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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 27. Of the Outrage to Bishop Magnulf
Hence he moved south to Toulouse, sending messengers asking Magnulf,1 bishop of the city, to receive him. But the bishop, mindful of what he had formerly suffered at the hands of Sigulf, who had in like manner pretended to the throne, said to the citizens: ‘We know that Guntram and Childebert his nephew be kings; but as to this man we know not whence he cometh. Be therefore on your guard; and if it is the will of Duke Desiderius to bring this calamity upon us, let him die the death of Sigulf, and let him be an example to all, that no foreigner dare to profane the throne of the Franks.’ But while they were talking of resistance and preparing for war, Gundovald arrived with a large army; they saw that they could not stand against him, and therefore admitted him to the town.
After this, when the bishop was seated at table in the church house with Gundovald, he said to him: ‘Thou declarest thyself son of King Lothar; but whether this be true or not, we cannot tell. We cannot believe that it is in thy power to carry through thine enterprise.’ The other replied: ‘I am verily the son of King Lothar, and I am minded forthwith to take possession of my share of his kingdom; I shall proceed with all speed to Paris, and there establish the seat of my dominion.’ The bishop said: ‘It were indeed true that there remaineth no prince of the royal Frankish race, if thou art left free to fulfil what thou sayest.’ Mummolus, hearing the dispute, now lifted his hand and gave the bishop several buffets, saying: ‘Art thou not ashamed that one debased and foolish like thyself should speak like this to a great king?’ But when Desiderius understood from the discussion what the bishop’s mind was, he also was enraged and laid hands upon him. Thereupon they both struck him with their spears, hit him with their fists and kicked him, then bound him with a rope, and condemned him to banishment. His own property was all seized, as well as that belonging to the Church. Waddo, former mayor of the house to the princess Rigunth,2 now joined them, but the rest of those who had left Paris with him dispersed themselves in flight.
Notes
- Cf. ch. 32, below.
- Cf. VI. 32 (45).