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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 9, 16. Of the Conversion of Recared
Recared then sent ambassadors to Guntram and Childebert, seeking peace, on the ground that as they were now, so he asserted, united in one faith, they should also be as one in loving-kindness. But Guntram repelled them, saying: ‘What faith can they promise, or how can they look to be believed, when they delivered my niece Ingund into captivity, and treacherously let slay her spouse, while she herself died during her journey?1 I therefore receive no embassy from Recared until God hath granted me revenge upon my enemies.’ When the envoys heard these words they went to Childebert, who received them in friendliness. To him they spoke as follows: ‘Recared, thy brother and our lord, is fain to clear himself from the charge brought against him, that he was privy to the death of thy sister. He is ready to prove his innocence by oath, if thou so desire, or in any other manner. He will then pay to thee, gracious king, ten thousand pieces of gold, desiring thy friendship, that so he may receive aid from thee, and thou thyself, should need arise, mayst have advantage of his help in return.’ When they had spoken, King Childebert and his mother pledged themselves to maintain unbroken peace and friendship with Recared. After an exchange of presents, the envoys added: ‘Our lord hath also commanded us to whisper a word in your ears concerning Chlodosind, your daughter and sister; he asketh her in marriage, that the promised peace may be the better assured.’ They replied: ‘As far as we are concerned, the promise should readily be given, but we dare not give it without consulting our kinsman King Guntram; for we have pledged ourselves to do nothing in matters of moment without his counsel.’2 Receiving this reply, the envoys returned home.
Notes
- VIII. 21, 28.
- Cf. ch. 20 below.