Nithardus: HISTORIARUM LIBRI QUATTUOR

Quoniam sinistrum me quiddam es genere nostro ut audiam pudet, referre praesertim quam maxime piget; quam ob rem imperio haudquaquam malivole contempto, ut finis optatus libri secundi adfuit, per omnia finire hoc opus animus decrevit; sed ne forte quilibet quocumque modo deceptus res nostro in tempore gestas, praeterquam exactae sunt, narrare praesumat, ex his quibus interfui tertium libellum ut adderem acquievi.

Since it shames me to hear some sinister thing from our stock, to report especially it most irks me; for which reason, the command by no means malevolently contemned, as the wished-for end of the second book arrived, my mind decreed to finish this work through and through; but lest perhaps anyone, in whatever way deceived, presume to narrate the things done in our time, otherwise than they were carried through, from those in which I took part a third little book to add I acquiesced.

1. Proelio quidem, uti praefatum est, strenue peracto, quid de palantibus peragere deberetur, Lodhuwicus et Karolus in eodem campo deliberare coeperunt. Et quidam ira correpti persequi hostes suadebant, quidam autem, et maxime reges, miserantes fratris plebisque et, ut iudicio Dei et hac plaga repressi ab iniqua cupiditate resipiscerent, et Deo donante deinceps unanimes in vera iustitia devenirent, piis visceribus solito more optabant. In quo negotio Dei omnipotentis misericordia ut praestolarentur, suadebant.

1. With the battle indeed, as has been prefaced, vigorously finished, what concerning the stragglers
ought to be carried out, Louis and Charles began to deliberate on the same field.
And some, seized by wrath, were urging to pursue the enemies, but some, however,
and most of all the kings, pitying their brother and the common people, and, that by the judgment of God and by this
blow, repressed from iniquitous cupidity, they might come to their senses, and, God granting, thereafter
be unanimous in true justice, with pious hearts, after their accustomed manner, were wishing. In which matter they were advising that they should await the mercy of almighty God.

Quibus cetera multitudo assentientes a proelio et praeda discesserunt et fere mediante die ad castra redeunt, quid deinceps consultius acturum videretur, deliberaturi. Fuit quidem ingens numerus praedae et ingens caedes et insuper admirabilis, immo et merito notabilis misericordia tam regum quam et universorum. Nam diversis pro rebus diem dominicum inibi acturos se deliberarunt.

To which the rest of the multitude assenting, they withdrew from battle and booty, and about the middle of the day they return to the camp, to deliberate what it would seem more advisable to do next. There was indeed a vast amount of booty and a vast slaughter, and, moreover, an admirable—nay, and deservedly notable—mercy both of the kings and of all. For for various reasons they resolved that they would there observe the Lord’s Day.

In quo missa peracta amicos et inimicos, fideles et infideles pariter sepulturae tradebant, plaga correptos ac semivivos eodem modo pro viribus ex animo refovebant. Post hos qui fuga evaserant miserunt offerentes, si reverti sana fide vellent, omnia delicta remitti. Post haec reges populique super fratre populoque Christiano dolentes percontari episcopos coeperunt, quid agere super hoc negotio deberent.

In which, the Mass having been completed, they consigned friends and enemies, faithful and infidels alike, to sepulture, and those stricken by the blow and half-alive they likewise, to the extent of their strength, refreshed from the heart. After this they sent to those who had escaped by flight, offering that, if they wished to return with sound faith, all delicts would be remitted. After these things the kings and the peoples, grieving over their brother and the Christian people, began to inquire of the bishops what they ought to do concerning this business.

Quam ob rem unanimes ad concilium omnes episcopi confluunt, inventumque in conventu publico est, quod pro sola iustitia et aequitate decertaverint, et hoc Dei iudicio manifestum effectum sit, ac per hoc immunis omnis Dei minister in hoc negotio haberi, tam suasor quam et effector, deberetur; at quicumque consciens sibi aut ira aut odio aut vana gloria aut certe quolibet vitio quiddam in hac expeditione suasit vel gessit, esset vere confessus secrete secreti delicti et secundum modum culpae diiudicaretur; verumtamen in veneratione ac laude tantae declarationis iustitiae pro remissione delictis mortuorum fratrum suorum - in eo, quod imperfecti peccatis intervenientibus se noverant, ut in multis volentes nolentesque delinquebant - ut suo adiutorio ab his exuti liberarentur; insuper autem uti hactenus in iustitia adiutor et protector illis Deus exstitit, ita ut deinceps ubique exsisteret; proque his omnibus triduanum ieiunium inventum immoque libenter ac celebre celebratum est.

Wherefore unanimously all the bishops flock to a council, and it was found in the public assembly that they had contended for justice and equity alone, and that this had been made manifest by God’s judgment; and through this every minister of God in this affair, both adviser and also executor, ought to be held immune; but whoever is conscious to himself that by anger or hatred or vain glory or surely by any vice he urged or did something in this expedition, should truly have confessed secretly the secret offense and be judged according to the mode of the fault; nevertheless, in veneration and praise of so great a declaration of justice, for remission to the sins of their dead brothers — in that they knew themselves to be imperfect, with sins intervening, so that in many things, willing and unwilling, they were delinquent — that by their aid, stripped from these, they might be freed; moreover, that just as hitherto in justice God had stood forth to them as helper and protector, so henceforth he should be everywhere; and for all these things a three‑day fast was determined and indeed was gladly and as a celebrated observance celebrated.

