Nithardus: HISTORIARUM LIBRI QUATTUOR

Explicitis pro tempore ac viribus dissensionum vestrarum initiis, e quibus quique lector scire cupiens, quam ob rem post obitum patris vestri Lodharius vos fratremque persequi statuerit, decernat, colligat et, si iuste egerit, cognoscat, hinc iam, qua virtute ac industria hoc exsecutus sit prout memoria viresque suppleverint, notare curabo. Vos vero difficultates, quae ex eadem molestia parvitati meae obstiterint, inspicere deposco et, si quid in hoc opere neglexero, ut ignoscatis, quaeso.

With the beginnings of your dissensions set forth for the time being and to the extent of my powers, from which each reader, desiring to know for what reason, after the death of your father, Lothar
decided to pursue you and your brother, may determine, gather, and, if he shall have acted justly, come to know, from here now, by what virtue and industry he carried this out, in so far as memory and strength
have supplied, I shall take care to note. But you I entreat to consider the difficulties which, from this same vexation, have stood in the way of my smallness, and, if I have neglected anything in this work, that you forgive, I beg.

1. Audiens Lodharius patrem suum obisse confestim nuntios ubique, praesertim per totam Franciam mittit, qui se venturum in imperium, quod olim fuerat illi datum, affirment, promittens unicuique honores a patre concessos se concedere et eosdem augere velle. Dubios quoque fidei sacramento firmari praecepit; insuper autem iussit, ut, quantocius possent, obviam illi procederent, nolentibus vero capitale supplicium ut praediceretur, indixit ipse autem pedetemptim, quo se res verteret, antequam Alpes excederet, scire volens processit. Ergo cupiditate terroreque illecti undique ad illum confluunt; et hoc cernens spe viribusque magnanimis effectus, quibus artibus universum imperium liberius invadere posset, deliberare coepit.

1. Hearing that his father had died, Lothar immediately sends messengers everywhere, especially
throughout all France, who should affirm that he was coming to the empire, which once had been
given to him, promising to each that he would grant the honors conceded by his father and that he
wished to augment the same. He also ordered that the doubtful be confirmed by an oath of fealty;
moreover he commanded that, as quickly as they could, they should go to meet him, and he
proclaimed that capital punishment was to be foretold for those unwilling; but he himself advanced
step by step, wishing to know how the matter would turn out before he crossed the Alps. Therefore,
enticed by greed and by terror, they flock to him from every side; and seeing this, made confident by
hope and with magnanimous strength, he began to deliberate by what arts he might more freely seize
the whole empire.

Lodhuwicum quoque quoniam itineri suo contiguum esse prospexit, ut primum in illum manum mitteret, ratum duxit et, ut eundem viribus adnullaret, operam omni virtute adiecit. Interea ad Karolum in Aquitaniam legatos callide dirigens mandat se erga illum, sicuti pater statuerat, et sicut erga filiolum ex baptismate oportebat, benevolum esse, verumtamen ut nepoti suo, filio Pippini, donec cum eo loqueretur, parceret, deprecatus est. Et his ita compositis ad urbem Vangionum iter direxit.

Louis
also, since he foresaw that he was contiguous to his route, he deemed it settled that he should at the first lay hand upon him, and he added effort with all vigor, that he might by force nullify the same. Meanwhile, cleverly dispatching envoys to Charles in Aquitaine, he instructs them to declare that he is well-disposed toward him, just as his father had determined, and as was fitting toward a little son from baptism (a godson); nevertheless he entreated that he spare his grandson, the son of Pippin, until he could speak with him. And with these matters thus arranged he directed his journey to the city of the Vangiones.

Eodem tempore Lodhuwicus partem exercitus inibi causa custodiae reliquerat et Saxonibus sollicitatis obviam illis perrexerat. Quam ob rem Lodharius parvo conflictu custodes fugere compulit, Rhenum cum universo exercitu transiens Franconofurth iter direxit. Quo insperate hinc Lodharius, inde Lodhuwicus confluunt, paceque sub nocte composita alter inibi, alter vero, quo Moin in Rhenum confluit, castra haud fraterno amore componunt.

At the same time Louis had left part of the army there for the purpose of guard, and, the Saxons having been stirred up, had gone to meet them. Therefore Lothar, with a small skirmish, compelled the guards to flee, and, crossing the Rhine with the whole army, directed his march to Franconofurt (Frankfurt). There, unexpectedly, from one side Lothar, from the other Louis, converge; and with a peace arranged under cover of night, the one pitched camp there, the other at the place where the Main flows into the Rhine, not in fraternal love.

Cumque Lodhuwicus viriliter resisteret, et Lodharius illum absque proelio sibi subigere diffideret, sperans Karolum facilius superari posse, ea pactione proelium diremit, ut III. Idus Novembris eodem loco rursum conveniant et, ni concordia statutis interveniat, quid cuique debeatur, armis decernant; et his ita omissis Karolum sibi subigere contendit.

And when Louis was resisting manfully, and Lothar despaired that he could subdue him to himself without battle, hoping that Charles could be overcome more easily, by that pact he broke off the battle, that on November 11 in the same place they might convene again, and, if concord should not intervene on the agreed terms, they would decide by arms what is owed to each; and, these things thus set aside, he strove to subdue Charles to himself.

2. Per idem tempus Karolus Bituricas ad placitum, quo Pippinum sui iuraverant venturum, venerat. Qui quidem ex omnibus nuntio recepto missos, videlicet Nithardum et Adelgarium, delegit et, uti ocius valuit, ad Lodharium direxit, mandans ac deprecans, ut memor sit sacramentorum, quae inter se iuraverant, et servet, quae inter illos pater statuerat; insuper etiam fraternae filiolique condicionis meminerit; haberet sua sibi et, quod illi pater suo consensu concesserat, absque conflictu illum habere permittat; promittens, si hoc faceret, fidelem se illi et subiectum fore velle, ita ut primogenito fratri esse oporteret. Insuper etiam quicquid hactenus in illum deliquerat pollicitus est se ex corde remittere, deprecatus, ne amplius suos sollicitet, ne regnum sibi a Deo commissum perturbet.

2. At the same time Charles had come to Bourges for the assembly, to which they had sworn that Pippin would come, to him. Who indeed, upon receiving from all the message, selected envoys, namely Nithard and Adelgarius, and sent them, as swiftly as he was able, to Lothar, instructing and entreating that he be mindful of the oaths which they had sworn between themselves, and keep what their father had established between them; moreover that he remember the condition of brotherhood and of the little son; that he have his own to himself and, what their father had granted to him with his own consent, permit him to hold without conflict; promising that, if he should do this, he wishes to be faithful and subject to him, as it ought to be to the firstborn brother. Moreover, whatever he had transgressed against him up to now, he promised to remit from the heart, beseeching that he no longer stir up his men, lest he disturb the kingdom committed to himself by God.

