35. Beretrude,[FG] when dying, appointed her daughter heir, leaving certain property to the nunneries she had founded and to the cathedrals and churches of the holy confessors. But Waddo,[FH] whom we mentioned in a former book, complained that his horses had been taken by her son-in-law, and he proposed to go to an estate of hers which she had left to her daughter and which was within the territory of Poitiers, saying: “He came from another kingdom and took my horses and I will take his estate.” Meantime he sent orders to the bailiff that he was coming and to make everything ready for his use. The bailiff on hearing this gathered all the household and got ready to fight, saying: “Unless I’m killed Waddo shall not enter my master’s house.” Waddo’s wife heard that warlike preparations were being made against her husband, and she said to him: “Do not go there, dear husband; for you will be killed if you go and my children and I will be miserable.” And she laid hold of him and wished to detain him, and her son also said: “If you go, we will be killed together and you will leave my mother a widow and my brothers orphans.” But these words altogether failed to hold him back and he was enflamed with madness at his son, and calling him cowardly and soft he threw his ax and almost crushed his skull. But the son dashed it partly aside and escaped the stroke. Then they mounted their horses and went off, sending word again to the bailiff to sweep the house and spread covers on the benches. But he paid little attention to the order and stood with his throngs of men and women before his master’s door, as we have said, awaiting Waddo’s coming. He came and at once entered the house and said: “Why are these benches not spread with covers and the house swept?” And he raised his hand with his dagger in it and struck the man’s head and he fell and died. Upon seeing this the dead man’s son hurled his lance from in front against Waddo and pierced the middle of his belly with the blow, and the spear-head came out of his back and he fell to the ground, and the multitude which had gathered drew near and began to stone him. Then certain of those who had come with him rushed up amid the showers of stones and covered him with a cloak and the people were calmed, and his son, uttering mournful cries, got him upon his horse and took him back home still living. But he died soon amid the laments of his wife and sons. And so his life was unhappily ended and his son went to the king and obtained his property. [36. Childebert sends his son Theodobert to represent him in Soissons. 37. Bishop Droctigisil goes insane from excessive drinking or because evil arts had been practiced on him. 38. A plot against Brunhilda and Childebert’s wife. 39-43. The story in detail of the secession of forty nuns[FI] from the convent at Poitiers, with documents involved in the case. 44. The weather.] HERE ENDS THE NINTH BOOK. FOOTNOTES: [64] Godfather.