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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 24. Of the Plundering of the City of Poitiers
In the tenth year of Childebert’s reign, King Guntram levied a great army of men liable to serve from all the peoples of his realm. The larger number, with the men of Orleans and Bourges, marched on Poitiers, which had broken the oath of allegiance to the king.1 They sent envoys before them to discover whether the army would be peacefully admitted or not; but Maroveus, bishop of Poitiers, received the envoys harshly. The troops then entered the territory of the city and began to pillage, burn, and slay. On their return across the territory of Tours with their plunder they did likewise, though the people had sworn the oath of allegiance; they even set churches on fire and carried off everything they could seize. This invasion was repeated several times, until the men of Poitiers were at last persuaded to recognize the king. When the army drew near to the city, and it was known that the greater part of their territory had been ravaged, they sent messengers to declare their loyalty to King Guntram. The troops were admitted into the town, and immediately fell upon the bishop, accusing him of disloyalty. But he, seeing himself in sore straits, broke a gold chalice used in the service of the altar, had it made into coins, and so ransomed the people and himself.
Notes
- Cf. ch. 13, above.