Cederent undique paci atque concordiae, et hoc se sua suorumque ex parte ratum videre ac per hoc conservare velle mandavit; quod etsi alter hoc ita esse non crederet, quocumque vellet modo ex his illum certum se efficere promisit. Quae quidem Lodharius simulans se benigne suscipere legatos tantum salutationis causa redire permisit ac per suos se responsurum de ceteris esse respondit. Insuper etiam, quoniam ad ipsum se vertere frustrata fide noluerunt, honoribus, quos pater illis dederat, privavit; ita, quid fratri facere cogitaret, nolens indicium dabat.

Let them yield on all sides to peace and concord, and he ordered that he saw this as ratified on his and his men’s part and by this wished to preserve it; and even if the other did not believe this to be so, in whatever way he wished, by these he promised to make him certain. Which things Lodharius, pretending to receive kindly, allowed the legates to return only for the sake of salutation and replied that through his own men he would respond about the rest. Moreover, since they were unwilling to turn themselves to him, their pledge being frustrated, he deprived them of the honors which their father had given them; thus, unwillingly he was giving an indication of what he was thinking to do to his brother.

Interea omnes inter Mosam et Sequanam degentes ad Karolum miserunt mandantes, ut, antequam a Lodhario praeoccuparentur, veniret, adventum eius se praestolaturos promittentes. Quam ob rem cum perpaucis Karolus hoc iter accelerans ab Aquitania Carisiatum venit et a Carbonariis et infra ad se venientes benigne suscepit. Extra vero Herenfridus, Gislebertus, Bovo ac ceteri ab Odulfo decepti, firmatam fidem neglegentes, defecerunt.

Meanwhile all those dwelling between the Meuse and the Seine sent to Charles, directing that, before they were preoccupied by Lothar, he should come, promising that they would await his arrival. For which reason, with very few men, Charles, hastening this journey, came from Aquitaine to Carisiacum (Quierzy) and kindly received those coming to him from the Carbonaria and below. But apart from these, Herenfrid, Gislebert, Bovo, and the others, deceived by Odulf and neglecting the pledged faith, defected.

3. Eodem tempore missus ab Aquitania venit nuntians, quod Pippinus cum his qui parti suae favebant super matrem Karoli irruere vellet; ac per hoc Karolus Francos inibi omittens mandat, si illos frater suus, donec reverteretur, opprimere vellet, obviam sibi procederent. Insuper ad Lodharium Hugonem, Adelhardum, Gerhardum et Hegilonem direxit, cunctaque, quae tunc nuper illi mandaverat, replicans nec non et pro Deo deprecatus est, ne suos sibi subtrahens regnum, quod Deus paterque suo consensu illi dederat, amplius dissipet. Et his ita compositis in Aquitaniam festinus perrexit superque Pippinum et suos irruens fuga illos abire compulit.

3. At the same time a messenger sent from Aquitaine came announcing that Pippin, with those who favored his party, wished to rush upon Charles’s mother; and through this Charles, leaving the Franks there, orders that, if his brother wished to oppress them until he returned, they should proceed to meet him. Moreover he sent to Lothar Hugh, Adalhard, Gerhard, and Hegilo, repeating all the things which he had lately charged him, and also implored for God’s sake that, by withdrawing his men from him, he not further dissipate the kingdom which God and their father, with his consent, had given to him. And with these things thus arranged, he hastened into Aquitaine and, rushing upon Pippin and his followers, compelled them to depart in flight.

Per idem tempus cum Lodharius a Lodhuwico reverteretur, et omnes citra Carbonarias ad illum venirent, Mosa traiecta ratum duxit, ut Sequanam usque procederet. Quo dum tenderet, Hilduinus abbas Sancti Dionysii et Gerardus comes Parisii civitatis a Karolo deficientes fide frustrata ad illum venerunt. Quod quidem Pippinus filius Bernardi regis Langobardorum ceterique cernentes elegerunt potius more servorum fidem omittere, iuramenta contemnere, quam ad modicum tempus facultates relinquere, ac per hoc fide relicta quos supra memoravimus secuti eidem se dederunt.

At the same time, when Lothar was returning from Louis, and all on this side of the Carbonaria were coming to him, the Meuse having been crossed, he judged it settled that he should proceed as far as the Seine. As he was making for that, Hilduin, abbot of Saint-Denis, and Gerard, count of the city of Paris, deserting Charles, with their pledged faith frustrated, came to him. Which indeed Pippin, son of Bernard, king of the Langobards, and the rest, perceiving, chose rather, after the manner of slaves, to abandon faith, to contemn oaths, than to relinquish their resources for a short time; and through this, with faith abandoned, following those whom we have mentioned above, they gave themselves to the same.

Hinc quoque Lodharius magnanimis effectus Sequanam excessit, praemittens more solito, qui ad defectionem inter Sequanam et Ligerem degentes partim minis, partim blanditiis subducerent. Ipse quoque, uti consueverat, lento itinere subsecutus Carnutenam civitatem tendebat. Cumque Teodericum, Ericum et hos qui illum sequi deliberaverant ad se venturos didicisset, spe multitudinis suae fretus, Ligerem usque ut procederet, deliberavit; Karolus quoque a fuga, qua Pippinum et suos disperserat, reversus et, quoniam, matrem ubi tuto relinqueret, non habebat, pariter ad Franciae partes properabant.

Hence also
Lotharius, rendered magnanimous, crossed the Seine, sending ahead, in the usual manner,
those who might draw to defection those dwelling between the Seine and the Loire, partly by threats, partly
by blandishments to draw them off. He also, as he was accustomed, with a slow march
following up was making for the Carnutan city. And when he had learned that Theoderic, Eric, and those
who had resolved to follow him would come to him, relying on the hope of his multitude,
he resolved to advance as far as the Loire; Charles too, from the rout,
by which he had scattered Pippin and his men, having returned, and, since he had no place where he might
leave his mother safely, they were hastening together to the parts of Francia.

4. Audiens autem Karolus interea, quod hi omnes, quos supra memoravimus, ab eo defecissent, et Lodharius cum ingenti exercitu persequi illum usque ad internecionem statuisset, hinc autem Pippinus et hinc Brittones infesti erant, quid facerent, concilium convocant, ineunt deque his omnibus deliberaturi, facile consilium perfacile inventum est. Et quoniam nihil praeter vitam et corpora reliquum habebant, elegerunt potius nobiliter mori quam regem proditum derelinquere. Quam ob rem obviam Lodhario pergunt, atque Aurilianensem urbem hinc inde petunt.

4. Charles, meanwhile, hearing that all those whom we have mentioned above had defected from him, and that Lothar had resolved to pursue him with a huge army to the point of extermination, and that on this side Pippin and on that side the Bretons were hostile, they convene a council to decide what they should do; they enter upon it to deliberate about all these matters, and a plan—very easy—was found. And since they had nothing left except life and their bodies, they chose rather to die nobly than to abandon the king, betrayed. For which reason they go to meet Lothar, and from both sides they make for the city of Orléans.

