De scandalo in monasterio Pectavense.

39. On the scandal in the Pectavense monastery.

De scandalo in monasterio Pectavense orto per Chrodechilde et Basina.

On the scandal in the Pectavian monastery arisen through Chrodechilde and Basina.

In monastirio vero Pectavinse, insidiante diabolo in corde Chrodieldis, qui se Chariberthi quondam regis filiam adserebat, orto scandalo, ipsa quoque quasi de parentibus confisa regibus, exacta sacramenta sanctimunialibus, ut, iniectis in abbatissam Leuboveram criminibus, eam monastyrium deiecta, ipsam substituerent principalem, egressa est cum XL aut eo amplius puellis et consubrinam suam Basinam, filiam Chilperici, dicens, quia: 'Vado ad parentes meos regis, ut eis contumeliam nostram innotiscere valeam, quia non ut filiae regum, sed ut malarum ancillarum genitae in hoc loco humiliamur', infilex ac facilis non recordans, in qua se humilitate beata Radegundis, quae hoc instituit monastyrium, exhibebat. Egressa ergo ab eo, Toronus advenit, dataque nobis salutatione, ait: 'Depraecor, sanctae sacerdos, ut has puellas, quae in magna humilitate ab abbatissa Pectavinse redactae sunt, custodire digneris ac cibum praebere, donec ego eam ad reges parentes nostros exponamque eis quae patimur et revertar'. Quibus ego aio: 'Si abbatissa deliquit aut canonicam regulam in aliquo praetermisit, accedamus ad fratrem nostrum Maroveum episcopum et coniuncti arguamus eam; emendatisque negutiis, restituamini in monastirio vestro, ne dispergatur luxoria, quod sancta Radegundis ieiuniis et orationibus crebris aelymosinisque frequentibus adgregavit'. Et illa respondit: 'Nequaquam, sed ad reges ivimus'. Et ego: 'Quare rationi resistitis? Ob quam rem sacerdotale monitum non auditis?

But indeed in the monastery of Poitiers, with the devil lying in ambush in the heart of Chrodieldis, who asserted herself to be the daughter of Charibert, once king, a scandal having arisen, she too, as if confident because of her parents the kings, having exacted oaths from the holy nuns, that, with charges cast upon Abbess Leubovera, having thrown her out from the monastery, they would substitute herself as principal, went out with 40 or more girls, and her cousin Basina, the daughter of Chilperic, saying: 'I go to my parents the kings, that I may be able to make known to them our disgrace, because we are humbled in this place not as daughters of kings, but as if begotten of evil handmaids,' unhappy and fickle, not remembering in what humility the blessed Radegund, who established this monastery, used to present herself. Having gone out from it, she came to Tours, and, having given greeting to us, said: 'I beseech, holy priest, that you deign to guard these girls, who have been brought into great humiliation by the abbess of Poitiers, and to provide food, until I lay her before the kings our parents and set forth to them the things we suffer and return.' To whom I say: 'If the abbess has done wrong or has in any respect omitted the canonical rule, let us go to our brother Bishop Maroveus and, united, let us reprove her; and, the matters amended, be restored in your monastery, lest wantonness be spread abroad, which holy Radegund has gathered together by fasts and frequent prayers and frequent alms.' And she replied: 'By no means, but to the kings we have gone.' And I: 'Why do you resist reason? For what cause do you not hear the priestly admonition?

Vereor, ne coniuncti sacerdotis eclesiarum vos a communionem removeant'. Sic enim et antecessores in epistulam, quae ad beatam Radegundem in initio huius congregationis scripserunt, habetur insertum. Cuius exemplaria huic lectioni inseri placuit. Exemplar epistulae . Dominae beatissimae et in Christo ecclesiae filiae Radegunde Eofronius, Praetextatus, Germanus, Felix, Domitianus, Victurius et Domnolus episcopi.

'I fear lest the joined priests of the churches remove you from communion'. For thus also, as the predecessors in the letter which they wrote to the blessed Radegund at the beginning of this congregation, it is recorded as inserted. Copies of which it has pleased to insert into this reading. Copy of the letter . To the most blessed lady and, in Christ, daughter of the Church, Radegund, Eufronius, Praetextatus, Germanus, Felix, Domitianus, Victurius, and Domnolus, bishops.

Sollicita sunt iugiter circa genus humanum inmensae divinitatis provisura remedia nec ab assiduetate beneficiorum suorum quocumque loco vel tempore videntur aliquando seiuncta, cum pius rerum arbiter tales in hereditate culturae ecclesiasticae personas ubique dissiminat, quibus agrum eius intenta operatione fidei rastro colentibus, ad filicem centini numeri reditum divina temperiae Christi seges valeat pervenire. Tantum igitur benignitatis eius se passim dispensatio profutura diffundit, ut illum nusquam denegit, quod prodesse multis agnuscit; quarum personarum exemplo sanctissimo, cum iudicaturus advenerit, habeat in plurimis quod coronet. Itaque cum ipso catholicae relegionis exortu coepissent Gallicanis in finibus venerandae fidei primordia respirare et adhuc ad paucorum notitiam tunc ineffabilia pervenissent Trinitatis dominicae sacramenta, ne quid hic minus adquirere, quam in urbis circuli, praedicantibus apostolis, obtinere, beatum Martinum peregrina de stirpe ad inluminationem patriae dignatus est dirigere, misericordiam consulenti.

The providential remedies of the immense divinity are ever solicitous around the human race, nor do they seem at any place or time to be at some point separated from the assiduity of his benefactions, since the pious arbiter of things everywhere disseminates such persons in the inheritance and cultivation of the ecclesiastical field, that, as they till his land with the intent operation of faith as with a rake, the crop of Christ, by divine tempering, may be able to arrive at the happy yield of the hundredfold. Therefore so widely does the dispensation of his kindness, destined to be of profit, diffuse itself, that he nowhere denies that which he recognizes to be advantageous to many; by the most holy example of which persons, when he shall have come to judge, he may have in many matters something to crown. And so, when with the very rise of the catholic religion the first beginnings of venerable faith began to breathe again in the Gallican borders, and as yet the ineffable sacraments of the Lord’s Trinity had then reached only the knowledge of a few, lest this place acquire anything less than what, in the circuit of the city with the apostles preaching, it obtained, he deigned to direct blessed Martin, of foreign stock, for the illumination of his homeland, consulting mercy.

