History of the FranksGregory, Bishop of Tours, Saint
History
History of the Franks
Gregory, Bishop of Tours, Saint
France -- Church history -- To 987; France -- History -- To 987; Franks -- History -- To 768
22. King Chilperic having seized cities belonging to his brother,
appointed new counts and ordered that all the tribute of the cities
be paid to him. And we know that this was done. In these days two
men were seized by Nunnichius, count of Limoges, who were carrying
letters in the name of Charterius, bishop of Perigueux, which
contained many insults against the king; and among the rest it was
put as if the bishop were complaining that he had gone down from
paradise to hell, because forsooth he had been transferred from
Gunthram’s rule to the dominion of Chilperic. The count just named
sent these letters and these men to the king under strict guard. The
king patiently sent for the bishop to come to his presence to tell
whether the charges against him were true or not. The bishop came
and the king confronted him with the men and the letters. He asked
the bishop if they had been sent by him. He said they had not. The
men then were asked from whom they had received them. They said it
was Frontonius the deacon. The bishop was asked about the deacon. He
replied that he was his greatest enemy and there could be no doubt
that this was his wickedness since he had often set wicked plots
going against him. The deacon was brought at once and questioned by
the king. He testified against the bishop saying: “It was I who
wrote this letter at the bishop’s order.” But the bishop cried out
and said that this man had often devised clever tricks to cast him
out from his office, and the king was moved with pity and commending
his cause to God he let them both go, interceding with the bishop
for the deacon and begging the bishop to pray for him. And thus the
bishop was sent back with honor to the city. But after two months
count Nunnichius who started this scandal died from an apoplectic
stroke and as he was without children his property was granted to
several persons by the king.
[23. On account of the birth of a son king Chilperic releases
prisoners and remits taxes. 24. Gundovald, who claims to be a son
of Clothar, returns to Gaul from Constantinople and is received
by bishop Theodore of Marseilles who is thereupon seized and held
prisoner by king Gunthram. 25. Prodigies. 26. Gunthram Boso is
charged with bringing Gundovald to Gaul; he says that Mummolus is
guilty of this and promises to bring him to king Gunthram.]
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