Castra ponunt distantes ab invicem plus minus leuwas VI, legatos invicem dirigunt; et Karolus quidem sola iustitia pacem petebat, Lodharius vero, quo astu absque proelio illum decipere ac superare posset, operam dabat. Quod cum peragere strenue resistentibus diffideret, sperans vires suas, uti coeperant, cotidie accrescere, quam, cum Karolo decrevissent, facilius illum subiugari posse arbitrabatur. Hac autem spe deceptus ea pactione proelium diremit, ut cederet Karolo Aquitania, Septimania, Provincia et decem comitatus inter Ligerim et Sequanam, eo videlicet modo, ut his contentus interim inibi esset, donec Atiniacum VIII.

They pitch camp, distant from one another
more or less 6 leagues, they send envoys to each other; and Charles indeed sought peace on justice alone,
but Lothair was applying himself to find by what cunning he could deceive and overcome him without battle.
Since he despaired of carrying this out with them resisting stoutly, hoping that his forces, as they had begun,
would increase daily, while with Charles they had diminished, he judged that he could more easily subjugate him.
But deceived in this hope, he broke off the battle by this pact: that Aquitaine, Septimania, Provence,
and ten counties between the Loire and the Seine should be yielded to Charles, namely on this condition,
that, content with these, he should meanwhile remain there, until Attigny on the 8.

Id. Maias conveniant; quasi quidem communi consensu utrorumque utilitatem praevidere ac statuere velle promisit. Primores quoque partium Karoli cernentes negotium vires suas excedere maximeque timebant, ne forte proelio commisso in tanta paucitate regem suum salvare difficile possent - erat enim spes cunctis non modica indolis eius -; quam ob rem statutis eo tenore consentiunt, ut deinceps Lodharius Karolo ita fidus amicus sit, sicut frater per iustitiam fratri esse debet, et regna, quae illi deputabat, quieta habere faceret ac interim super Lodhuwicum hostiliter ire dedisset; aliter autem iure quod iuraverant absoluti esse deberent. Qua quidem arte et regem suum a periculis subtrahunt et se mox a sacramento absolvunt.

On the Ides of May let them convene; as though indeed by common
consent he promised to wish to foresee and to establish the utility of both parties. The leading men also of Charles’s party, perceiving that the business exceeded their forces,
and they greatly feared lest, if a battle were joined, in so great a paucity they might with difficulty save their king — for there was for all no small hope in his disposition —,
for which reason, stipulations of this tenor being set, they agree that henceforth Lothar shall be to Charles a faithful friend, as a brother by justice ought to be to a brother, and
that he should cause the realms which he assigned to him to be kept in quiet, and in the meantime should grant leave to go in hostile fashion against Louis; otherwise, by right of what they had sworn,
they ought to be absolved. By this art indeed they both withdraw their king from dangers
and soon absolve themselves from the oath.

Nam antequam idem, qui haec iuraverant, domo egrederentur, aliquos ex his qui aderant subducere ab illo temptavit et in crastinum quosdam suorum recepit. Insuper et in regna, quae illi deputaverat, statim direxit et, in quantum potuit, ne illi se subderent, perturbavit et, ut e Provincia ad se venientes exciperet, perrexit et, quemadmodum Lodhuwicum dolo an vi superare posset, intendit.

For before the same men, who had sworn these things, went out from home, he tried to draw away from him some of those who were present, and for the morrow he received back certain of his own. Moreover he immediately directed into the realms which he had deputed to him, and, in so far as he could, he perturbed them so that they might not submit themselves to him, and he proceeded to receive those coming to him from Provence, and he intended how he might overcome Louis by guile or by force.

5. Interea Karolus Aurilianensem urbem veniens Teotbaldum et Warinum cum quibusdam e Burgundia ad se venientes gratanter ac benigne excepit. Hinc autem obviam Bernardo, sicut mandaverat, Nivernensem urbem petit. Sed Bernardus more solito ad illum venire distulit dicens se cum Pippino suisque sacramento firmasse, ut neuter absque alterius consensu cum quolibet quodcumque pactum inire deberet; quam ob rem testatus est ad illos se ire velle, et si efficere posset, ut una secum sui devenirent, bene; sin aliter, soluto iuramento infra dies quindecim ad illum reversurum suaeque dicioni se commissurum esse promisit.

5. Meanwhile Charles, coming to the city of Orléans, graciously and benignly received Theobald and Warinus with
certain men from Burgundy who were coming to him. Thence, to meet Bernard, just as he had commanded, he made for the
city of Nevers. But Bernard, in his accustomed manner, put off coming to him, saying that he had confirmed by oath with
Pippin and his own men that neither should enter into any pact with anyone without the consent of the other; for which
reason he declared that he wished to go to them, and, if he could bring it about that his own would come together with
him, well; otherwise, with the oath released, within fifteen days he would return to him and promised that he would
commit himself to his dominion.

Quam ob rem Karolus Bituricas iterum obviam illi venit. Quo Bernardus veniens cum neutrum fecisset, graviter Karolus ferens seductiones, quas patri fecerat et hactenus illi faciebat, timens, ne aliter illum comprehendere posset, subito in illum irruere statuit. Sed hoc Bernardus, quamquam tarde, praesensit, fugam iniit ac vix evasit.

For which reason Charles came again to meet him at Bourges.
When Bernard, coming there, had done neither, Charles, taking grievously the seductions which he had practiced upon his father and was up to now practicing upon him, fearing that he could not otherwise apprehend him, decided to rush upon him suddenly. But Bernard, although late, perceived this beforehand, took to flight and scarcely escaped.

Karolus autem quosdam e suis stravit, quosdam saucios ac semivivos reliquit, quosdam saucios ac semivivos reliquit, quosdam vero illaesos cepit ac more captivorum custodiri praecepit, suppellectilem autem universam diripere permisit. Hinc quoque Bernardus humilior effectus paulo post supplex ad Karolum venit, dicens et fidelem se illi fuisse et tunc, si liceret, esse voluisset, et deinceps, quamquam hac contumelia affectus esset in futurum fore minime diffideret; quod etsi quilibet aliter dicere vellet, armis se hoc propulsurum promittit. Quibus Karolus credulus effectus ditatum muneribus et gratia in societatem amicitiae suscepit et, ut Pippinum ac suos, uti promiserat, subditos sibi efficere temptaret, direxit.

Charles, however, laid some of his men low, left some wounded and half-alive, left some wounded and half-alive, but took others unhurt and ordered them to be kept under guard in the manner of captives, and he permitted the entire baggage and equipment to be plundered. Then too Bernard, made more humble, a little later came as a suppliant to Charles, saying that he had been faithful to him and that then, if it had been permitted, he would have wished to be so, and that henceforth, although afflicted by this contumely, he would by no means despair of being so in the future; and even if anyone should wish to say otherwise, he promises that he will repel this with arms. By these words Charles, made credulous, received him, enriched with gifts and favor, into the fellowship of friendship, and sent him off to try to make Pippin and his men, as he had promised, subject to himself.

Et his ita compositis Cenomannicam urbem adiit Lantbertum Ericumque una cum ceteris recepturus. Cumque ille illos inibi perhumane reciperet, protinus ad Nomenoium ducem Brittanniorum mittit scire cupiens, si suae se dicioni subdere vellet. Qui adquiescens consiliis plurimorum Karolo munera mittit ac sacramento fidem deinceps servandam illi firmavit.