Qui licet apostolorum tempore non fuerit, tamen apostolicam gratiam non effugit; nam quod defuit ordine, suppletum est in mercede, quoniam sequens gradus illi nihil subtrahit, qui meritis antecellit. Huius quoque, reverentissima filia, in vobis congratulamur reddiviva surgere supernae dilectionis exempla propitiatione divina; nam, declinante tempore saeculi vetustate, vestri sensus certamine fides revirescit in flore, et quod veterno tepuerat algore senectae, tandem ferventis animi rursus incalescat ardore. Sed cum paene eadem veneritis ex parte, qua beatum Martinum huc didicimus accessisse, non est mirum, si illum imitare videaris in opere, quem tibi ducem credimus iteneris extetisse: ut, cuius es secuta vestigia, filici voto conpleas et exempla, et beatissimum virum in tanto tibi facias esse socium, in quantum partem refugis habere de mundo.

Although he was not in the time of the apostles, nevertheless he did not escape apostolic grace; for what was lacking in order was supplied in recompense, since a subsequent rank subtracts nothing from him who excels in merits. Of this man also, most reverend daughter, we rejoice that in you redivive examples of supernal love arise by divine propitiation; for, as time declines with the world’s old age, by the striving of your mind faith grows green again in bloom, and what had grown tepid with the torpor and chill of senescence at length grows warm again with the ardor of a fervent spirit. But since you have come, in almost the same way by which we learned that blessed Martin came hither, it is no wonder if you seem to imitate him in deed, whom we believe to have stood forth as the guide of your journey: so that, whose footsteps you have followed, you may, with a felicitous vow, fulfill both vows and examples, and make that most blessed man so much your companion, inasmuch as you shun having a share in the world.

Cuius opiniones radio praemicante, ita reddis audientium pectora caelesti fulgore suffusa, ut passim provocati puellarum animi, divini ignis scentella succensi, raptim festinent avide in caritate Christi fonte vestri pectoris inrigari et, relictis parentibus, te sibi magis elegant, quam matrem facit gratia, non natura. Igitur huius studii vota videntes, gratias clementiae supernae referimus, qui voluntates hominum suae facit voluntati conecti, quoniam confidimus, quas aput vos iubet colligi, suo vult amplexu servare. Et quia quasdam conperimus, divinitate propitia, de nostris territuriis ad institutionem vestrae regulae desiderabiliter convolasse, inspicientes etiam vestrae petitionis epistulam libenter a nobis exceptam, hoc Christo auctore et remediatore firmamus, ut, - licet omnes aequaliter quae ibi conveniunt in Domini caritate mansurae debeant inviolabiliter custodire, quod videntur libente semel animo suscepisse, quoniam contaminare non decet Christo fides caelo teste promissa, ubi non leve scaelus est, templum Dei, quod absit, pullui, ut ab eo possit, ira succendente, disperdi, - tamen specialiter definimus, si qua, sicut dictum est, de locis sacerdotaliter nostrae gubernationi, Domino providente, commissis in Pectavina civitate vestro monastirio meruerit sociari, secundum beatae memoriae domni Caesarii Arelatensis episcopi constituta nulli sit ulterius discedendi licentia, quae, sicut contenet regula, voluntate prodita videtur ingressa, ne unius turpi dedecore ducantur in crimine, quod apud omnes emicat in honore.

Whose opinions, with a fore-beaming ray, you so render the breasts of your hearers suffused with heavenly radiance, that, everywhere provoked, the minds of maidens, kindled by a spark of divine fire, hasten swiftly and eagerly to be irrigated, in the charity of Christ, at the fountain of your heart; and, parents left behind, they choose you for themselves rather, in that grace, not nature, makes a mother. Therefore, seeing the vows of this zeal, we render thanks to the supernal clemency, who makes the wills of men be connected to His will, since we are confident that those whom He bids to be gathered to you, He wills to preserve in His embrace. And because we have learned, with divinity propitious, that certain ones from our territories have desirably flocked together for the establishment of your rule, and, inspecting also the epistle of your petition gladly received by us, we confirm this, with Christ as author and redeemer: that, - although all equally who come together there to abide in the charity of the Lord ought inviolably to keep what they seem once to have received with a willing mind, since it is not fitting that the faith promised to Christ, with heaven as witness, be contaminated, where it is no light crime to pollute—God forbid!—the temple of God, so that by the mounting of wrath it might be able to be destroyed by Him, - nevertheless we define specifically that, if any, as has been said, from places sacerdotally committed, with the Lord providing, to our governance, in the Pictavian city shall have merited to be associated with your monastery, then according to the constitutions of lord Caesarius of Arles of blessed memory, bishop, let there be for no one any further license of departing, she who, as the rule contains, appears to have entered with her will made manifest; lest by the base disgrace of one they be led into a crime that among all shines forth in honor.

Et ideo si, quod avertat Deus, aliqua, insanae mentis inlicitatione succensa, ad tanti opproprii maculam praecipitare suam voluerit disciplinam, gloriam et coronam, ut inimici consilio, sicut Eva eiecta de paradiso, per qualemcumque locum de claustris ipsius monastirii, immo de caeli regno exire pertulerit, mergenda et conculcanda vili platearum in luto, separata a communione nostra, diri anathematis vulnere feriatur, ita ut, si fortassis, Christo relicto, homini voluerit nubere, diabolo captivante, non solum ipsa quae refugit, sed etiam ille, qui ei coniunctus est, turpis adulter et potius sacrilegus quam maritus, vel quisquis, ut hoc fierit, veninum magis quam consilium ministravit, simili ultione, sicut de illa dictum est, caelesti iudicio, nobis optantibus, percellatur, donec, separatione facta, per conpetentem execrandi criminis paenitentiam a loco quo egressa fuerat recipi meruerit et adnecti. Adicientes etiam, ut eorum, qui nobis quandoque successuri sunt sacerdotes, similis condempnationis teneantur adstricti reatu; si, quod non credimus, aliquid ipsi voluerint aliter, quam nostra diliberatio contenet, relaxare, noverint se nobiscum, aeterno definiente Iudice, causaturos, quia communis est salutis instructio, si quod Christo promittitur inviolabiliter observetur. Quod nostrae determinationis decretum pro firmitatis intuitu propriae manus subscriptione credidimus roborandum, perpetualiter a nobis Christo auspice servaturum.

