to these men in return for gifts, why did you ask for an oath that they would keep faith with Merovech?” The bishop replied: “I confess I did ask their friendship for him; and I would have asked not men alone but, if it were right to say so, I would have called an angel from heaven to be his helper; for he was my spiritual son from the baptismal font, as I have often said.” And when the dispute grew warmer, bishop Prætextatus threw himself on the ground and said: “I have sinned against heaven and before thee, most merciful king: I am a wicked homicide; I wished to kill you and raise your son to the throne.” When he said this the king threw himself down at the feet of the bishops and said: “Hear, most holy bishops, the accused confesses his awful crime.” And when we had raised the king from the ground with tears, he ordered Prætextatus to leave the church. He went himself to his lodging, and sent the book of canons to which a new quaternion had been added containing the canons called apostolic and having the following: _Let a bishop detected in homicide, adultery or perjury be cast out from his office_. This was read and while Prætextatus stood in a daze, bishop Bertram spoke: “Hear, brother and fellow-bishop; you have not the king’s favor; and therefore you cannot enjoy our mercy before you win the indulgence of the king.” After this the king demanded that his robe should be torn from him and the hundred and eighth psalm which contains the curses against Iscariot be read over his head and at the least, that the judgment be entered against him to be excommunicated forever. Which proposals I resisted according to the king’s promise that nothing be done outside the canons. Then Prætextatus was taken from our sight and placed in custody. And attempting to flee in the night he was grievously beaten and was thrust off into exile in an island of the sea that lies near the city of Coutances.