And with these things thus arranged, he went to the city of the Cenomanni to receive Lambert and Eric together with the others. And when he was receiving them there very humanely, he immediately sends to Nomenoium, duke of the Bretons, wishing to know whether he would be willing to subject himself to his dominion. He, acquiescing to the counsels of many, sends gifts to Charles and by an oath confirmed that loyalty would henceforth be kept to him.

Quibus peractis, quoniam tempus placiti, quod Attiniacum condixerant, appropinquare videbatur, quid consulte ac solida fide sibi suisque agere oporteret, Karolus anxius erat. Ergo participes secretorum convocat, rem omnibus notam replicat ac, quemadmodum a tanta calamitate congruentius se suosque exui posse existimarent, ut aperiretur, deposcit; seque in omnibus publicae utilitati et parere velle, insuper etiam, si oporteret pro ea mortem subire, minime differre fatetur. Quibus cum undique vires crevisse viderentur, reminiscentes insidiarum, quas Lodharius temporibus patris sui patri et Karolo inferre studuerat, quas etiam post obitum patris fratribus suis absque remedio struebat - occurrebant insuper sacramenta, quae tunc nuper fefellerat -, aiebant se omnem iustitiam ab eo libenter consequi velle, sed his indiciis nil boni sperare posse; idcirco sibi undique consultum videri, quocumque modo posset, ad condictum placitum venire minime differret; quodsi frater suus, uti promiserat, communem utilitatem quaerere ac statuere vellet, hoc omnibus notis placere et, ut gratanter reciperetur, congruum esse; sin aliter, fretus iustitia ac per hoc auxilio divino suorumque fidelium et, quicquid regni pater suus amborumque fidelium consensu illi dederat, obtinere omni virtute non neglegat.

With these things accomplished, since the time of the placitum, which they had appointed at Attigny, seemed to be approaching, Charles was anxious as to what, advisedly and with solid faith, it was proper for him and his own to do. Therefore he summons the participants in his secrets, rehearses the matter known to all, and demands that it be laid open how they judged that he and his men could more fittingly be stripped out of so great a calamity; and he confesses that in all things he wishes to obey the public utility, and, moreover, that, if it should be necessary, to undergo death for it, he by no means delays. As to these men, since on every side the forces seemed to have grown, recalling the plots which Lothar, in the time of their father, had been striving to bring against their father and against Charles, and which even after their father’s death he was weaving for his brothers without remedy—moreover there came to mind the oaths which he had then lately deceived—they said that they wished gladly to obtain all justice from him, but that from these indications they could hope nothing good; therefore it seemed to them that provision for themselves was called for on every side, that he should by no means delay to come to the appointed placitum in whatever way he could; but if his brother, as he had promised, should wish to seek and establish the common utility, this pleased all who were cognizant and it was fitting that he be gratefully received; but if otherwise, relying on justice and through this on divine aid and on that of his faithful men, he should by no means neglect with all valor to maintain whatever of the realm his father, by the consent of both parties of the faithful, had given to him.

6. Ergo omnes Aquitanos, qui suae parti favebant, una cum matre post se venire praecepit, insuper, quicumque e Burgundia nec non et inter Ligerem et Sequanam sui iuris esse vellent, similiter fecit. Idem autem ipse una cum his qui per praesens aderant, quamquam difficile videretur, praefatum iter arripuit. Cumque Sequanam venisset, repperit Guntboldum, Warnarium, Arnulfum, Gerardum nec non et omnes a Carbonariis et infra comites, abbates, episcopos, ob hoc videlicet a Lodhario inibi relictos, ut si absque suo consensu transire vellet, minime posset.

6. Therefore he ordered all the Aquitanians who favored his side, together with his mother, to come after him;
moreover, whoever from Burgundy and likewise between the Loire and the Seine wished to be under his jurisdiction, he did similarly. And he himself, together with those who were present at the moment, although it seemed difficult, undertook the aforesaid journey.
And when he had come to the Seine, he found Gundobold, Warnarius, Arnulf, Gerard, and likewise all the counts, abbots, bishops from the Carbonaria and below, left there by Lothar for this purpose: that, if he should wish to cross without his consent, he might by no means be able.

Accedebat insuper, quod amnis inundans vada ubique denegaverat, custodes autem fluminis omnes naves aut contriverant aut certe submerserant, Gerardus quoque pontes, quoscumque repperit, destruxit. Igitur supra modum transitus difficilis effectus non modicam transire cupientibus importabat molestiam. Cum autem tot difficultatibus animi multimodis agitarentur consiliis, tandem mercatorum naves ab ostio, quo Sequana mare influit, ferventi aestu abductae propterque Rotomacensem urbem expositae nuntiantur.

Moreover there was added, that the river,
inundating, had denied fords everywhere, and the guardians of the river had either crushed all the ships or at any rate submerged them, and Gerard too the bridges, whichever
he found, destroyed. Therefore, the passage made beyond measure difficult, brought no small annoyance to those wishing to cross. But when, by so many difficulties, their minds were being agitated by counsels of many kinds, at last the merchants’ ships—carried off by the fervent tide from the mouth by which the Seine flows into the sea—and set ashore near the city of Rouen, are reported.

Quo veniens harum duas minus de XXXta Karolus armato milite complet, idemque ingressus praemittit, qui se venturum praenuntient, unicuique volenti delicta cedens, nolentibus autem, ut habeant regnumque a Deo sibi datum illi relinquant. Quae dum sprevissent, classisque appropinquare videretur, crucem, in qua iuraverant, et Karolum ut cognoverunt, relicto litore protinus fugerunt. Quos, quoniam in traiciendo equi moram fecerant, consequi nequibat, ad Sanctum Dionysium laudis obsecrationisque causa iter direxit; quo veniens comperit, quod hi, quos fuga disperserat, in unum una cum Arnulfo et Gerardo ceterisque coissent et super Teutbaldum, Warinum, Otbertum ceterosque.

Coming there, Charles fills two fewer than 30 of these with armed soldiery, and, having entered, he sends ahead those who should announce in advance that he is going to come, granting to each willing person remission of offenses, but for the unwilling, that they have to leave to him the kingdom granted to him by God. When they spurned these terms, and the fleet seemed to be approaching, as soon as they recognized the cross on which they had sworn and Charles, they immediately fled, leaving the shore. Since, in crossing, the horses had caused delay, he could not overtake them; he directed his route to Saint Denis for the sake of praise and supplication; and, coming there, he learned that those whom flight had dispersed had gathered into one together with Arnulf and Gerard and the others, and against Theutbald, Warinus, Otbert, and the rest.

qui, uti mandatum fuerat, ad Karolum veniebant, irruere vellent. Quam ob rem ad Sanctum Germanum causa orationis perrexit ac per totam noctem iter faciens aurora delucescente, ubi Luva Sequanae confluit, Warinum cum sociis salvum recepit. Ac sic uno eodemque itinere Senonicam adiit urbem.

who, as it had been mandated, wanted to rush upon those who were coming to Charles.
For which reason he went to Saint Germanus for the sake of prayer, and, traveling through the whole night, with dawn growing light, where the Luva flows together with the Seine, he received Warin with his companions safe.
And thus by one and the same route he approached the city of Sens.

