Library › St Gregory of Tours › History of the Franks

History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 3, 22. How He Then Took Deuteria to Wife

There was at that time in the place a matron named Deuteria, a clever woman, full of resource, whose husband had withdrawn to the town of Béziers. She now sent messengers to the king, saying: ‘No man, most pious prince, may resist thee. We know thee for our lord; come, and do that which is pleasing in thy sight.’ Theudebert therefore came to the place, entering it without resistance; and when he perceived the people submissive to him, he did harm to no man. Deuteria came out to meet him; and when he saw that she was fair, he was enamoured of her, and took her to his bed.