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
9. While this was going on, Riguntha, king Chilperic’s daughter,
arrived at Toulouse with the treasures described above. And seeing
she was now near the Gothic boundary she began to contrive excuses
for delay, and her people told her also that she ought to remain
there for a time since they were wearied with the journey and their
clothing was rough, their shoes torn, and the harness and carriages
which had been brought on wagons were not yet put together. They
ought first to make all these preparations with care and then set out
on the journey and be received in all elegance by her betrothed, and
not be laughed at by the Goths if they appeared among them in a rough
condition. While they were delaying for these reasons, Chilperic’s
death was reported to duke Desiderius.[DW] And he gathered his
bravest men and entered Toulouse and finding the treasures took them
from the queen’s control and put them in a certain house sealed up
and under the guard of brave men, and he allowed the queen a scanty
living until she should return to the city.
[10. Gundovald is proclaimed king. 11. A list of prodigies pointing
to Gundovald’s death. 12. Tours is forced to become subject to
Gunthram. 13. Poitiers also comes under Gunthram’s control.]
[DY]14. Now when court was held, bishop Egidius, Gunthram Boso,
Sigivald, and many others were sent by king Childebert to king
Gunthram, and they went in to him and the bishop said: “Most
righteous king, we thank the all-powerful God that he has restored
you after many toils to your own land and kingdom.” And the king said
to him: “Yes, it is to the King of kings and Lord of lords who in his
mercy thought it right to accomplish this, that due thanks should be
given. For it is certainly not to you, by whose treacherous counsel
and perjuries my land was burned over a year ago; you never kept good
faith with any man; your crooked dealing appears everywhere;[DX] it
is not a bishop but an enemy of my kingdom that you show yourself
to be.” At these words the bishop, though enraged, was silent. But
one of the legates spoke: “Your nephew Childebert begs you to order
the cities which his father held to be given back to him.” At this
he replied: “I told you before that our compacts give them to me and
therefore I refuse to restore them.” Another of the legates said:
“Your nephew asks you to order the sorceress Fredegunda, through whom
many kings have been killed, to be surrendered to him, so that he can
avenge the death of his father, uncle and cousins.” “She shall not
be given into his power,” said Gunthram, “because she has a son who
is king. Besides I do not believe that what you say against her is
true.” Then Gunthram Boso approached the king as if he were going to
make some request. But since it had been certainly reported that he
had raised Gundovald up as king, Gunthram spoke before him and said:
“You enemy of my country and kingdom, who went a few years ago to the
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