Hinc noctu consurgit per Uttam iter faciens speransque, uti nuntiatum illi fuerat, quos supra memoravimus in eodem saltu consistere; disposuerat enim, ubicumque et qualitercumque posset, supra illos irruere. Quod et utique fecisset, nisi sollicitis vitae mors imminens pro foribus nuntiaretur; quam ob rem paene cuncti supra modum exterriti, quo quisque valuit, fugam iniit; quos quoniam Karolus consequi non potuit sociis equisque fessis, cenam Domini quieti indulgens Tricasinorum civitatem in crastinum adiit.

Thence he rises by night, making a journey through Utta hoping, as it had been announced to him, that those whom we have mentioned above were standing fast in the same forest; for he had disposed, wherever and however he could, to rush upon them. And he would indeed have done this, had not imminent death, at the very doors, been announced to men anxious for life; wherefore nearly all, terrified beyond measure, each as he was able, took to flight; whom, since Charles could not overtake, his companions and horses being weary, indulging quiet for the Lord’s Supper, he went on the morrow to the city of the Tricassini.

7. Eodem tempore, dum haec quae praemisimus a Karolo exsequerentur Lodharius, uti praefatum est, dolo an vi Lodhuvicum aut subdere aut, quod mavult, perdere posset, tota mente tractabat. In quo negotio congrue Otgarium Magontiae sedis episcopum et Adhelbertum Metensium comitem convocat; habebat enim uterque Lodhuvicum ad mortem usque exosum. Iam enim Adhelbertus ex infirmitate, qua paene per annum detentus fuerat, velut in supplementum fratricidii respiraverat; erat enim eo in tempore ita prudens consilio, ut sententiam ab eo prolatam non quilibet mutare vellet.

7. At the same time, while the things which we have premised were being executed by Charles, Lothar, as was aforesaid, was deliberating with his whole mind whether by guile or by force he could either subject Louis or, what he preferred, destroy him. In this business he suitably convokes Otgar, bishop of the see of Mainz, and Adhelbert, count of Metz; for each of them held Louis hated unto death. For already Adhelbert, from the infirmity by which he had been detained for nearly a year, had, as it were, breathed again as a supplement of fratricide; for at that time he was so prudent in counsel that not just anyone would wish to change a sentence brought forth by him.

Cuius instinctu Lodharius collectam hinc inde infinitam multitudinem Rhenum traiecit, praemittens more solito qui minis blanditiisque pendulam plebem subducere temptarent. Timens autem populus, qui cum Lodhuwico erat, ne tantum exercitum ferre valeret, partim defecti ad Lodharium transeunt, partim fugam ineunt ac Lodhuwicum desolatum relinquunt. Qui, quoniam omne suffragium aliud undique deerat, cum perpaucis abiit et in Baioariam se recepit.

At his instigation Lothar, having gathered from here and there an infinite multitude, crossed the Rhine, sending ahead, as was his custom, those who would attempt by threats and blandishments to draw away the pendulous populace. But the people who were with Louis, fearing lest they could bear so great an army, partly, defecting, pass over to Lothar, partly take to flight and leave Louis desolate. He, since all other support was lacking on every side, departed with very few and withdrew into Bavaria.

Quod quoniam Lodhuwico contigit, minime deinceps Lodharius aliquid illum praevalere putavit. Igitur Adhelbertum ducem, quem supra memoravimus, ob hoc inibi reliquit, ut et populum sacramentis sibi firmaret, et, si Lodhuwicus ad Karolum ire vellet, nullo modo posset. Ipse vero, quoniam Karolum Sequanam transire reppererat, obviam ire parabat.

Since this befell Louis, Lothar thereafter thought that he would in no way prevail at all. Therefore he left there Duke Adalbert, whom we mentioned above, for this reason: both to secure the people to himself by oaths, and so that, if Louis should wish to go to Charles, he would by no means be able. But he himself, since he had discovered that Charles was crossing the Seine, was preparing to go to meet him.

Velociter quidem praemittit rei veritatem, ubi et cum quibus esset, scire cupiens, Aquis pascha celebraturus.

Quickly indeed he sends ahead the truth of the matter, wishing to know where and with whom he was, at Aachen about to celebrate Pascha.

8. Mira sane ac merito notanda res Karolo in eodem sancto sabbato contigit. Nam neque ipse nec quilibet in suo comitatu quicquam absque quod corpore gerebant et absque armis et equis habebant; cumque de balneo quidem egrederetur et eadem vestimenta, quae exuerat, induere pararet, repente ab Aquitania missi pro foribus adstiterant, qui coronam et omnem ornatum, tam regium quam et quicquid ad cultum divinum pertinebat, ferebant. Quis non miretur paucos et paene ignotos viros tot terrarum spatia, dum ubique omnes rapinae insisterent, tot talenta auri gemmarumque infinitam multitudinem ferre illaesos valuisse?

8. A wondrous thing indeed and worthy to be noted befell Charles on that same Holy Saturday. For neither he nor anyone in his retinue had anything besides what they carried on their person, and besides their arms and horses; and when he was coming out of the bath and was getting ready to put on the same clothes which he had taken off, suddenly men sent from Aquitaine were standing before the doors, who were bearing the crown and every ornament, both royal and whatever pertained to divine worship. Who would not marvel that a few men, and almost unknown, were able to carry unscathed across so many stretches of lands—while everywhere all manner of rapine beset the roads—so many talents of gold and an infinite multitude of gems?

Et, quod maxime mirandum fateor fore, qualiter ad definitum locum vel certe ad statutam diem et horam venire poterant, cum nec idem Karolus, ubi se suosque oporteret, sciebat. Quem quidem eventum haud aliter quam munere ac nutu divino visum est evenire potuisse; ac per hoc commilitonibus stuporem iniecit omnesque maximam ad spem salutis erexit. Hinc vero Karolus cunctaque cohors exsultans ad festa celebranda sese convertit.

And, what I confess will be most to be wondered at, how could they come to the appointed place, or at least to the set day and hour, when not even the same Charles knew where it was fitting for himself and his men to be? Which outcome indeed seemed able to happen in no other way than by a divine gift and nod; and through this he cast stupefaction into his comrades-in-arms and raised all to the greatest hope of salvation. Hence indeed Charles and the whole cohort, exulting, turned to celebrate the feasts.

Expleto autem quod ceperat, missos Lodharii benigne excipiens convivari una secum praecepit; quibus et, ut in crastinum redirent, iniunxit, per suos se responsurum de eo, quod frater suus illi mandaverat, promittens. In legatione vero Lodharii quaerebatur, cur absque suo consensu terminos, quos illi statuerat, excederet; et, quia fecerat, saltem, ubicumque illum reperirent, mandat, ut interim eo loco quiescat, donec illi mandaretur, si ad statutum locum an alio, ubi congruentius illi videretur, venire deberet. Karolus per suos econtra se ob hoc statutos terminos excessisse respondit, quoniam de omnibus bonis sua ex parte illi promissis ac iure iurando firmatis nihil stabile esse permisit.

