Library › St Gregory of Tours › History of the Franks

History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 3, 23. Of the Death of Sigivald

In these days Theuderic slew with the sword his kinsman Sigivald,¹ sending word secretly to Theudebert that he should put to death Sigivald’s son, who was with him at the time. But Theudebert, who had received him from the sacred font, would not so destroy him, but gave him his father’s letter to read, saying: ‘Fly hence, for I am bidden to slay thee by my father. But when thou hearest that he is no more, and that I reign in his stead, then come thou back to me without fear.’ Whereat the other rendered him thanks, and, bidding him farewell, departed. The Goths at this period had invaded Arles, from which city Theudebert held hostages; thither Sigivald fled. But finding little safety there, he went into Italy, and there lived in hiding. In the meanwhile news was brought to Theudebert that his father was grievously ill, and that if he did not hasten, so as to find him yet alive, he would be shut out by his uncles from the succession, and would never return into the kingdom. At this news he hastened to the place where his father was, regardless of all else, leaving behind Deuteria and her daughter² at Clermont. Not many days after his departure Theuderic died in the twenty-third year of his reign.³ Then Childebert and Lothar rose up against Theudebert and sought to take his kingdom, but he sought conciliation by gifts, and with the support of his leudes established himself upon the throne. Thereupon he sent to fetch Deuteria from Clermont, and made her his queen.

Previous · Contents · Next