And therefore, if—may God avert it—any woman, kindled by the allurement of an insane mind, should wish to hurl headlong her discipline, glory, and crown to the stain of so great an opprobrium, so that, by the counsel of the Enemy, like Eve cast out of paradise, she should endure to go forth by whatever exit from the cloisters of that very monastery—nay, from the kingdom of heaven—to be plunged and trampled in the vile mud of the streets, let her, separated from our communion, be struck by the wound of dire anathema; in such wise that, if perchance, Christ being abandoned, she should wish to marry a man, the Devil taking her captive, not only she who has fled, but also he who is joined to her—a foul adulterer, and rather sacrilegious than a husband—and whoever supplied poison rather than counsel that this be done, be smitten by a like vengeance, as has been said concerning her, by heavenly judgment, we so desiring, until, separation having been made, through competent penance for the execrable crime she shall have merited to be received back and reattached to the place whence she had gone forth. Adding also that those priests who shall at some time succeed us be held constrained under the charge of like condemnation; if—which we do not believe—they should wish to relax anything otherwise than our deliberation contains, let them know they will plead their case with us, the Eternal Judge deciding, since the instruction of salvation is common, if that which is promised to Christ be inviolably observed. Which decree of our determination, with a view to firmness, we have judged should be strengthened by the subscription of our own hand, to be perpetually observed by us with Christ as auspice.

Lecta igitur haec epistula, Chrodieldis dixit: 'Numquam nos ulla retinebit mora, nisi ad reges, quos parentes nostros esse novimus, accedamus'. Venerant enim pedestri iteneri a Pectavo nec ullius aequitis habuerant beneficium, unde anillae et satis exiguae erant. Sed nec victus alimonia ullam eis in viam quisquam praebuerat. Accesserunt enim ad urbem nostram diae prima mensis primi; erant enim pluviae magnae, sed et viae dissolutae erant a nimia inmensitate aquarum.

Therefore, this epistle having been read, Chrodieldis said: 'No delay will ever hold us back, unless we approach the kings, whom we know to be our parents.' For they had come on a pedestrian journey from Poitiers and had had the benefit of no horseman, whence they were panting and quite feeble. Nor had anyone provided them any sustenance of victuals on the way. For they reached our city on the first day of the first month; for the rains were great, and the roads too were dissolved by the excessive immensity of the waters.

40. De fomite primi scandali.

40. On the fuel of the first scandal.

Detrahebant enim et de episcopo, dicentes, quia illius dolo et haec turbatae et monastirium fuerit derelictum; sed materiam huius scandali altius placuit memorari. Tempore Chlothari regis, cum beata Radegundis hoc monasterium instituisset, semper subiecta et oboediens cum omni congregatione sua anterioribus fuit episcopis. Tempore vero Sygiberthi, postquam Maroveus episcopatum urbis adeptus est, acceptis epistulis Sygiberthi regis, pro fide ac devotione Radegundis beata in partibus orientis clericos distinat pro dominicae crucis ligno ac sanctorum apostolorum ceterorumque martyrum reliquiis.

For they were even detracting from the bishop as well, saying that by his deceit both these had been thrown into turmoil and the monastery had been abandoned; but it has pleased to recall the matter of this scandal from further back. In the time of King Chlothar, when blessed Radegund had instituted this monastery, she, together with her whole congregation, was always subject and obedient to the earlier bishops. But in the time of Sigibert, after Maroveus obtained the episcopate of the city, letters (epistles) of King Sigibert having been received, for the faith and devotion of blessed Radegund, she dispatched clerics into the regions of the East for the wood of the Lord’s Cross and for the relics of the holy apostles and the other martyrs.

Qui euntes detulerunt haec pignora. Quibus delatis, petiit regina episcopum, ut cum honore debito grandique psallentio in monastyrium locarentur. Sed ille dispiciens suggestionem eius, ascensis aequitibus, villae se contulit.

Those going brought these pledges. When these had been brought, the queen petitioned the bishop that, with due honor and with great psalmody, they be placed in the monastery. But he, despising her suggestion, after the horsemen had mounted, betook himself to a villa.

Tunc regina iteratis ad regem Sigibertum direxit, depraecans, ut iniunctione sua quicumque ex episcopis haec pignora cum illo quo decebat honorem votumque eius exposcebat in monastyrium collocaret. Ad hoc enim opus beatus Eufronius urbis Toronicae episcopus iniungitur. Qui cum clericis suis Pectavo accedens, cum grandi psallentium et caereorum micantium ac thymiamatis apparatu sancta pignora, absente loci episcopo, in monastirium detulit.

Then the queen sent again to King Sigebert, beseeching that, by his injunction, whichever of the bishops should place these pledges in the monastery with that honor which was fitting, and she also asked for his vow. For this task, the blessed Eufronius, bishop of the city of Tours, is charged; who, approaching Poitiers with his clerics, with a grand apparatus of psalm-chanters and of candles glittering and of incense, brought the holy pledges (relics), the bishop of the place being absent, into the monastery.

Post haec, cum ponteficis sui saepius gratiam quaereret nec possit adipisci, necessitate commota, cum abbatissa sua, quam instituerat, Arelatensim urbem expetunt. De qua regulam sancti Caesarii atque Casariae beatae susceptam, reges se tuitione munierunt, scilicet quia in illum, qui pastor esse debuerat, nullam curam defensiones suae potuerant repperire. Ex hoc scandalum de diae in diae propagatum, tempus migrationis beatae Radegundis advenit.

After these things, since she was more often seeking the favor of her pontiff and could not obtain it, moved by necessity, with her abbess—whom she had appointed—they made for the city of Arles. From there, the Rule of Saint Caesarius and of blessed Caesaria having been adopted, the kings fortified her with their protection, namely because in him who ought to have been a pastor they had been able to find no care for her defense. From this a scandal propagated from day to day, the time of the migration of blessed Radegundis arrived.

Qua migrante, iterum petiit abbatissa se sub sacerdotis sui potestate degere. Quod ille cum primum respuere voluisset, consilio suorum promisit, se patrem earum, sicut dignum erat, fieri et, ubi necessitas fuisset, suam praebere defensionem. Unde factum est, ut habiens ad Childeberthum regem praeceptionem elicerit, ut ei hoc monastyrium, sicut reliquas parrochias, regulariter liceat gubernare.

Upon her departure, the abbess again sought to live under the authority of her priest. Which he, when at first he had wished to refuse, on the counsel of his own promised that he would become their father, as was fitting, and, whenever there was necessity, would provide his defense. Whence it came about that, having access to King Childebert, he obtained a precept that it be permitted to govern this monastery, like the other parishes, regularly.

Sed nescio quid, credo, adhuc in eius animis resedisset, ut haec puellae adserunt, quod moveret scandalum. His vero intendentibus, ut ad regis, sicut diximus, praesentiam properarent, dedimus eis consilium, dicentes: 'Intendetis contra rationem, et nullo modo vobis ea series inseri potest, quae blasphemium arceat. Sed, si, ut diximus, rationem praetermittetis nec salubre consilium vultis accipere, vel hoc conicite in animis vestris, ut, praeterito hiberni huius tempore, qui in hoc verno accessit, cum aurae commodiores fuerint, quo ducit voluntas pergere valeatis'. Quo consilio aptae suscipientes, subsequente aestate, relictis Toronus ceteris ac commendatis consobrinae suae Chrodieldes sanctaemonialibus, ad regem Gunthchramnum accessit.