Having completed what he had undertaken, kindly receiving Lothar’s envoys he ordered them to feast together with him; and he also enjoined them to return on the morrow, promising that through his own men he would give an answer concerning that which his brother had mandated to him. But in Lothar’s legation it was asked why he was exceeding, without his consensus, the boundaries which he had set for him; and, since he had done so, at least, wherever they might find him, he commands that in the meantime he rest in that place, until it should be mandated to him whether he ought to come to the appointed place or to another, where it would seem more congruent to him. Charles, on the other hand, through his men replied that on this account he had exceeded the appointed boundaries, because of all the benefits promised to him on the other’s side and confirmed by oath, he allowed nothing to stand firm.

Nam suorum hominum ultra quod firmatum fuerat sollicitatos quosdam suo iuri adiecit, quosdam vero vita privavit, insuper regna, quae subiecta illi efficere debuit, in quantum valuit, perturbavit et, quod maximum est, in fratrem hostiliter irruit nec non et suffragium a paganis illum quaerere compulit. Verumtamen, quamquam se haec ita haberent, in conventum, quod communi consensu statuerant, venire se velle mandavit; ubi si communem utilitatem, uti promiserat, quaerere ac statuere vellet, sibi placere; sin aliter, de regno, quod Deus paterque suus suorum consensu illi dederat, consiliis suorum fidelium in omnibus secundum Dei voluntatem parere se innotuit. Et his ita compositis idem iter arripuit atque ad praefatum locum pridie quam convenerat praevenit.

For among his men, beyond what had been ratified, he suborned certain persons and added them to his own jurisdiction, some indeed he deprived of life; moreover he perturbed, so far as he was able, the realms which he ought to have made subject to him, and, what is greatest, he rushed upon his brother in hostile fashion and even compelled him to seek suffrage from the pagans. Nevertheless, although these things stood thus, he sent word that he wished to come to the assembly which by common consent they had established; where, if he should wish to seek and to determine the common utility, as he had promised, it would be pleasing to him; but otherwise, as to the kingdom which God and his father had given to him by the consent of his men, he made it known that he would in all things obey the counsels of his faithful according to the will of God. And with these things thus composed, he took up the journey and anticipated, arriving at the aforesaid place the day before that on which it had been agreed to convene.

Quo quidem Lodharius veluti ex consulto venire distulit, verumtamen missos variis querimoniis refertos frequenter mittebat et, ne forte ex improviso Karolus supra illum irruere posset, cavebat.

Whereupon indeed Lothar, as if by deliberate counsel, deferred coming; nevertheless he frequently sent envoys laden with various complaints, and he took precautions lest perchance Charles might be able to rush upon him unexpectedly.

9. Interea legati a Lodhuwico venerant nuntiantes, quod, si sciret, quomodo fieri posset, in illius adiutorium venire vellet. Quo se Karolus et indigere respondit, gratias congruae voluntati egit et, ut hoc accelerare studerent, protinus praefatos missos remisit. Cumque quattuor vel eo amplius dies inibi adventum Lodharii praestolaretur, et ille venire differret, contionem advocat, concilium iniit, quidnam consultius deinceps illi agendum videretur, deliberaturus.

9. Meanwhile envoys from Lodhuwicus had come, announcing that, if he knew how it could be done, he would wish to come into his assistance. To this Karolus replied that he both needed it, gave thanks for the congruous goodwill, and, that they might strive to accelerate this, immediately sent back the aforesaid envoys. And when for four or even more days he was there awaiting the advent of Lodharius, and he deferred to come, he calls an assembly, entered upon a council, to consider what would seem more advisable thereafter for him to do, deliberating.

Quidam autem aiebant, quoniam mater sua una cum Aquitaniis veniebat, obviam illi ire debere; sed maxima pars aut obviam Lodhario iter arripere suadebant, aut certe, ubicumque vellet, adventum illius praestolari debere dicebant; ob hoc quidem maxime, quoniam, si quoquo modo aliorsum iter flectere coepisset, cuncti fugam illum inisse iactarent, et hinc Lodharium et suos audentiores fieri debere, atque hi, qui adhuc causa timoris neutri se copulaverant, ad illum affluere undique sperabant; quod et evenit. Nam, quamquam difficile, praevaluit tamen sententia priorum; quam ob rem Cadhellonicam Karolus adiit urbem, ibique matre una cum Aquitaniis recepta repente nuntiatur, quod Lodhuwicus cum Adhelberto duce Austrasiorum proelio commisso vicisset Rhenoque traiecto ob illius adiutorium, quantocius posset, veniret. Quod cum ocius universis castris omnibus notum fieret, cuncti alacri animo, ut illi obviam irent, suadebant.

Certain men were saying, since his mother was coming together with the Aquitanians, he ought to go to meet her; but the greater part were advising either to seize the journey to go to meet Lothar, or at least, wherever he wished, they said he ought to await his arrival; for this especially, since, if in any way he began to bend his route elsewhere, all would claim that he had entered upon flight, and from this Lothar and his own would have to become bolder, and those who up to now, for fear, had joined themselves to neither side, they hoped would flow to him from every quarter; which also came to pass. For, although with difficulty, nevertheless the opinion of the former prevailed; wherefore Charles approached the Cadhellonic city, and there, his mother together with the Aquitanians having been received, it is suddenly announced that Louis, with Adalbert, duke of the Austrasians, battle having been joined, had conquered and, the Rhine crossed, was coming, for his assistance, as quickly as he could. When this was more speedily made known to the whole camp, all with a lively spirit were urging that they go to meet him.

Lodharius quoque ut haec ita se habere deprehendit, circumfusae plebi Karolum fugam inisse persequique illum, quantocius posset, velle denuntiat; quo quidem nuntio fidos sibi alacriores reddidit, dubiis autem quibusque et affluendi audaciam iniecit et firmiores suae parti reddidit. Cumque Karolus a Lodhario persequi se didicisset, quoniam in difficili loco aquis paludibusque circumfusis castra posuerant, ut absque qualibet difficultate, si Lodharius vellet, congredi possent, protinus obviam illi perrexit. Quae quidem Lodhario ut nuntiata sunt, castra posuit ac veluti fessis equis biduo requiem dedit.

Lotharius also, when he discovered that these things were so, announces to the surrounding populace that Charles had entered upon flight and that he wished to pursue him as quickly as he could; by which message indeed he rendered his faithful more eager, and in all the doubtful he both instilled the audacity of flocking in and made them more steadfast for his party. And when Charles had learned that he was being pursued by Lotharius, since they had pitched camp in a difficult place surrounded by waters and marshes, so that, without any difficulty, if Lotharius should wish, they might come to close combat, straightway he went forth to meet him. And when these things were reported to Lotharius, he pitched camp and, as if for weary horses, he gave a rest of two days.