2. His ita rebus peractis Lodhuwicus, ut Rhenum peteret, decrevit, Karolus autem diversis pro rebus et maxime propter Pippinum, ut illum sibi subdere studeret, in Aquitaniam ut proficisceretur, ratum duxit. Nam Bernardus dux Septimaniae, quamquam a loco praedicti proelii plus minus leuvas tres defuerit, neutri in hoc negotio supplementum fuit; victoriam autem ut Karoli esse didicit, filium suum Willelmum ad illum direxit et, si honores, quos idem in Burgundia habuit, eidem donare vellet, ut se illi commendaret, praecepit. Insuper iactabat se posse nec non et aiebat, quod Pippinum una cum suis Karolo foedere, quo valeret, subdere vellet.

2. With these matters thus accomplished, Louis decided to make for the Rhine, but Charles, for various reasons and chiefly on account of Pippin—so that he might strive to bring him under his own control—deemed it proper to set out into Aquitaine. For Bernard, duke of Septimania, although he was more or less three leagues distant from the place of the aforesaid battle, was a reinforcement to neither side in this business; but when he learned that the victory was Charles’s, he sent his son William to him and instructed him that, if he were willing to bestow upon him the honors which that same man had held in Burgundy, he should commend himself to him. Moreover he boasted that he could, and indeed said that he would, subject Pippin together with his men to Charles by a pact that would be effective.

Quam legationem benigne excepit et, sicut postulaverat, per omnia concessit, monens, ut de Pippino et suis quod promiserat, in quantum posset, ut perficeretur, operam daret. Cumque adversa undique propulsa viderentur, ac spes prosperitatis cuique hinc inde faveret, Lodhuwicus cum suis Rhenum petiit, Karolus vero una cum matre Ligerim adiit. Res autem publica inconsultius, quam oporteret, omissa; quo quemque voluntas rapuit, perfacile omissus abscessit.

Which legation he received benignly and, just as he had requested, granted in all things, advising that, concerning Pippin and his own, what he had promised, he should, insofar as he could, take pains that it be brought to completion. And when adversities seemed to have been repelled on every side, and hope of prosperity favored each on this side and that, Louis with his men made for the Rhine, but Charles together with his mother went to the Loire. But the commonwealth was neglected more inconsiderately than was fitting; wherever each one’s will snatched him, he withdrew quite easily.

Quod quidem Pippinus audiens paulo ante desideratum cum illo foedus inire distulit. Bernardus quidem ad illum venit, sed, ut illi se commendaret, minime acquievit. Quidam tamen a Pippino desciverunt, et hoc tantum praefata expeditio Karolo profuit, quod illos sibi foederatos recepit.

Which indeed Pippin, on hearing this, deferred entering into the treaty with him which he had desired a little before. Bernard indeed came to him, but, that he should commend himself to him, he by no means agreed. Certain men, however, defected from Pippin, and this only did the aforesaid expedition profit Charles, that he received those men as foederates to himself.

Interea Adhelardus ceterique, quos Karolus ad Francos direxerat scire cupiens, si ad illum reverti vellent, Carisiacum venientes, quo illi ut missos dirigeret mandaverant, perpaucos obviam habuerunt; qui hoc dicebant, si idem Karolus ad praesens esset, ad illum venire minime differrent; aliter autem nescire aiebant, utrum viveret an non. Iactaverant enim hi qui partis Lodharii sentiebant in proelio Karolum cecidisse, Lodhuwicum vulneratum et fuga lapsum abisse. Quapropter inconsultum aiebant in incertis rebus aliquod foedus cum quolibet inire debere.

Meanwhile Adhelard and the rest, whom Charles had sent to the Franks, being eager to know whether they wished to return to him, came to Carisiacum, where they had ordered him to direct the envoys, and they met very few; these said this: if that same Charles were present, they would by no means delay to come to him; otherwise, they said they did not know whether he was alive or not. For those who favored the party of Lothar had bandied about that in the battle Charles had fallen, Louis had been wounded and had gone off, having slipped away in flight. Wherefore they said it was unadvised, in uncertain affairs, to enter any treaty with anyone.

At Guntboldus ceterique coadunati supra praefatos Karoli missos irruere se simulabant, et utique fecissent, si ausi essent. Quapropter ad Karolum Adhelardus et ceteri miserunt mandantes, ut, quantocius posset, venire satageret, quatenus et illis adiutorium praeberet et, si Franci, uti aiebant, ad illum venire vellent, scire posset. Ipsi vero Parisiacam civitatem adeunt adventum Karoli praestolaturi.

But Guntboldus and the others assembled together against the
aforementioned envoys of Charles were pretending to rush upon them, and assuredly they would have, if they had
dared. Wherefore to Charles Adhelard and the others sent, directing that,
as quickly as he could, he should strive to come, so that he might both offer help to them
and, if the Franks, as they said, should wish to come to him, he might know it. They themselves, however,
go to the Parisian city to await the advent of Charles.

Quod cum Karolo nuntiaretur, protinus his in partibus iter direxit. Ad Sequanam autem ut pervenit, Adhelardum una cum ceteris in Spedonna obviam habuit, et quamquam propter conventum, quod cum fratre in Lingonicam urbem Kal. Sept.

