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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 2, 40. Of the Death of Sigibert the Elder and His Son
While Clovis was sojourning at Paris, he sent secretly to the son of Sigibert, saying: ‘Thy father is grown old, and is lame of one foot. If he were to die, his kingdom would fall to thee of right, together with our friendship.’ The prince, seduced through his ambition, plotted his father’s death. One day Sigibert left Cologne and crossed the Rhine, to walk in the forest of Buchau. He was enjoying a midday repose in his tent when his son compassed his death by sending assassins against him, intending so to get possession of the kingdom. But by the judgement of God he fell himself into the pit which he had treacherously digged for his father. He sent messengers to King Clovis announcing his father’s death in these terms: ‘My father hath perished, and his kingdom and treasures are in my power. Come to me, and right gladly will I hand over to thee whatever things may please thee from his treasure.’ Clovis answered: ‘I thank thee for thy goodwill, and request of thee that thou show all to my envoys; but thou shalt keep the whole.’ On the arrival of the envoys, the prince displayed his father’s treasure, and while they were inspecting its various contents, said to them: ‘In this coffer my father used to amass pieces of gold.’ They answered: ‘Plunge in thy hand to the bottom, to make sure of all.’ He did so; but as he was stooping, one of them raised his two-edged axe and buried it in his brain; so was his guilt towards his father requited on himself. When Clovis heard that Sigibert was slain, and his son also, he came to Cologne and called all the people together, addressing them in these words: ‘Hear ye what hath befallen. While I was sailing the Scheldt, Chloderic, son of my cousin, was harassing his father, and telling him that I desired his death. When his father fled through the forest of Buchau, he set bandits upon him, delivering him over to death. But he in his turn hath perished, stricken I know not by whom, while he was showing his father’s treasure. To all these deeds I was in no wise privy; for I could not bear to shed the blood of my kindred, holding it an impious deed. But since things have so fallen out, I offer you this counsel, which take, if it seemeth good to you: turn ye to me, and live under my protection.’ At these words the clash of shields vied with their applause; they raised Clovis upon a shield, and recognized him as their king. Thus he became possessed of the kingdom of Sigibert and of his treasures, and submitted the people also to his dominion. For daily the Lord laid his enemies low under his hand, and increased his kingdom, because he walked before Him with an upright heart, and did that which was pleasing in His sight.