Iterato itaque cum haec eadem fecissent missosque invicem frequenter mitterent, sed nihil proficui deliberare possent, tandem appropinquantes Lodhuwicus et Karolus conveniunt deque his omnibus in eodem conventu, quae Lodharius absque quolibet moderamine erga se suosque saeviebat, dolendo conferunt, quidve deinceps agendum opportunius videretur, in crastinum deliberaturi. Aurora siquidem delucescente conveniunt, concilium ineunt, in quo multum de tanta calamitate conquirunt. Cumque alteruter, quae quantave et qualia passi a fratre fuerant, referre desissent, universis visum unanimiter parique consensu, tam ex sacrosancto ordine episcoporum quam et laicorum viros nobiles, prudentes, benevolos deligant, per quos, quae pater inter illos statuerat, et quae post obitum patris ab illo passi sint, mandent, insuper obsecrent, ut memor sit Dei omnipotentis et concedat pacem fratribus suis universaeque ecclesiae Dei; cederet cuique, quod patris fratrisque consensu iuste debebatur; insuper etiam, ut iustis precibus acquiesceret, offerrent illi quicquid absque equis et armis in universo exercitu habere videbantur.

Thus, after they had done these same things again and were frequently sending envoys to one another, but could determine nothing profitable, at length, drawing near, Lodhuwicus and Karolus meet, and in the same assembly, grieving, they confer about all these things—how Lodharius, without any moderation, was raging against them and their men—and what thereafter would seem more opportune to be done, intending to deliberate on the morrow. At daybreak indeed they meet, they enter a council, in which they make much inquiry concerning so great a calamity. And when each in turn had set forth what, how great, and of what sort they had suffered from their brother, it seemed to all, unanimously and with equal consent, that they should select both from the sacrosanct order of bishops and from the laity noble, prudent, benevolent men, through whom they should send word of what their father had established between them, and what they had suffered from him after their father’s death; moreover that they should beseech that he be mindful of Almighty God and grant peace to his brothers and to the whole Church of God; that he should cede to each what by the consent of father and brother was justly owed; and, moreover, that, in order that he might acquiesce to just prayers, they would offer him whatever they seemed to have in the whole army, apart from horses and arms.

Et si his monitis obsecrationibusque acquiescere vellet, placere; sin aliter, aiebant se divino ex munere suffragium absque dubio sperare posse, si omne quod iustum est vellent et hoc fratri offerre humiliter studerent. Quae quoniam merito rata videbantur, protinus expleta sunt.

And if he should be willing to acquiesce to these monitions
and obsecrations, it would be pleasing; otherwise, they said that they
could without doubt hope for support from a divine gift, if they were willing
all that is just and strove humbly to offer this to their brother. And since
these things seemed deservedly ratified, they were forthwith fulfilled.

10. Sed haec veluti pro nihilo ducta Lodharius sprevit, per suos se nihil absque proelio velle mandavit confestimque obviam Pippino, qui ab Aquitania ad illum veniebat, iter arripuit. Quod cum ocius didicissent Lodhuwicus et sui, supra modum rem graviter ferentes - erant enim undique graviter tam itineris longitudine quam et proeliis variisque difficultatibus et maxime equorum inopia attriti -, verumtamen, quamquam se haec ita haberent, timentes, ne forte, si ab auxilio fratris frater deficeret, posteris suis indignam memoriam reliquissent; quod quidem ne facerent, elegerunt omni penuriae, etiam, si oporteret, morti potius subire quam nomen invictum amittere. Quam ob rem ex eadem magnanimitate maestitia oppressa, invicem se adhortantes, gaudentes velociterque, ut Lodharium cito consequi possent, ibant.

10. But Lodharius, regarding these things as virtually nothing, spurned them, through his men sent word that he wished nothing except by battle, and immediately seized the road to meet Pippin, who was coming to him from Aquitaine. When Lodhuwicus and his men learned this with speed, taking the matter beyond measure grievously — for they were on all sides grievously worn down both by the length of the journey and by battles and various difficulties, and most of all by a lack of horses — nevertheless, although matters thus stood for them, fearing lest perhaps, if a brother failed a brother in aid, they would leave to their descendants an unworthy memory; in order not to do this, they chose to undergo every penury, and even, if it should be necessary, rather death than to lose their unconquered name. Wherefore, with sadness suppressed by that same magnanimity, exhorting one another, rejoicing and swiftly, that they might quickly overtake Lodharius, they went.

Cumque atque insperate propter urbem Alciodorensem uterque exercitus alter ab altero videretur, confestim Lodharius verens, ne forte fratres sui absque dilatione supra se irruere vellent, armatus castra aliquantulum excessit. Quod quoniam fratres sui facere illum cognoverunt, quosdam castra metantes relinquunt, quosdam secum armatos assumunt et absque dilatione obviam procedunt; missos invicem mittunt pacemque sub nocte componunt. Castra autem ab invicem distabant plus minus leuvas tres, et intereat paucula palus saltusque; ac per hoc erat utrique ad alterum difficilis accessus.

And when, unexpectedly, near the city of Alciodorum, each army came into view of the other, at once Lodharius, fearing lest perchance his brothers might wish without delay to rush upon him, armed, advanced a little beyond the camp. Since his brothers learned that he was doing this, they leave some men laying out the camp, take some armed men with them, and without delay go forward to meet him; they send envoys to one another in turn and arrange a peace by night. The camps, moreover, were distant from each other about three leagues, and between them there lay a small marsh and a wooded pass; and through this it was difficult for each to have access to the other.

Quapropter aurora delucescente Lodhuwicus et Karolus ad Lodharium mittunt, mandant sibi valde displicere, quod illis pacem absque proelio denegaverat; quod etiam, quoniam vellet, et absque qualibet fraude, si fieri deberet, esset. Et primum quidem ieiuniis ac votis Deum invocent, deinde, si ille transire ad illos voluisset, locum transeundi se daturos promittunt, ut omni impedimento sua suorumque ex parte ablato absque qualibet occulta deceptione congredi possent; quae et, si vellet, sacramento firmare praeceperunt, at si nollet, ut eadem illis concederet atque firmare rogaret, petunt. Is autem more solito per suos se responsurum promisit et, ut legati regressi sunt, protinus obviam iter arripuit ac locum, quo castra poneret, Fontaneum petit.

Wherefore, with the dawn growing light, Louis and Charles send to Lothar, bidding that it greatly displeased them that he had denied them peace without battle; and that also, since he wished it, it should be so, even without any fraud, if it ought to be done. And first indeed let them invoke God with fasts and vows; then, if he should be willing to cross over to them, they promise that they will give a place for crossing, so that, every impediment on their own part and that of their men removed, they might be able to meet without any hidden deception; and they also instructed that, if he wished, he confirm these things by an oath; but if he were unwilling, they ask that he concede the same to them and agree to confirm it. He, however, in his accustomed manner promised that he would respond through his men, and, as soon as the legates returned, immediately set out to meet them and sought Fontaneum as the place where he would pitch camp.