When this was reported to Charles, he straightway directed his journey into these parts. But when he reached the Seine, he encountered Adhelard together with the others at Spedonna; and although, on account of the assembly which he had arranged with his brother for the Lingonian city on the Kalends of September,

condixerat, quoniam imminebat, anxius esset, ratum duxit, ut saltem citato cursu per urbem Belvacensem ac deinde per Compendium et Suessionis, hinc per Remensem et Cadelonensem Lingonicam peteret urbem, quatenus eo tenore id, quod cum fratre statuerat, observare studeret et, si quilibet e Francis ad illum venire vellet, posset. Franci vero eandem paucitatem, quam et Aquitanii spreverant, spernentes variis fictionibus illi se per praesens subdere distulerunt. Quod ut Karolus cognovit, praefatum iter accelerare coepit ... Remensem urbem petiit; quo cum venisset, nuntium recepit, quod Lodhuwicus ad conventum, quod in Lingonicam urbem condixerant, venire non posset, eo quod Lodharius in regnum illius hostili manu irruere vellet; mandaverant etiam Huc avunculus eius nec non et Gislebertus comes Mansuariorum, si in illis partibus isset, ad illum se una cum ceteris esse venturos.

since the appointment which he had agreed upon was imminent, he was anxious, he deemed it ratified that at least, at a rapid course, through the city of Beauvais and then through Compiègne and Soissons, thence through Reims and Châlons, he should make for the Lingonian city, so that on that tenor he might strive to observe what he had established with his brother and, if anyone of the Franks should wish to come to him, he could.
But the Franks, spurning the same paucity which the Aquitanians too had despised, deferred submitting themselves to him for the present by various fictions. When Charles learned this, he began to accelerate the aforesaid journey ... he sought the city of Reims; when he had come there, he received a message that Louis could not come to the convent (assembly) which they had appointed in the Lingonian city, for the reason that Lothar wished to rush with a hostile hand into his kingdom; his uncle Hugh, and likewise Gislebert, count of the Mansuarians, had also sent word that, if he should go into those parts, they would come to him together with the others.

3. Ergo tam pro fratris adiutorio quam et, ut hos, si ad illum venire vellent, recipere posset, ad Sanctum Quintinum iter direxit. Quo quidem Hugonem, sicut mandaverat, obviam habuit et inde in partes Traiecti iter direxit. Lodharius autem, ut haec audivit, omisso Lodhuwico, quem paulo ante persequi statuerat, a Warmatia ad conventum, quod Teotonisvillam indixerat, iter arripuit et, qualiter super Karolum irrueret, intendit.

3. Therefore both for his brother’s assistance and also so that he might be able to receive these men, if they should wish to come to him, he directed his journey to Saint Quentin. There indeed he found Hugh coming to meet him, as he had ordered, and from there he directed his route into the parts of Traiectum. Lothar, however, when he heard this, abandoning Louis, whom he had a little before resolved to pursue, set out from Worms to the assembly which he had proclaimed at Thionville, and he fixed his intent on how he might rush upon Charles.

Quod so cum Karolus in Wasiticum didicisset, Hugonem et Adhelardum ad Gislebertum una cum ceteris, quos foedere, quo valerent, sibi adnecterent, direxit. Rabanonem etiam ad Lodhuwicum dirigens mandat, qualiter pro suo adiutorio illis in partibus isset, quod Lodharius audiens, illo omisso, supra se cum omnibus copiis ire pararet, monetque ac deprecatur, ut, qantocius posset, solito more adiutorium illi praebere studeret. Insuper autem Exemenonem venerabilem episcopum ad Lodharium direxit, solito more humiliter praecepit, ut roget, ut obsecret, meminerit, quod frater filiolusque eius sit; meminerit, quae pater inter illos statuerat, quae tam is quam et sui inter illos iuraverant; meminerit, quod novissime indicio Dei inter illos voluntas eius declarata sit; et si horum omnium recordari nolit, cesset a persecutione sanctae Dei ecclesiae, misereatur pauperum, viduarum orfanorumque et regnum a patre suo consensu sibi datum ut ingrediatur omittat, ne forte iterato populum Christianum ad caedem mutuam confluere compellat.

When Charles had learned this in Wasiticum, he sent Hugh and Adalhard to Gislebert together
with the others, whom, by a pact, so far as they could, they might attach to himself. He also, sending Rabanus to Louis, instructs him how he had gone into those parts for his support; which, when Lothar heard, leaving him aside, he prepared to go against him with all his forces, and he warns and beseeches that, as quickly as he could, he should strive to provide him the usual aid. Moreover he sent Exemenon, the venerable bishop, to Lothar, and as usual humbly ordered,
that he ask, that he entreat, that he remember that he is his brother and his godson;
let him remember what their father established between them, what both he and his men had sworn between them; let him remember that most recently by the judgment of God His will had been declared between them; and if he is unwilling to recall all these things, let him cease from the persecution of the Holy Church of God, let him have pity on the poor, the widows, and the orphans, and let him omit to enter upon the kingdom given to him by his father’s consent, lest perhaps he compel the Christian people once again to flock to mutual slaughter.