But I believe something, I know not what, still remained settled in their minds, as the girls assert, which was stirring up scandal. But as they were intent that they should hasten, as we have said, to the king’s presence, we gave them counsel, saying: 'You will press on against reason, and in no way can that sequence be inserted for you which would ward off blasphemy. But if, as we have said, you will pass over reason and do not wish to accept salutary counsel, at least cast this into your minds: that, the time of this winter having passed, which has advanced into this spring, when the breezes are more commodious, you may be able to proceed whither your will leads.' Accepting which counsel as apt, in the subsequent summer, leaving at Toronus the others and, the nuns having been commended to her cousin Chrodieldis, she came to King Gunthchramn.

A quo suscepta ac muneribus honorata, Toronus est regressa, Constantinam, filiam Burgolini, in monastyrio Agustidunensi relicta, expectans episcopos, qui a rege fuerant iussi advenire et causam ipsarum cum abbatissa discutere. Multae tamen ex his, a diversis circumventi, matrimonio copolatae sunt, priusquam haec a rege regrederetur. Cumque praestulantes adventum nullum episcopum advenire senserunt, Pectavum regressi sunt et se infra basilica sancti Helari tutaverunt, congregatis secum furibus, homicidis, adulteris omniumque criminum reis, stabilientes se ad bellum atque dicentes, quia: 'Reginae sumus nec prius in monastyrio nostro ingrediemur, nisi abbatissa eiciatur foris'. Erat ibi tunc reclausa quaedam, quae ante paucus annus, per murum se deiciens, ad basilicam sancti Helari confugit, multa in abbatissa crimina evomens, quae tamen falsa cognovimus.

Received by him and honored with gifts, she returned to Tours, leaving Constantina, daughter of Burgolinus, in the monastery at Autun, awaiting the bishops who had been ordered by the king to come and to discuss their case with the abbess. Many, however, of these, ensnared by various men, were coupled in matrimony before this one returned from the king. And when, as they awaited the arrival, they perceived that no bishop was coming, they returned to Poitiers and secured themselves within the basilica of Saint Hilary, having gathered to themselves thieves, homicides, adulterers, and those guilty of every crime, establishing themselves for war and saying, ‘We are queens, and we will not enter our monastery before the abbess is cast out.’ There was there then a certain recluse, who a few years earlier, letting herself down along the wall, had fled to the basilica of Saint Hilary, spewing forth many accusations against the abbess, which, however, we have known to be false.

Sed postquam in monastyrium per eum locum, unde se praecipitaverat, funibus est adtracta, petiit, ut se in cellolam secretam reclauderet, dicens, quia: 'Multum peccavi in Domino et dominae meae Radegundae', - quae illis diebus suprestis erat - 'volo me', ait, 'ab hac frequentia congregationis totius amovere et paenitentiam pro neglectis meis agere. Scio enim, quia misericors est Dominus et remittit confitentibus se peccata'. Et ingressa est in cellolam. Cum autem hoc scandalum commotum fuisset et Chrodieldis a Gunthchramno rege regressa esset, haec, disrupto nocturnis horis osteo cellolae, egressa est a monastyrium et ad Chrodieldem abiit, multa sicut prius fecerat, crimina de abbatissa prorumpens.

But after she was drawn back into the monastery by ropes through that place whence she had precipitated herself, she asked that she be shut back up in a secret little cell, saying: 'I have greatly sinned against the Lord and against my lady Radegund' - who in those days was still surviving - 'I wish,' she said, 'to remove myself from this crowding of the whole congregation and to do penance for my neglects. For I know that the Lord is merciful and forgives sins to those confessing.' And she entered the little cell. But when this scandal had been stirred up and Chrodieldis had returned from King Gunthchramn, she, the door of the little cell having been broken open in the nocturnal hours, went out from the monastery and went to Chrodieldis, bursting forth with many crimes against the abbess, as she had done before.

41. De caede in basilica sancti Hilari.

41. On the killing in the basilica of Saint Hilary.

Dum autem haec agerentur, Gundigysilus Burdigalinsis, adiunctis secum Nicasium Ecolesinensim et Saffarium Petrocoricum ac ipso Maroveo Pectavensi episcopis, eo quod huius urbis metropolis esset, ad basilicam sancti Helari advenit, arguens has puellas et in monastirio reducere cupiens. Sed cum illae obstinatius reluctarent et hic cum reliquis iuxta epistulam superius nominatam eis excommonionem indiceret, exsurgens turba murionum praefatorum tanta eos in ipsa sancti Helari basilica caede mactavit, ut, conruentes in pavimento episcopis, vix consurgere possint; sed et diaconi et reliqui clerici sanguine perfusi cum effractis capitibus basilicam sunt egressi. Tam inmensus enim eos, ut credo, diabolo cooperante, pavor obsederat, ut, egredientes a loco sancto nec sibi vale dicentes, unusquisque per viam, quam adrepere potuit, repedaret.

While, however, these things were being transacted, Gundigysilus of Bordeaux, having joined to himself Nicasius of Ecolesina and Saffarius of the Petrocorii and Maroveus himself, bishop of Poitiers, since it was the metropolis of this city, came to the basilica of Saint Hilary, accusing these girls and wishing to lead them back into the monastery. But when they resisted more obstinately, and he with the others, in accordance with the letter named above, declared excommunication to them, a crowd of the aforesaid muriones, rising up, slaughtered them with such a massacre in the very basilica of Saint Hilary that, the bishops collapsing on the pavement, they could scarcely get up; and the deacons and the other clerics, drenched with blood, with their heads broken, went out of the basilica. For so immense a fear, as I believe, with the devil cooperating, had beset them, that, going out from the holy place and not even saying farewell to one another, each one retraced his steps by whatever way he could crawl.

Adfuit huic calamitate et Desiderius diaconus Siagri Agustidunensis episcopi, qui, non inquisito Clenni flumines vado, quo primum litus attigit, est ingressus ac, nante equite, ripae ulterioris campo evectus est. Ex hoc Chrodieldis ordinatores elegit, villas monastirii pervadit et, quoscumque de monastirio adripere potuissit, plagis ac caedibus adfectos suo servitio subiugabat, minans, ut, si monastirium possit ingredi, abbatissam de muro proiectam terrae deiecerit. Quod cum Childeberto rege nuntiatum fuisset, statim, directa auctoritate, praecipit Macconi comite, ut haec repraemere omni intentione deberet.

