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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 21. Of the Flight and Guarding of Eberulf
After these events King Guntram returned to Chalon to make inquiry into the death of his brother. The queen1 sought to throw the burden of the crime on Eberulf, the treasurer. After her lord’s decease she had invited this man to abide with her, but he would not be persuaded. Whereof a bitter enmity was rife between them; and the queen declared that he it was who had murdered the king, and that afterwards he had made away with much of the royal treasure, going off with it to the territory of Tours. If, therefore, the king wished to avenge his brother’s death, here was the ringleader in the crime. Then the king swore to all the chief men of the kingdom that he would wipe out from the face of the earth, not only Eberulf himself, but also his offspring to the ninth generation, in order that by the example of their death an end should be made of an abominable custom, and no more kings be slain. As soon as Eberulf heard of this, he made haste to gain the church of the holy Martin, the property of which he had often despoiled. It was thought well to keep him under watch, and the men of Orleans and Blois took turns to mount guard, but after fifteen days they went home with great booty, carrying off beasts of burden, cattle, and whatever else they could lay hands upon. But the thieves who had taken the holy Martin’s beasts quarrelled among themselves, and thrust each other through with their own spears. Two, who were driving off mules, went into a neighbouring house to demand drink. When the master of the house declared that he had none to give, and they had raised their spears to run him through, he drew his sword and pierced them both, so that they fell dead, and the beasts of the holy Martin were restored. So great were the ill deeds done there on this occasion by the men of Orleans, that they may not all be told.
Notes
- Fredegund.