Et his ita compositis idem ipse Parisiacam urbem adiit tam fratris sui Lodhuwici adventum quam et ceteros fideles suos, quos undique convocaverat, praestolaturus. Quod cum Lodharius didicisset, ad eandem urbem iter direxit; habebat enim tam Saxonum quam et Austrasiorum nec non et de Alamannis partem haud modicam secum horumque auxilio praemaxime confisus ad Sanctum Dionysium venit. Reppererat autem inibi naves plus minus XX; insuper quoque Sequana, uti mense Septembrio solet, exigua erat transitumque perfacilem praestabat.

And with these things thus arranged, that very same man went to the Parisian city to await both the arrival of his brother Louis and also his other faithful followers, whom he had convoked from all sides. When Lothar had learned this, he directed his journey to the same city; for he had with him both Saxons and Austrasians, and likewise no small part from the Alamanni, and, relying most of all on the help of these, he came to Saint Dionysius. He had found there more or less 20 ships; moreover the Seine, as it is wont in the month of September, was low and afforded a very easy crossing.

Quam ob rem iactabant se sui facile transire posse et hoc utique simulabant se maxime velle. Ergo Karolus quosdam Parisium et Milidonem custodiri praecepit, quosdam vero, ubicumque vada vel navigia esse noverat, residere fecit; ipse vero e regione Sancti Dionysii iuxta Sanctum Fludualdum castra in meditullio posuit, ut et Lodhario, si ita oporteret, transitum prohibere aut, si alicubi super suos irruere vellet, illis succurrere posset. Et ut perfacile dinosceretur, quo in loco adiutorium praeberi deberet, more maritimo signa in locis congruis atque custodias deputavit.

For which reason his men boasted that they could easily cross, and indeed they simulated that they especially wished this. Therefore Charles ordered that certain men keep watch over Paris and Melun, while others, wherever he knew there were fords or boats, he caused to take up station; but he himself, over against Saint Dionysius, near Saint Cloud, pitched camp in the middle ground, so that he might both prevent Lothar’s crossing, if it were fitting so to do, or, if he should wish to make an attack anywhere upon his own, be able to succor them. And in order that it might be very easily discerned in what place assistance ought to be provided, he appointed signals and watches in suitable places, in maritime fashion.

Insuper autem Sequana - mirabile dictu - dum nos nusquam eo in tempore infra duos menses pluvias esse novimus, repente aere sereno tumescere coepit ac sponte his in locis vada ubique prohibuit. Cumque haec ita se haberent, cernens Lodharius transitum inibi undique sibi prohibitum, eo tenore cum Karolo pacem inire se velle mandavit, ut foedus, quod Karolus cum fratre suo Lodhuwico sacramentis firmaverat, omisisset, et ille econtra foedus, quod cum Pippino nepote suo similiter sacramentis firmaverat, omitteret; et haberet Karolus a Sequana partem occiduam absque Provinciam et Septimaniam, essentque quasi pace perpetua foederati. Re autem vera sic se utrosque facilius decipere posse putabat omneque imperium hac arte invadere sperabat.

Moreover the Seine — marvelous to say — while we knew that nowhere in that period for two months had there been rains, suddenly, with the air clear, began to swell and of its own accord in these places everywhere forbade the fords. And since matters thus stood, Lothar, seeing that passage there was on all sides denied to him, sent word that he wished to enter into peace with Charles on this tenor: that he should omit the treaty which Charles had confirmed by oaths with his brother Louis, and that he, conversely, should omit the treaty which he had similarly confirmed by oaths with Pippin his nephew; and that Charles should have from the Seine the western part, except Provence and Septimania, and that they should be, as it were, confederated by a perpetual peace. But in truth he thought that thus he could more easily deceive them both and hoped by this artifice to seize the whole empire.

At Karolus respondit se foedus, quod cum fratre suo necessitate coactus inierat, minime violare velle; insuper ut a Mosa usque Sequanam regnum, quod pater illi dederat, nequaquam congruum videretur, ut illi omitteret, praesertim cum tanta nobilitas illum secuta de his regionibus esset, quos in sua fide deceptos esse minime oporteret. Quam ob rem, quoniam hiems aderat, haberet quique honores, quos pater illis dederat, si vellet, mandavit, donec veris tempore, vellent cum paucis, vellent cum omni comitatu, omnes conveniant et, ni statutis aut statuendis concordia concurrat, quid cuique debeatur, armis decernant. Quae quidem Lodharius more solito sprevit et a Sancto Dionysio obviam Pippino, qui ab Aquitania ad illum veniebat, Senones iter direxit; Karolus autem econtra, qualiter Lodhuvicum in adiutorium suum recipere posset, intendit.

But Charles replied that he by no means wished to violate the foedus which, compelled by necessity, he had entered into with his brother; moreover, that it seemed in no way congruent that he should relinquish to him the kingdom from the Meuse as far as the Seine, which his father had given to him, especially since so great a nobility had followed him from these regions, whom it was by no means proper to disappoint in his pledged faith. Wherefore, since winter was at hand, he gave orders—if he wished—that each should hold the honors which their father had given them, until in the springtime, whether they wished with a few or with the whole retinue, all should assemble and, if concord did not converge upon the established or to‑be‑established terms, let them decide by arms what is owed to whom. Which proposals Lothar, in his customary manner, spurned, and from Saint Dionysius he directed his route to Sens to meet Pippin, who was coming to him from Aquitaine; but Charles, on the other hand, aimed at how he might receive Louis into his assistance.