There was present at this calamity also Desiderius, deacon of Siagrius, bishop of Augustodunum, who, without having reconnoitered the ford of the river Clain, at the first shore he touched he entered, and, the horse swimming, was borne out to the plain of the farther bank. From this Chrodield chose “ordinators,” overran the villas of the monastery, and whomever she could seize from the monastery, after afflicting them with blows and slaughters, she was subjugating to her own service, threatening that, if she could enter the monastery, she would cast the abbess down from the wall to the earth. When this had been reported to King Childebert, immediately, authority having been directed, he ordered Count Macco that he ought to repress these things with every intention.

Gundigisilus autem, cum has a commonione suspensas cum ceteris, ut diximus, reliquissit episcopis, epistulam ex suo fratrumque praesentium nomine conscripsit ad sacerdotes illos, qui tunc cum rege Gunthchramno fuerant adgregati. A quibus haec rescripta suscepit: Exemplar rescripti . Dominis semper suis atque apostolici sede dignissimis Gundegyselo, Nicasio et Saffario Aetherius, Syacrius, Aunacharius, Esichyus, Agroecula, Urbicus, Felix, Veranus, item Felix et Berthechramnus episcopi. Litteras vestrae beatitudinis quantum, reserante nuntio, de vestra sospitate gavisi excepimus, tantum de iniuria, quam vos pertulisse signastis, non modico maerore adstringuemur, dum et regula transcenditur et nulla reverentia relegioni servatur.

But Gundigisilus, when—as we have said—he had left these women, suspended from communion along with the others, to the bishops, composed a letter in his own name and in that of the brethren present to those priests who at that time had been assembled with King Gunthchramn. From whom he received this rescript: Copy of the rescript . To their ever lords and most worthy of the apostolic see, Gundegyselus, Nicasius, and Saffarius, Aetherius, Syacrius, Aunacharius, Esichius, Agroecula, Urbicus, Felix, Veranus, likewise Felix and Berthechramnus, bishops. The letters of your beatitude, inasmuch as, the messenger unsealing them, we rejoiced at your safety, so much are we constrained with no small grief over the injury which you have marked that you endured, while both the rule is transcended and no reverence is kept for religion.

Sed quia indicastis monachas, quae de monastirio beatae memoriae Radigundi, instigante diabolo, fuerunt degressae, nullam a vobis adquieverant correctionem audire nec intra monastirii sui septa, de quo egressae fuerant, voluissent reverti, insuper basilicae domni Helarii per caedes vestras vestrorumque iniuriam intulisse, quapropter ipsas a communionis gratia visi fueritis suspendere ac per hoc nostram exinde mediocritatem elegistis consulere: igitur quia optimae vos novimus statuta canonum percurrisse ac regulae plenitudinem contenere, ut, qui in talibus excessibus videntur depraehendi, non solum excommunicationem, verum etiam paenitentiae satisfactionem debeant coerceri, adeo reddentes cum venerationis cultu summae aviditatis dilectionis instinctum, indecamus, ea quae difinistis nos concordanter vestrae sententiae consentire, quoadusque in synodali concilio Kalendis Novembribus pariter positi debeamus consilio pare tractare, qualiter talium temiretas frenum districtionis possit accipere, ut deinceps nulli libeat sub hunc lapsum, faciente iactantia, similia perpetrare. Attamen, quia nos sua dictione domnus Paulus apostolus indesinenter videtur monere, ut 'oportune inportune' debeamus quoscumque excedentes sidola praedicatione corregere, et pietatem protestatur ad omnia utilem esse, adeo suggerimus, ut adhuc et oratione assidua Domini misericordiam depraecimini, ut ipse spiritu conpunctionis ipsas inflammare dignetur, ut id, quod per delictum visae sunt contraxisse, digna satisfactione paeneteant, ut in monastirio suo vestra praedicatione animas, quae quodammodo perierunt, propitio Christo revertantur, ut ille, qui unam humeris inlatam ovem errantem ad ovilem reduxit, et de istarum transgressionem quasi adquisitum gregem congaudere dignetur, hoc specialius postulantes, ut pro nobis intercessionum vestrarum suffragia indesinenter, ut confidemus, tribuatis. Peculiares vester Aetherius peccator salutare praesumo.

But because you indicated that the nuns who, from the monastery of Radegund of blessed memory, with the devil instigating, had descended, were not willing to acquiesce to hear any correction from you, nor to return within the bounds of their monastery, from which they had gone out, and moreover that they had brought an injury to the basilica of lord Hilary through assaults upon you and wrongs against yours, wherefore you seemed to have suspended them from the grace of communion, and by this chose to consult our mediocrity thereupon: therefore, since we know that you have run through the most excellent statutes of the canons and contain the plenitude of the rule, to the effect that those who are seen to be apprehended in such excesses ought to be restrained not only by excommunication, but also by the satisfaction of penance, thus rendering, with the cult of veneration, the impulse of love of highest avidity, we declare that we concordantly consent to your sentence in the things that you have defined, until such time as, set together in synodal council on the Kalends of November, we should be bound to treat by counsel how the temerity of such persons may receive the bridle of strictness, so that henceforth it may be pleasing to no one, with vaunting as the mover, to perpetrate similar things under this lapse. Yet, because lord Paul the apostle seems unceasingly to admonish us by his own diction, that “in season, out of season” we ought to correct, by sedulous preaching, whosoever exceed, and he attests that piety is useful for all things, we therefore suggest that you still, with assiduous prayer, beseech the mercy of the Lord, that he himself may deign to inflame them with the spirit of compunction, that they may repent with worthy satisfaction of that which they seem to have contracted through offense, that, by your preaching, the souls which have in a certain manner perished may return, Christ being propitious, to their monastery; that he who brought back on his shoulders the wandering sheep to the fold may also deign to rejoice, as over a flock acquired, at the recovery from their transgression; asking this more especially, that you may, as we are confident, grant without ceasing the suffrages of your intercessions on our behalf. Your own Aetherius, a sinner, presume to send greeting.

Cliens vester Isychius reverenter audeo salutare. Amatur vester Siagrius reverenter saluto. Cultor vester Urbecus peccator famulanter saluto.

Your client Isychius, I reverently dare to salute. Your lover/devotee Siagrius, I reverently salute. Your worshiper Urbecus, a sinner, I humbly salute as a servant.

