Library › St Gregory of Tours › History of the Franks
History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 3, 14. Of the Death of Munderic
Munderic, who pretended to be of the blood royal, was puffed up with pride, and said: ‘What have I to do with King Theuderic? My right to the throne is as good as his. I will go forth and gather my people together, and will take an oath of fealty from them, that Theuderic may know I am a king like himself.’ And he went forth and began to seduce the people, saying: ‘I am a prince; follow me and it shall be well with you.’ And a multitude of simple folk followed him, after the usual manner of weak mankind, taking the oath of allegiance and honouring him as king. When Theuderic heard this, he sent him the following message: ‘Come to see me, and if any part of my kingdom be thy due, it shall be given thee.’ Theuderic said this in guile, intending that he should be slain if he came. But Munderic refused, and answered thus: ‘Go, take back this message to your king, that I also am a king no less than he.’ Thereupon the king levied an army to put him down and punish him. As soon as Munderic was informed of this, having no confidence in his own power of resistance, he took refuge within the walls of Vitry with all his goods, and there prepared to defend himself, gathering together there those whom he had led astray. The army that marched against him surrounded the castle and besieged it for seven days. But Munderic with his men repulsed the attack, saying: ‘Let us stand fast and fight to the death together; let us never submit to our enemies.’ The investing army flung javelins into the place from every side, but meeting no success, informed the king, who sent to them one of his retainers named Aregisel, first instructing him thus: ‘Thou seest how this traitor succeedeth in his contumacy. Go to him, and promise him a safe-conduct under oath, and when he cometh out, slay him and destroy his memory from out my kingdom.’ Aregisel departed, and did as he was commanded. He first of all arranged a signal with his men, saying to them: ‘As soon as I speak thus and thus, rush in forthwith and slay him.’ He then went in, and said to Munderic: ‘How long wilt thou stay here like one bereft of sense? How canst thou long resist the king? Provisions will fail thee, hunger will wear thee down, till thou have no choice but to come forth; then art thou delivered into the hands of thine enemies, by whom thou shalt be slain like a dog. Hear rather my counsel; submit to the king, that thine own life may be spared and the life of thy sons.’ Munderic, influenced by these words, replied: ‘If I go forth, I shall be taken by the king and slain, I and my sons and all my friends who are here gathered about me.’ Aregisel made answer: ‘Have no fear; if thou desirest to go forth, receive my oath that thine offence shall not be remembered, and thou mayst stand secure in the king’s sight. Fear nothing; thou shalt be with him as thou wert before.’ To this Munderic replied: ‘Would indeed I could be sure of not being slain!’ Then Aregisel laid his hands upon the holy altar and swore that he should go forth unharmed. After receiving this oath, Munderic issued from the castle gate, holding Aregisel’s hand; the people were on the alert, keeping their eyes upon him while he was yet far off. Then, as the signal agreed upon, Aregisel cried: ‘Wherefore gaze ye thus intently, O ye people? Have ye never seen Munderic until now?’ Instantly the men came rushing upon him. Then Munderic saw that he was betrayed, and said: ‘Now know I right well that with these words thou hast given thy men a sign to slay me. But I say to thee that for deceiving me thus by a false oath, no man shall see thee any more alive.’ Therewith he hurled his lance between his enemy’s shoulders and pierced him through, so that he fell down dead. And after that Munderic drew his sword, together with his following, and made great slaughter of Aregisel’s men, and to the drawing of his last breath he ceased not to slay all who came within his reach. After his death his property passed to the king’s treasury.