4. Interea nuntiatum est Karolo, quod soror sua Hildigardis Adelgarium quendam ex suis captum haberet et in urbe Laudunensi una secum custodiri fecisset. Qua pro re expeditos ad hoc opus Karolus sibi delegit ac protinus decedente iam die his in partibus festinus perrexit; distabat enim urbs eadem plus minus leuvas XXX. Per totam siquidem noctem iter faciens impediente gelu praevalido, hora fere diei tertia insperate subito sorori et civibus cum infinita multitudine nuntiatur Karolus adesse, omnisque urbs militibus circumdata fore.

4. Meanwhile it was announced to Charles that his sister Hildegard had had a certain Adelgarius, one of his men, seized, and had caused him to be kept under guard with her in the city of Laon. For which reason Charles chose for himself light-armed men for this task and forthwith, the day now declining, hastened on his way into those parts; for that same city was at a distance of about 30 leagues. Indeed making the journey through the whole night, the overpowering frost hindering, at about the third hour of the day it is unexpectedly and suddenly announced to his sister and to the citizens that Charles is present with an infinite multitude, and that the whole city is to be surrounded by soldiers.

Quo quidem nuntio exterriti, quoniam nec evadendi nec aderat spes moenia tuendi, pacem sub una eademque nocte petunt, Adelgarium confestim reddunt et, ut se urbemque absque conflictu in crastinum dedant, cum omni subiectione promittunt. Dum haec agerentur, milites moram huius rei graviter ferentes, insuper laboris taedio, quod praeteritae noctis passi fuerant, permoti in excidium urbis ruere undique coeperunt; essetque procul dubio protinus flammis rapinisque tradita, ni idem Karolus misericordia super ecclesiarum Dei sororisque necnon et populi Christiani permotus minis atque blanditiis horum animos maximo labore compescere studuisset. Quos cum abscedere fecisset, ut soror postulaverat, concessit et Salmonciacum ab urbe discessit.

At this message, terrified, since neither a hope of escaping nor of defending the walls was at hand, they seek peace in the selfsame night,
immediately hand back Adelgarius and, that they may surrender themselves and the city without conflict on the morrow, they promise with all subjection.
While these things were being transacted, the soldiers, taking grievously the delay of this matter, and moreover moved by the weariness of the labor which
they had suffered during the past night, began from every side to rush to the destruction of the city; and it would without doubt at once have been given
over to flames and rapine, had not the same Charles, moved by mercy for the churches of God and for his sister and also for the Christian people,
with threats and blandishments striven with the greatest effort to restrain their spirits. When he had caused them to withdraw, as his sister had requested,
he consented and departed from the city to Salmonciacum.

Crastina quoque die Hildigardis ad fidem suam, sicut spoponderat, venit urbemque illaesam et absque conflictu sui iuris restituit. Sororem suam siquidem Karolus benigne excepit et omnia quae hactenus erga illum deliquerat illi donavit, multisque verbis blande illam allocutus omnem benignitatem, quam frater sorori debet, si deinde benevola erga illum esse vellet, ei perhumane promisit ac quo voluit illam abire concessit. Urbi sua iura statuit et ad suos, quos circa Parisium omiserat, his ita peractis rediit.

On the next day as well Hildigard came to her pledge, as she had vowed, and she restored the city unharmed and without conflict to its own rights. Charles indeed kindly received his sister and forgave to her all the things in which she had offended against him up to now, and, having addressed her sweetly with many words, he very humanely promised to her all benignity which a brother owes a sister, if thereafter she would be benevolent toward him, and he granted that she depart where she wished. For the city he established its own rights, and, after these things were thus accomplished, he returned to his men whom he had left around Paris.

Senones autem Lodharius Pippino recepto, quid agere deberet, anxius erat. Nam Karolus partem exercitus Sequanam traiecit et in saltum qui Pertica vulgo dicitur direxit. Quos quoniam Lodharius vel se vel suos impedire timuit, primum insectari statuit.

At Sens, however, Lothar, with Pepin having been received, was anxious what he ought to do. For Charles ferried part of the army across the Seine and into the woodland which is called the Perche
in the common parlance, he directed. Since Lothar feared that they would hinder either himself or his own, he decided to assail them first.

Qua quidem re sperabat se et hos facile delere et hoc terrore sibi residuos subiugare maximeque Nominoium Brittannorum ducem suo subdere dominatui posse. Sed frustra haec omnia expleturus adiit, dum nihil horum ad effectum perduxit. Nam exercitus Karoli omnis ab eo salvus evasit, insuper ex suis neminem recepit; et Nomenoius omnia quae illi mandaverat insolenter sprevit.

By this plan indeed he was hoping that he could easily
destroy them, and by this terror subdue to himself those remaining, and especially to bring Nomenoius,
duke of the Bretons, under his dominion. But he set about to accomplish all these things in vain,
since he brought none of them to effect. For the entire army of Charles
escaped safe from him; moreover he recovered none of his own; and Nomenoius
insolently spurned all the things that he had enjoined upon him.

His ita se habentibus repente nuntium accepit, quod Lodhuwicus et Karolus una cum ingenti exercitu alter alteri studeret. Cumque se undique rebus adversis circumsaeptum videret, maximo ambitu inaniter expleto a Turones redire coepit et fatigato exercitu tandem fessus Franciam pervenit. Pippinus autem, quod se illi sociaverat, paenitudine correptus Aquitaniam se recepit.