Veneratur vester Veranus episcopus reverenter saluto. Famulus vester Filex salutare praesumo. Humilis vester atque amator Felix audeo salutare.

Your venerator Veranus, bishop, I reverently salute. Your servant Filex, I presume to salute. Your humble one and lover Felix, I dare to salute.

Humilis atque oboediens vester Berthramnus episcopus salutare praesumo.

Your humble and obedient Bishop Berthramnus, I presume to greet.

42. Exemplare epistolae, quam sancta Radegundis direxit.

42. An exemplar of the epistle, which Saint Radegund sent.

Sed et abbatissa recitavit epistulam, quam beata Radegundis episcopis, qui suo tempore erant, diregi voluit. Cuius nunc iterum ipsa abbatissa exemplaria ad vicinarum urbium sacerdotes direxit. Cuius haec est exemplar: Exemplar epistulae . Dominis sanctis et apostolica sede dignissimis in Christo patribus, omnibus episcopis Radegundis peccatrix.

But also the abbess recited the epistle, which blessed Radegundis wished to be directed to the bishops who were in her own time. Of which now again the abbess herself directed exemplars to the priests of the neighboring cities. Of which this is the exemplar: Exemplar of the epistle . To the holy lords and most worthy of the Apostolic See, fathers in Christ, to all the bishops, Radegundis, a sinner.

Congruae provisionis tunc roborabiliter ad effectum tendit exordium, cum generalibus patribus, medicis ac pastoribus ovilis sibi conmissi causa auribus traditur, cuius sensibus conmendatur; quorum participatio de caritate consilium, de potestate suffragium, de oratione ministrare poterit interventum. Et quoniam olim vinclis laicalibus absoluta, divina providente et inspirante clementia, ad relegionis normam visa sum voluntariae duce Christo translata, ac pronae mentis studio cogitans etiam de aliarum profectibus, ut, annuente Domino, mea desideria efficerentur reliquis profutura, instituente atque remunerante praecellentissimo domno rege Chlothario, monastirium puellarum Pectava urbe constitui conditumque, quantum mihi munificentia regalis est largita, facta donatione, dotavi; insuper congregationem per me, Christo praestante, collectae regulam, sub qua sancta Casaria deguit, quam sollicitudo beati Caesarii antestites Arelatensis ex institutione sanctorum patrum convenienter collegit, adscivi. Cui, consentientibus beatissimis vel huius civitatis vel reliquis pontificibus, electione etiam nostrae congregationis, domnam et sororem meam Agnitem, quam ab ineunte aetate loco filiae colui et eduxi, abbatissam institui ac me post Deum eius ordinatione regulariter oboedituram conmisi.

Then the beginning of a congruent provision tends robustly to its effect, when to the general fathers, the physicians and shepherds of the fold committed to them, the cause is delivered to their ears and commended to their understanding; whose participation can supply counsel from charity, suffrage from power, and intervention from prayer. And since, long ago loosed from lay bonds, by the providence and inspiring of divine clemency, I was seen to have been transferred, with Christ as leader of my free will, to the norm of religion, and, by the zeal of an eager mind, considering also the advances of others, so that, the Lord assenting, my desires might be brought to pass to be beneficial for the rest, by the instituting and remunerating of the most preeminent lord King Chlothar, I had a monastery of girls established in the city of Poitiers and, a donation having been made, I endowed it according to what royal munificence has bestowed upon me. Moreover, for the congregation gathered by me, Christ providing, I adopted the rule under which Saint Caesaria lived, which the solicitude of blessed Caesarius, the bishop of Arles, suitably collected from the institution of the holy fathers. With the most blessed pontiffs, both of this city and the others, consenting, and with the election also of our congregation, I appointed Lady and my sister Agnes—whom from earliest age I cherished and brought up in the place of a daughter—as abbess, and I committed myself, after God, to obey her regularly by her ordination.

Cuique, formam apostolicam observantes, tam ego quam sorores de substantia terrena quae possedere videbamur, factis cartis, tradedimus, metu Annaniae et Saffirae in monastirio positae nihil proprium reservantes. Sed quoniam incerta sunt humanae conditionis momenta vel tempora, quippe mundo in fine currente, cum aliqui magis propriae quam divinae cupiant voluntate servire, zelo ducta Dei, hanc suggestionis meae paginam mereto apostulatus vestri in Christi nomen supraestis porrego vel devota. Et quia praesens non valui, quasi vestris provoluta vestigiis, epistulae vicarietate prosternor, coniurans per Patrem et Filium et Spiritum sanctum ac diem tremendi iudicii, sic repraesentatos vos non tyrannus obpugnit, sed legitimus rex coronet, ut, si casu post meum obitum, si quaecumque persona vel loci eiusdem pontifex seu potestas principis vel alius aliquis, quod nec fieri credimus, congregationem vel suasu malivolo vel inpulsu iudiciario perturbare temptaverit aut regulam frangere seu abbatissam alteram quam sororem meam Agnitem, quam beatissimi Germani praesentibus suis fratribus benedictio consecravit, aut ipsa congregatio, quod fieri non potest, habita murmoratione, mutare contenderit, vel quasdam dominationes in monasterio vel rebus monastirii quaecumque persona vel pontifex loci, praeter quas antecessores episcopi aut alii, me superstete, habuerunt, novo privilegio quicumque affectare voluerit, aut extra regulam exinde egredi quis temptaverit; seu de rebus, quas in me praecellentissimus domnus Chlotharius vel praecellentissimi domni reges, filii sui, contulerunt et ego ex eius praeceptiones permisso monastirio tradidi possedendum et per auctoritates praecellentissimorum domnorum regum Chariberthi, Guntchramni, Chilperici et Sigiberthi cum sacramenti interpositione et suarum manuum subscriptionibus obtenui confirmari; aut ex his, quae alii pro animarum suarum remedio vel sorores ibidem de rebus propriis contulerunt, aliquis princeps aut pontifex aut potens aut de sororibus cuiuslibet personae aut minuere aut sibimet ad proprietatem revocare sacrilego voto contenderit, ita vestra sanctitatem successorumque vestrorum post Deum pro mea supplicatione et Christi voluntate incurrat, ut, sicut praedones et spoliatores pauperum extra gratiam vestram habeantur, numquam de nostra regula vel de rebus monasterii, obsistentibus vobis, inmenuere valeat aliquid aut mutare.

