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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 10, 5. How Chuppa Invaded Touraine
In these days Chuppa,1 who was formerly count of the stables to King Chilperic, raided the territory of Tours, in an attempt to carry off herds and other property, like a freebooter. But the inhabitants had a suspicion of his intent; they assembled in numbers and followed him up. They wrested his plunder from him, and he only escaped by abandoning everything, with the loss of two of his followers killed and two captured. These last were sent bound to King Childebert, who commanded them to be flung into prison and questioned until they told who had helped Chuppa to escape, so that his pursuers failed to seize him. They answered that this happened by the connivance of Animodus, vicarius of the count,2 who exercised judicial authority in that district. Forthwith the king dispatched a letter to the count of the city, with the command to send this man bound into the royal presence; and, as he loved his prince’s favour, to overpower and slay him at the first show of resistance. Animodus offered no resistance, but found sureties, and went whither he was bidden. He then sought Flavianus,3 the domestic, and coming before the court4 with Chuppa was found not guilty; he was dismissed at the same time, and received orders to return home, but first made gifts to the domestic.
Chuppa once more assembled some of his people and attempted to carry off as his bride the daughter of Badegisel, late bishop of Le Mans.5 With a band of followers he broke by night into the country house of Mareil to carry out his design. But the girl’s mother, the matron Magnatrude, warned of him and of his plot, sallied out with her servants and forcibly beat him off. Several of his men were killed, and he drew off, not without humiliation.
Notes
- Cf. V. (29) 39; VII. 39.
- Cf. Introduction, p. 203.
- Cf. IX. 19, and ch. 15, below.
- The king’s court; cf. Introduction, p. 211.
- Cf. VIII. 39.