With things standing thus, suddenly
he received news that Louis and Charles, together with a huge army, each was intent upon the other. And when he saw himself on all sides enclosed by adverse circumstances,
with the greatest ambition fruitlessly expended, he began to return from Tours and, with the army fatigued,
at length, weary, he reached Francia. But Pippin, because he had joined himself to him,
seized by repentance, withdrew to Aquitaine.

Interea audiens Karolus, quod Otgarius Maguntiae sedis episcopus una cum ceteris Lodhuwico fratri suo transitum ad se prohibuisset, iter per Tullensem urbem accelerans Elisazam ad Zabarnam introiit; quod cum Otgarius didicisset, una cum ceteris litore relicto abiit, et quo quisque valuit ocius se abdidit.

Meanwhile Charles, hearing that Otgarius, bishop of the see of Mainz, together with the others had barred his brother Louis from passing to him, hastened his march through the city of Toul and entered the Ill at Zabern; and when Otgarius learned this, he, together with the others, left the bank and departed, and each hid himself as swiftly as he could.

5. Ergo XVI. Kal. Martii Lodhuwicus et Karolus in civitate quae olim Argentaria vocabatur, nunc autem Strazburg vulgo dicitur, convenerunt et sacramenta, quae subter notata sunt, Lodhuwicus Romana, Karolus vero Teudisca lingua iuraverunt.

5. Therefore on the 16th day before the Kalends of March Louis and Charles met in the city which once was called Argentaria, but now is commonly called Strazburg, and they swore the oaths which are noted below—Louis in the Roman language, but Charles in the Teudisca tongue.

Ac sic ante sacramentum circumfusam plebem, alter Teudisca, alter Romana lingua allocuti sunt. Lodhuwicus autem, quia maior natu, prior exorsus sic coepit: ,Quotiens Lodharius me et hunc fratrem meum post obitum patris nostri insectando usque ad internecio nem delere conatus sit, nostis. Cum autem nec fraternitas nec Christianitas nec quodlibet ingenium, salva iustitia ut pax inter nos esset, adiuvare posset, tandem coacti rem ad iudicium omnipotentis Dei detulimus, ut suo nutu, quid cuique deberetur, contenti essemus.

And so, before the oath, to the people thronging around,
one in the German, the other in the Roman tongue addressed them. But Louis, since
elder by birth, beginning first, thus began: "As often as Lothar, after the death of our father,
has tried, by hounding us even to extermination, to destroy me and this my brother,
you know. But since neither brotherhood nor Christianity nor any contrivance,
with justice preserved, could help so that there might be peace between us,
at length compelled we brought the matter before the judgment of almighty God,
that, by His nod, we might be content with what should be owed to each."

In quo nos, sicut nostis, per misericordiam Dei victores exstitimus, is autem victus una cum suis quo valuit secessit. Hinc vero fraterno amore correpti nec non et super populum Christianum compassi persequi atque delere illos noluimus, sed hactenus sicut et antea, ut saltem deinde cuique sua iustitia cederetur, mandavimus. At ille post haec non contentus iudicio divino, sed hostili manu iterum et me et hunc fratrem meum persequi non cessat, insuper et populum nostrum incendiis, rapinis caedibusque devastat; quam ob rem nunc necessitate coacti convenimus et, quoniam vos de nostra stabili fide ac firma fraternitate dubitare credimus, hoc sacramentum inter nos in conspectu vestro iurare decrevimus.

In which we, as you know, through
the mercy of God we emerged victors, but he, defeated, withdrew together with his own to wherever he was able. Thence indeed, seized with fraternal love and likewise having had compassion over the Christian people, we were unwilling to pursue and destroy them, but thus far, as also before, we commanded that at least thereafter to each his due justice should be conceded. But he, after these things, not content with the divine judgment, with a hostile hand does not cease to pursue both me and this my brother again, and moreover he devastates our people with burnings, rapine, and slaughters; for which reason, now compelled by necessity, we have come together, and, since we believe that you doubt our stable faith and firm fraternity, we have resolved to swear this oath between us in your sight.

Non qualibet iniqua cupiditate illecti hoc agimus, sed ut certiores, si Deus nobis vestro adiutorio quietem dederit, de communi profectu simus. Si autem, quod absit, sacramentum, quod fratri meo iuravero, violare praesumpsero, a subditione mea nec non et a iuramento, quod mihi iurastis, unumquemque vestrum absolvo'.

Not enticed by any unjust desire do we do this, but that we may be more assured, if God has given us peace by your help, we may be of the common advancement. But if, which may it not happen, I should presume to violate the oath which I shall have sworn to my brother, I release each one of you from my subjection and also from the oath which you have sworn to me'.