Accordingly, observing the apostolic form, both I and the sisters, of the earthly substance which we seemed to possess, with charters drawn up, handed it over, in fear of Ananias and Sapphira, we who were set in the monastery reserving nothing as our own. But since the moments and times of the human condition are uncertain, aye, with the world running to its end, while some wish rather to serve their own will than the divine, led by the zeal of God, I, as is merited by your apostolate, in the name of Christ lay before you this page of my suggestion, as one devoted. And because I was not able to be present, as though prostrate at your footsteps, by the vicariousness of a letter I abase myself, adjuring by the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and the day of the dread judgment, that, you thus made present, not a tyrant assail you, but a lawful king crown you, to the effect that, if by chance after my death any person whatsoever, whether the bishop of that place or the power of a prince or anyone else— which we do not believe will be done—should attempt to disturb the congregation either by malicious persuasion or by judicial impulse, or to break the rule, or to appoint another abbess than my sister Agnes, whom the blessing of the most blessed Germanus consecrated in the presence of his brethren, or the congregation itself—which cannot be—should, with murmuring raised, strive to change; or if any person or the bishop of the place should affect certain lordships in the monastery or in the goods of the monastery, beyond those which the predecessor bishops or others, while I was yet alive, had; or should by a new privilege aim at them, or anyone should attempt from that point to go forth outside the rule; or concerning the goods which the most preeminent lord Chlothar or the most preeminent lords the kings, his sons, conferred upon me, and which I, by permission of his precepts, handed over to the monastery to be possessed, and which I obtained to be confirmed by the authorities of the most preeminent lords the kings Charibert, Guntram, Chilperic, and Sigebert, with the interposition of an oath and with the subscriptions of their hands; or from those things which others for the remedy of their souls, or the sisters there from their own goods, have contributed, if any prince or bishop or potentate or any person from among the sisters should strive either to diminish them or by a sacrilegious vow to call them back to his own property—let him thus incur your holiness and that of your successors after God, on behalf of my supplication and the will of Christ, that, just as robbers and despoilers of the poor are held outside your favor, never of our rule or of the goods of the monastery, with you standing in opposition, may he be able to diminish or to change anything.

Hoc etiam depraecans, ut, cum Deus praedictam domnam sororem nostram Agnitem de saeculo migrare voluerit, illa in loco eius abbatissa de nostra congregatione debeat ordinare, quae Deo et ipsi placuerit, custodiens regulam, et nihil de proposito sanctitatis imminuat; nam numquam propria aut cuiuscumque voluntas praecipitat. Quod si, quod absit, contra Dei mandatum et auctoritatem regum aliquis de suprascriptis condicionibus vobis coram Domino et sanctis eius praecabiliter conmendatis agere aut de persona aut substantiam minuenda voluerit aut memoratae sorore meae Agnite abbatissae molestias aliquas inferre temptaverit, Dei et sanctae Crucis et beatae Mariae incurrat iudicium, et beatus confessores Helarium et Martinum, quibus post Deum sorores meas tradidi defendendas, ipsos habeat contradictores et persecutores. Te quoque, beati pontifex, successoresque vestros, quos patronos in causa Dei diligenter adscisco, si, quod absit, exteterit, qui contra haec aliquid moliri temptaverit, pro repellendo et confutando Dei hoste non pigeat ad regem, quem eo tempore locus iste respexerit, vel ad Pectavam civitatem pro re vobis ante Dominum conmendatam percurrere et contra aliorum iniustitia exsecutores et defensores iustitiae laborare, ut tale nefas ullo modo suis admitti temporibus rex patiatur catholicus, ne convelli permittant, quod Dei et mea et regum ipsorum voluntate firmatum est.

Also beseeching this, that, when God shall have willed our aforesaid lady, our sister Agnite, to migrate from the world, she in her place should ordain as abbess, from our congregation, her who shall have pleased God and herself, keeping the rule and diminishing nothing of the purpose of sanctity; for never does a private, or anyone’s, will precipitate. But if—may it not be—against God’s command and the authority of the kings anyone should wish to act against the above-written conditions, earnestly commended to you before the Lord and his saints, either to diminish the person or the substance, or should attempt to bring any annoyances upon my aforesaid sister Agnite the abbess, let him incur the judgment of God and of the Holy Cross and of blessed Mary, and let him have as contradictors and persecutors the blessed confessors Hilary and Martin, to whom, after God, I have entrusted my sisters to be defended. You also, blessed pontiff, and your successors, whom I diligently enroll as patrons in the cause of God, if—may it not be—there shall arise someone who shall attempt to plot anything against these things, let it not be irksome, for repelling and confuting the enemy of God, to hasten to the king whom at that time this place shall have regarded, or to the city of Pectava, on behalf of the matter commended to you before the Lord, and to labor, against the injustice of others, as executors and defenders of justice, so that the catholic king may in no way allow such a nefarious act to be admitted in his times, nor permit to be shaken what has been made firm by the will of God and of me and of the kings themselves.

Simul etiam principes, quos Deus pro gubernatione populi post discessum meum superesse praeceperit, coniuro per Regem, 'cuius non erit finis' et ad cuius nutum regna consistunt, qui eis donavit ipsum vivere vel regnare, ut monasterium, quod ex permisso et solatio domnorum regum patres vel avi eorum construxisse visa sum et ordinasse regulariter vel dotasse, sub sua tuitione et sermone una cum Agne abbatissa iubeant gubernare; et a nullo neque saepe dictam abbatissam nostram neque aliquid ad nostrum monasterium pertenentem molestari aut inquietari vel exinde imminui aut aliquid mutari permittat; sed magis pro Dei intuitu una cum domnis episcopis ipsi, me supplecante coram Redemptorem gentium, sicut eis conmendo, defensari iubeant et muniri, ut, in cuius honore Dei famulas protegunt, cum defensore pauperum et sponso virginum perpetualiter aeterno socientur in regno. Illud quoque vos sanctos pontifices et praecellentissimos domnos reges et universum populum christianum coniuro per fidem catholicam, in qua baptizati estis et ecclesias conservatis, ut in basilica, quam in sanctae Mariae dominicae genetrices honore coepimus aedificare, ubi etiam multae sorores nostrae conditae sunt in requie, sive perfecta sive inperfecta, cum me Deus de hac luce migrare praeceperit, corpuscolum meum ibi debeat sepeliri. Quod si quis aliud inde voluerit aut fieri temptaverit, obtenente cruce Christi et beata Maria, divinam ultionem incurrat, et, vobis intercurrentibus, in loco ipsius basilicae merear cum sororum congregationem obtenere loculum sepulturae.

