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
[ED] P. =181=, l. 9. The vicar (also _tribunus_, _judex loci_) was
an officer subordinate to the count. Injuriosus had been obliged to
borrow money, having either failed to collect the taxes in full or
spent the money otherwise.
[EE] P. =182=, c. 29. The interest of this chapter lies in the
vivid manner in which the fear of St. Martin is depicted as a
present reality to the people of the time. A Frank named Claudius
was commissioned by king Gunthram to destroy Eberulf, a political
refugee, without violating St. Martin’s sanctuary. “As he travelled
along [to Tours] Claudius, according to the custom of the barbarians,
began to watch the signs and say they were unfavorable to him, and
at the same time to ask many persons if the power of the blessed
Martin was shown at the present time on those who broke faith; he
particularly wanted to know whether St. Martin’s vengeance followed
immediately in case any one attacked persons who put their faith
in him.” On arriving at Tours Claudius ingratiated himself with
Eberulf and promised him help, and when the latter “saw that Claudius
made such promises on oath in the very church and at its entrance
and in every part of the court-yard [_atrium_], the ill-fated man
believed the perjurer.” The next day a feast was held in the church
and Claudius secured Eberulf’s confidence to such a degree that the
latter relaxed his guard. “He sent his men one after another to get
strong wine, Italian wine, of course, and Syrian wine.” This took
place in the courtyard of the church. Claudius was now in a dilemma.
“He was purposing to kill Eberulf in the courtyard, but he was afraid
of the power of the holy bishop.” However, the chance was too good
to be lost. Eberulf was slain by Claudius and his men, but Eberulf’s
followers immediately appeared and there was a fierce battle in and
about the monastery in the courtyard. “The poor, both those who
received the regular doles, and others” took part. “Those who were
‘possessed’ and the beggars hurried from here and there with stones
and clubs to avenge the insult done to the church.” Claudius and
his men were all slain. Thus “the vengeance of God had immediately
overtaken the men who had polluted the holy courtyard with human
blood. Moreover, Eberulf’s wickedness is perceived to be not slight
when the blessed bishop (Martin) allowed him to meet such a fate.”
The whole incident was regarded by Gregory, who was absent at the
time “at a country place about thirty miles from the city,” as a
vindication of St. Martin.
[EF] P. =184=, l. 21. For an account of the arms and armor of the
period see L. Beck, _Geschichte des Eisens_, vol. I, pp. 703-728
(1884).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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