Cumque Karolus haec eadem verba Romana lingua perorasset, Lodhuwicus, quoniam maior natu erat, prior haec deinde se servaturum testatus est: 'Pro Deo amur et pro Christian poblo et nostro commun saluament, d'ist di in auant, in quant Deus sauir et podir me dunat, si saluarai eo cist meon fradre Karlo et in aiudha et in cadhuna cosa, si cum om per dreit son fradra salvar dift, in o quid il mi altresi fazet; et ab Ludher nul plaid numquam prindrai, qui meon uol cist meon fradre Karle in damno sit.' Quod cum Lodhuwicus explesset, Karolus Teudisca lingua sic haec eadem verba testatus est: 'In Godes minna ind in thes Christianes folches ind unser bedhero gealtnissi, fon thesemo dage frammordes, so fram so mir Got geuuizci indi mahd furgibit, so haldih tesan minan bruodher, soso man mit rehtu sinan bruodher scal, in thiu thaz er mig sosoma duo; indi mit Ludheren in nohheiniu thing ne gegango, zhe minan uuillon imo ce scadhen uuerhen'. Sacramentum autem, quod utrorumque populus, quique propria lingua, testatus est, Romana lingua sic se habet: 'Si Lodhuuigs sagrament, que son fradre Karlo iurat, conservat, et Karlus meos sendra de suo part lo fraint, si io returnar non l'int pois, ne io ne ne¸ls, cui eo returnar int pois, in nulla aiudha contra Lodhuuuig nun li iuer'. Teudisca autem lingua: 'Oba Karl then eid, then er sinemo bruodher Ludhuuuige gesuor, geleistit, indi Ludhuuig min herro, then er imo gesuor, forbrihchit, ob ih inan es iruuenden ne mag, noh ih noh thero nohhein, then ih es iruuenden mag, uuidhar Karle imo ce follusti ne uuirdhit'. Quibus peractis Lodhuwicus Rhenotenus per Spiram et Karolus iuxta Wasagum per Wizzunburg Warmatiam iter direxit.

And when Charles had delivered these same words in the Romance language, Louis, since he was older by birth, first testified that he would then observe these: 'For the love of God and for the Christian people and our common salvation, from this day forward, in so far as God gives me knowing and power, I will safeguard this my brother Charles both with aid and in every matter, as a man by right ought to safeguard his brother, on the condition that he do likewise for me; and with Lothair I will never make any compact which, by my will, would be to the harm of this my brother Charles.' When Louis had finished this, Charles testified these same words in the Teutonic language as follows: 'In God’s love and in the Christian folk’s and our common welfare, from this day forward, so far as God grants me knowing and might, so will I hold to this my brother, as a man with right should his brother, in this, that he do likewise for me; and with Lothair I will go into no matter that, by my will, would work harm to him.' But the oath which the people of both parties, each in their own language, attested, stands thus in the Romance language: 'If Louis keeps the oath which he swore to his brother Charles, and Charles my lord, on his part, breaks it, if I cannot turn him back, neither I nor any to whom I can turn him back will go in any help against Louis.' And in the Teutonic language: 'If Charles keeps the oath that he swore to his brother Louis, and Louis my lord breaks the one he swore to him, if I cannot prevent it, neither I nor any of those whom I can prevent will become help to him against Charles.' With these things completed, Louis the Rhenish directed his march by Speyer, and Charles along the Vosges by Wissembourg set his route toward Worms.

Aestas autem, in qua praefatum exactum est proelium, fuit frigida nimis, et omnes fruges persero collectae sunt; autumnus vero et hiems naturalem ordinem peregerunt. Ac eadem die, qua praedicti fratres nec non et primores populi praefatum pepigere pactum, subsequente gelu nix multa cecidit. Stella cometis mense Decembrio et Ianuario nec non et Februario usque praelatum conventum apparuit, per Pisces centrum ascendit et inter signum, quod a quibusdam Lyra, a quibusdam vero Andromeda vocatur, et Arcturum obscuriorem hoc concilio expleto defecit.

The summer, moreover, in which the aforesaid battle was brought to an end, was exceedingly cold, and all the crops were gathered very late; but autumn and winter fulfilled their natural order. And on the same day on which the aforesaid brothers, as well as the chiefs of the people, concluded the aforesaid pact, much snow fell, frost ensuing. A comet-star appeared in the month of December and January and also in February up to the aforementioned convention; it ascended through the center of Pisces and, between the constellation which by some is called Lyra, by others indeed Andromeda, and Arcturus, growing dimmer, it failed once this council was completed.

Haec paucis de temporum siderisque serie delibatis ad historiae tramitem revertamur.

With these few things about the series of times and of the stars sampled, let us return to the pathway of the history.

Cumque Warmatiam venissent, missos deligunt, quos protinus ad Lodharium et in Saxoniam mittunt; et horum nec non et Karlemanni adventus inter Warmatiam et Magonciacum praestolaretur, statuunt.

And when they had come to Worms, they select envoys, whom they send forthwith to Lothar and into Saxony; and they decide that the arrival of these men, and also of Carloman, should be awaited between Worms and Mainz.

6. Hic quoque haudquaquam ab re, quoniam iucunda ac merito notanda videntur, de qualitate horum regum et unanimitate, qua interea deguerint, pauca referre libet. Erat quidem utrisque forma mediocris cum omni decore pulchra et omni exercitio apta; erat uterque audax, largus, prudens pariter et eloquens; omnemque praemissam nobilitatem excedebat fratrum sancta ac veneranda concordia. Nam convivia erant illis paene assidua, et, quodcumque pretium habebant, hoc alter alteri perhumane dabat.

6. Here too, by no means out of place, since they seem pleasant and deservedly to be noted,
about the quality of these kings and the unanimity in which meanwhile they lived, a few
things it is pleasing to relate. Indeed, to both the form was moderate, beautiful with every decorum
and fit for every exercise; each was bold, generous, prudent and equally eloquent; and the
holy and venerable concord of the brothers surpassed all the aforementioned nobility.
For their banquets were almost continual, and, whatever
value they had, this the one to the other most courteously gave.

