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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 8, 13. Of the Embassy Sent by Guntram to Childebert
Guntram sent envoys to his nephew Childebert, who at that time was sojourning in the town of Coblentz,1 so named because in that spot the rivers Moselle and Rhine flow together and unite. It had before been agreed that bishops of either kingdom should assemble at Troyes in Champagne; but this had not suited the bishops of Childebert’s kingdom. The chief envoy, Felix, having first made salutation, produced a letter and spoke as follows: ‘Thine uncle, O king, asketh thee earnestly who hath caused thee to withdraw from thy promise, so that the bishops of thy kingdom will not attend the council which thou and he together did appoint. Can it be that evil men have made some root of discord to spring up between you?’ As the king remained silent, I made answer: ‘It is no marvel if tares be sown between the peoples, for among the kings are found none that should be able to take root. All men know that King Childebert hath no father save his uncle, nor King Guntram any son but Childebert; have we not heard him say it this very year? Heaven, therefore, forbid that any root of discord grow between them, seeing that each should equally defend and love the other.’ Then King Childebert called aside the envoy, Felix, and entrusted to him the following request: ‘I entreat my lord and father to do no harm to Bishop Theodore. For doth he so, trouble must needs forthwith spring up between us, and by this hindering discord we shall be sundered, whose duty it is to preserve mutual love and live in peace.’ The envoy departed, having received an answer on other matters also.
Notes
- Confluentes.