At the same time I adjure also the princes, whom God shall have commanded to survive for the governance of the people after my departure, by the King “of whose (kingdom) there will not be an end” and at whose nod kingdoms consist, who granted to them to live and to reign, that they command the monastery—which by the permission and solace of the lords kings, their fathers or grandfathers, I am understood to have constructed and to have ordered according to the Rule and to have endowed—to be governed under their protection and word together with Agnes the abbess; and that by no one neither our oft‑named abbess nor anything pertaining to our monastery be harassed or disquieted or from it be diminished, nor allow anything to be changed; but rather, for God’s regard, together with the lords bishops, they themselves, I supplicating before the Redeemer of the nations, as I commend it to them, order it to be defended and fortified, so that, in whose honor they protect the handmaids of God, they may be joined with the defender of the poor and the bridegroom of virgins perpetually in the eternal kingdom. This also I adjure you holy pontiffs and most excellent lords kings and the whole Christian people by the catholic faith, in which you have been baptized and you preserve the churches: that in the basilica which we began to build in honor of holy Mary, the mother of the Lord, where also many of our sisters have been laid in rest, whether perfected or imperfect, when God shall have commanded me to migrate from this light, my little body should be buried there. But if anyone shall have willed otherwise concerning it or shall have attempted to have it done, the Cross of Christ and blessed Mary prevailing, let him incur divine vengeance; and, you intervening, in the place of that basilica may I merit to obtain, together with the congregation of sisters, a little place of burial.

Et ut haec supplicatio mea, quam manu propria subscripsi, ut in universalis aeclesiae archevo servetur, effusis cum lacrimis depraecor, quatinus, si contra inprobos aliquos necessitas exerit, ut vestra defensione soror mea Agnis abbatissa vel congregatio eius, quo succurri sibi poposcerint, vestrae misericordiae pia consolatio opem pastorali sollicitudine subministret, nec de me distitutas se proclament, quibus Deus praesidium vestrae gratiae praeparavit. Illud vobis in omnibus ante oculos revocantes, per ipsum, qui de cruce gloriosam virginem, suam genetricem, beato Iohanni apostolo commendavit, ut, qualiter ab illo conpletum est Domini de mandato, sic sit apud vos indigna et humilis dominis meis aeclesiae patribus et viris apostolicis quod commendo; quod cum dignanter servaveritis deposito, meretis participes, cuius impletis mandatum, apostolicum digne reparetis exemplum.

And that this my supplication, which I have subscribed with my own hand, may be kept in the archive of the universal Church, I beseech with tears poured out, to wit, that, if necessity should arise against certain wicked men, your merciful pious consolation may, with pastoral solicitude, supply help by your protection to my sister Agnes the abbess or to her congregation, wherever they shall have asked that aid be brought to them, nor let them proclaim themselves bereft of me, for whom God has prepared the safeguard of your grace. Recalling this before your eyes in all things, by Him who from the Cross commended the glorious Virgin, His mother, to the blessed apostle John, that, just as by him it was fulfilled by the Lord’s mandate, so may that which I, unworthy and humble, commend to you—my lords, the fathers of the Church and apostolic men—be likewise fulfilled among you; and when you shall have deigned to keep the deposit, you will merit to be partakers, and, by fulfilling His command, you will worthily restore the apostolic example.

43. Quod Teutarius ad hoc scandalum mitigando venit.

43. That Teutarius came to mitigate this scandal.

Post haec Maroveus episcopus, cum diversa inproperia ab his audiret, Porcarium abbatem basilicae beati Helari ad Gundegysilum episcopum vel reliquos conprovincialis eius distinat, ut, data conmunione puellis, ad audientiam veniendi licentiam indulgere dignarentur. Sed nequaquam potuit obtenere. Childeberthus autem rex, cum assiduas de utraque parte, monasterii scilicet vel puellarum, quae egressae fuerant, molestias patiretur, Theutharium presbiterum ad dirimandas quaeremunias, quae inter easdem agebantur, distinat.

After these things Bishop Maroveus, when he was hearing various reproaches from them, dispatches Porcarius, abbot of the basilica of the blessed Hilary, to Bishop Gundegysilus and the rest of his co-provincials, that, with communion given to the girls, they might deign to grant license to come to an audience. But by no means could he obtain it. King Childeberthus, however, since he was suffering continual vexations from both sides, namely from the monastery and from the girls who had gone out, dispatches the presbyter Theutharius to settle the querimonies which were being conducted between those same parties.

Qui, provocatis Chrodieldem cum reliquis puellis ad audientiam, dixerunt: 'Non venimus, quia a communione suspensae sumus. Si reconciliare merimur, tunc ad audientiam venire non differimus'. Haec audiens ille, ad episcopos abiit. Cumque cum his de hac causa locutus fuisset, nullum effectum obtenere potuit de communione earum; et sic ad urbem Pectavam regressus est.

He, having summoned Chrodieldis with the remaining girls to a hearing, they said: 'We are not coming, because we have been suspended from communion. If we merit to be reconciled, then we do not delay to come to the hearing'. Hearing these things, he went away to the bishops. And when he had spoken with them about this cause, he could obtain no effect regarding their communion; and so he returned to the city of Poitiers.

Puellae vero separatae ab invicem, aliae ad parentes, aliae ad domus proprias, nonnullae in his monasteriis, in quibus prius fuerant, sunt regressae, quia hiemem validum simul positae propter penuriam ligni tollerare non poterant. Pauci tamen cum Chrodieldae et Basina remanserunt. Erat enim tunc et inter eas magna discordia, pro eo quod alia aliae se praeponire cupiebat.

The girls, however, separated from one another: some to their parents, others to their own homes, and some returned to those monasteries in which they had previously been, because, placed together, they could not tolerate the severe winter on account of a penury of wood. A few, however, remained with Chrodielda and Basina. For there was then also great discord among them, because one desired to set herself before another.

44. De temperiae anni praesentis.

44. On the temperateness of the present year.

Eo anno post clausum pascha tam inmensa cum grandine pluvia fuit, ut infra duarum aut trium horarum spatium etiam per minores vallium meatus ingentia currere flumina viderentur. Arbores in autumno floruerunt et poma, sicut prius dederant, ediderunt. Mense nono rosae apparuerunt.

In that year, after the close of Easter, there was so immense a rain with hail that within the space of two or three hours even through the smaller channels of the valleys huge rivers seemed to run. The trees flowered in autumn and put forth fruits, just as they had given before. In the ninth month roses appeared.

Flumina vero ultra modum excreverunt, ita ut excedentes litoribus loca, quae numquam contingere consuetae fuerant, operirent, non minimum de sationibus inferentes damnum.

The rivers, in truth, swelled beyond measure, such that, exceeding their banks, they covered places which they had never been accustomed to touch, bringing no small damage upon the sowings.

Explicit liber nonus.

Here ends the ninth book.