Una domus erat illis convivii et una somni; tractabant tam pari consensu communia quam et privata; non quicquam aliud quilibet horum ab altero petebat, nisi quod utile ac congruum illi esse censebat. Ludos etiam hoc ordine saepe causa exercitii frequentabant. Conveniebant autem quocumque congruum spectaculo videbatur, et subsistente hinc inde omni multitudine, primum pari numero Saxonorum, Wasconorum, Austrasiorum, Brittonorum, ex utraque parte, veluti invicem adversari sibi vellent, alter in alterum veloci cursu ruebat.

One house was theirs for banqueting and one for sleep; they handled with equal consensus the common as well as the private; each of these asked nothing else from the other, except what he judged to be useful and fitting for him. They also in this order often for the sake of exercise frequented. They gathered moreover wherever seemed suitable for a spectacle, and with all the multitude standing by here and there, first with an equal number of Saxons, of Wascons, of Austrasians, of Britons, on either side, as if they wished to be adversaries to one another, one would rush upon the other with swift course.

Hinc pars terga versa protecti umbonibus ad socios insectantes evadere se velle simulabant, at versa vice iterum illos, quos fugiebant, persequi studebant, donec novissime utrique reges cum omni iuventute ingenti clamore equis emissis astilia crispantes exsiliunt et nunc his, nunc illis terga dantibus insistunt. Eratque res digna pro tanta nobilitate nec non et moderatione spectaculo; non enim quispiam in tanta multitudine ac diversitate generis, uti saepe inter paucissimos et notos contingere solet, alicui aut laesionis aut vituperii quidpiam inferre audebat.

Hence
part, having turned their backs, protected by the umbos of their shields, pretended that they wanted to escape to their comrades who were pursuing, but, the turn reversed, they strove again to pursue those whom they had been fleeing,
until at last both kings with all the youth, with a huge clamor, the horses let loose, leaping forth and brandishing spear-shafts, set upon now these, now those as they gave their backs.
And the affair was worthy, in proportion to so great nobility and likewise moderation, of a spectacle; for no one in so great a multitude and diversity of race, as is wont often to happen among very few and acquaintances, dared to inflict upon anyone anything either of injury or of vituperation.

7. His ita se habentibus Karlemannus cum ingenti exercitu Baioariorum et Alamannorum ad patrem suum Mogontiam venit. Bardo vero, qui in Saxoniam missus fuerat, similiter fecit nuntians, quod Saxones mandata Lodharii sprevissent et, quicquid Lodhuwicus et Karolus illis praeciperent, libenter id facere vellent. Lodharius quoque missos, qui ad se directi fuerant, inconsulte audire distulit, quod tam Lodhuwicus quam et Karolus nec non et universus exercitus aegre tulerunt et, qualiter idem ipsi ad illum pervenire possent, intendunt.

7. With things being thus, Carloman came to his father at Mainz with a huge army of Bavarians and Alemanni. But Bardo, who had been sent into Saxony, did likewise, announcing that the Saxons had spurned Lothar’s mandates and that, whatever Louis and Charles should command them, they would gladly be willing to do it. Lothar also imprudently deferred to hear the envoys who had been directed to him, which both Louis and also Charles, and likewise the whole army, took ill, and they consider how they themselves might be able to reach him.

Ergo XVI. Kal. Aprilis illis in partibus viam dirigunt, et Karolus quidem per Wasagum iter difficile ingressus, Lodhuwicus vero terra Rhenoque per Bingam, Karlemannus autem per Einrichi ad Conflentim in crastinum hora fere diei sexta venerunt; protinusque ad Sanctum Castorem orationis causa pergunt, missam audiunt ac deinde idem reges armati naves conscendunt et Mosellam ocius traiciunt.

Therefore on March 17 they direct their way in those parts, and Charles indeed, having entered by a difficult route through the Wasgau, but Louis by land and along the Rhine via Bingen, and Carloman by way of Einrich to Koblenz, came on the morrow at about the sixth hour of the day; and straightway they proceed to Saint Castor for the sake of prayer, they hear Mass, and then the same kings, armed, board ships and cross the Moselle more swiftly.

Quod cum Otgarius Mogontiae sedis episcopus, Hatto comes, Herioldus ceterique viderunt, quos Lodharius ob hoc inibi reliquerat, ut illis transitum prohibuissent, timore perterriti litore relicto fugerunt. Lodharius quoque, ut fratres suos Mosellam transisse in Sinciaco didicit, confestim et ipse abire et regno et sede non destitit, donec se super ripam Rhodani cum paucis, qui se sequi deliberaverant, ceteris omissis excepit.

When Otgar, bishop of the see of Mainz, Count Hatto, Heriold, and the rest—whom Lothar had left there for this purpose, namely that they should prevent their crossing—saw this, terrified by fear, they abandoned the shore and fled. Lothar also, when he learned at Sinzig that his brothers had crossed the Moselle, immediately himself too set off and did not desist from abandoning both the realm and his seat, until he withdrew to the bank of the Rhône with a few who had resolved to follow him, the others left behind.

Qua finem secundi certaminis dedit Lodharius, terminetur liber tertius.

Wherewith Lodharius gave an end to the second contest, let the third book be concluded.