Eadem autem die fratres sui post Lodharium iter accelerantes antecesserunt illum et propter vicum quod Tauriacus dicitur castra posuerunt. Crastina die exercitus praeparati ad proelium castra aliquantulum excesserunt. Praemittentes Lodhuwicus ac Karolus Lodhario mandaverunt, ut memor esset fraternae condicionis, sineret ecclesiam Dei et universum populum Christianum pacem habere, concederet illis regna a patre suo consensu concessa, haberet sua sibi non merito, sed sola misericordia a patre illi relicta.

But on the same day his brothers, accelerating the march after Lothar, preceded him and pitched camp near the village which is called Tauriacus. On the next day the armies, prepared for battle, went out a little beyond the camp. Sending ahead, Louis and Charles sent word to Lothar, that he should be mindful of the fraternal compact, that he should allow the Church of God and the whole Christian people to have peace, that he should grant to them the kingdoms granted by his father by consent, that he should keep his own for himself not by merit, but by the sole mercy left to him by his father.

Et in munere offerebant illi quicquid in universo exercitu absque armis et equis habere videbantur; at si id nollet, cedebant illi uterque portionem regni, alter usque Carbonarias, alter vero usque Rhenum; quod et si renueret, universam Franciam aequa lance dividerent, et quicquid horum vellet suae dicionis esset. Ad quod Lodharius more solito per suos se quicquid placeret notare respondit, mittensque per praesens Drogonem, Hugonem et Hegibertum mandat non illos aliquid tale antea illi mandasse, ad quod considerandum spatium habere se velle aiebat; re autem vera Pippinus non venerat, illum hac dilatione exspectare volebat. Verumtamen Ricuinum, Hirmenaldum et Fredericum sacramento firmare praecepit, quod pro nulla re alia has indutias peteret, praeter quod commune profectum tam illorum quam et universae plebis, sicut iustitiam inter fratres et populum Christi oportebat, quaerere volebat.

And as a munus they were offering him whatever in the whole army they seemed to possess apart from arms and horses; but if he would not will that, each yielded to him a portion of the kingdom, the one as far as the Carbonaria, the other indeed as far as the Rhine; and if he should refuse that too, they would divide all Francia with an even balance, and whichever of these he wished would be under his dominion. To this Lodharius, in his accustomed manner, replied through his own men that he would note down whatever pleased him, and, sending then Drogo, Hugo, and Hegibert, he declared that they had not previously delivered to him anything of the sort, and said he wished to have a span of time to consider it; but in truth Pippinus had not come—he wished by this delay to await him. Nevertheless he ordered Ricuinus, Hirmenaldus, and Fredericus to confirm by oath that for no other matter was he seeking this truce, except that he wished to pursue the common profit both of them and of the whole plebs, as justice between brothers and the people of Christ required.

Quo quidem sacramento Lodhuwicus et Karolus creduli effecti ea die et in crastinum, insuper etiam usque in horam secundam diei tertii, quod evenit VII. Kal. Iulii, pace utrorumque ex parte iure iurando firmata, ad castra redeunt, missam vero sancti Iohannis in crastinum celebraturi.

Made trusting by this oath, Lodhuwicus and Karolus, for that day and the next, and moreover even up to the second hour of the third day—which occurred on the 7th day before the Kalends of July (June 25)—with the peace of both parties ratified by a sworn oath, return to the camp, intending on the morrow to celebrate the Mass of Saint John.

Pippino quoque eadem die Lodharius in supplementum recepto mandat fratribus suis, quoniam scirent illi imperatoris nomen magna auctoritate fuisse impositum, ut considerent, quatenus eiusdem nominis magnificum posset explere officium; insuper autem haut se libenter utrorumque quaerere profectum. Interrogati autem, si quiddam horum, quae mandaverant, recipere vellet vel si quamlibet finitivam sententiam illis mandasset, nihil sibi horum fuisse iniunctum responderunt. Quam ob rem cum omnis spes iustitiae ac pacis sua ex parte ablata videretur, mandant illi, si melius non invenisset, aut reciperet unum horum, quae illi mandaverant, aut nosset illos in crastinum - quod contigit, sicut praefatum est, VII.

Pippin too, the same day, Lotharius, received as a reinforcement, instructs his brothers, since they knew that the name of emperor had been imposed with great authority, to consider to what extent he could fulfill the magnificent office of that same name; moreover, that he by no means willingly seeks the advancement of both. But when they were asked whether he was willing to accept any of those things which they had enjoined, or whether he had imposed upon them any definitive sentence, they replied that none of these things had been enjoined upon them. Wherefore, since every hope of justice and peace seemed on his part to have been taken away, they command him, if he had not found something better, either to accept one of those things which they had enjoined upon him, or to know that they on the morrow — which befell, as was said above, 7.

Kal. Iulii hora videlicet diei secunda, ad omnipotentis Dei iudicium, quod illis absque illorum voluntate mandaverat, esse venturos. Quae quidem Lodharius solito more insolenter sprevit et visuros se; quid agere deberet, respondit.

on the Kalends of July, namely at the second hour of the day, to the judgment of Almighty God, which he had enjoined upon them without their will, they would come. Which things indeed Lodharius, in his customary manner, insolently spurned, and replied that they would see what he ought to do.

Dum haec super Ligerim iuxta Sanctum Fludualdum consistens scriberem, ecclipsis solis hora prima feria tertia, XV. Kal. Novembris in Scorpione contigit. His ita omissis diluculo Lodhuwicus et Karolus consurgunt, verticem montis castrae Lodharii contigui cum tertia, ut videtur, exercitus parte occupant adventumque eius et horam secundam, ut sui iuraverant, exspectant.

While I was writing these things, standing by the Loire near Saint Fluduald,
a solar eclipse occurred at the first hour on Tuesday, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, in Scorpio.
These things thus omitted, at daybreak Louis and Charles rise,
they occupy the summit of the mountain contiguous to Lothar’s camp with, as it seems, a third part of the army,
and they await his arrival and the second hour, as their own had sworn.

Cumque utrumque adesset, proelium super rivolum Burgundionum magno certamine committunt. Et Lodhuwicus quidem ac Lodharius in loco qui Brittas dicitur strenue confligunt; quo superatus Lodharius terga vertit. Pars autem exercitus, quam Karolus in loco qui Fagit vulgo dicitur excepit, protinus fugit; pars vero, quae in Solennat Adhelardum ceterosque, quibus haud modicum supplementum Domino auxiliante praebui, appetiit, strenue conflixit; quo et utrique vicerunt, sed novissime omnes a parte Lodharii fugerunt.

And when both were present, they joined battle over the rivulet of the Burgundians with great contest. And Louis indeed and Lothar, in the place which is called Brittas, fought stoutly; there Lothar, being overcome, turned his back. But the part of the army which Charles engaged in the place that is commonly called Fagit, fled at once; the part, however, which at Solennat attacked Adhelard and the others, to whom I, with the Lord helping, furnished no small reinforcement, fought stoutly; where each of the two prevailed, but at the very last all fled on Lothar’s side.

Qua finem primi certaminis dedit Lodharius, terminetur liber secundus.

Where Lodharius set an end to the first contest, let the second book be ended.