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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
nb6
1. Within the walls of Avignon. This city belonged to Austrasia; Mummolus, a deserter from Guntram’s kingdom, was therefore out of his late master’s reach.
Present discords. The differences which had led to the breach between Guntram and Childebert.
2. The envoys... dispatched three years before, returned. This passage illustrates the slowness of diplomatic intercourse between the Merovingian kings and the East Roman emperors.
The domain of Nogent (Novigentum villa). Nogent-sur-Marne, rather than Saint-Cloud (Longnon, Géogr. de la Gaule au VIe siècle, p. 359).
Showed us a great salver... made of gold and gems. For the skill of Teutonic goldsmiths, cf. Introduction, p. 433. Chilperic’s zeal for the advancement of Frankish arts and crafts shows us perhaps the best side of his volatile character.
Pieces of gold, each of a pound’s weight. These were large medals produced for presentation or for special purposes, and not in any way connected with the currency. In the Life of the Emperor Alexander Severus (Historia Augusta, ed. H. Peter (Teubner, 1884), i, p. 277, ch. xxxix, § 9) we read of great gold pieces weighing a pound each, and equivalent to one hundred aurei. The best-known instance is one made for Justinian, an example of which survived to modern times, but is now lost; it weighed only half a pound, but there is record of larger sizes apart from the medal seen by Gregory. This medal, now only known from reproductions, is mentioned by W. W. Wroth, Imperial Byzantine Coins (British Museum Catalogue, 1908; it is described on p. 25 and illustrated in the frontispiece). For gold medals sent by the emperors to barbaric kings, see E. Babelon, Revue numismatique (1906), pp. 185-9.
4. Lupus, duke of Champagne. Lupus was the loyal adherent of the Austrasian royal house (cf. Fortunatus, Carm. vii. 7-9), the star of which was for the moment in eclipse. Fortunatus describes him as his true friend, a man dowered with almost all the virtues, equally remarkable for charm of manner and for gallantry in war. The poem vii. 8, expressing joy at the safety of Lupus, seems to refer to the events recorded in the present chapter. Ursio and Berthefred were leaders of the aristocratic party, the aim of which was to prevent any increase of royal power at their expense. Their hatred was chiefly directed against the queen-mother Brunhild and her supporters, of whom Lupus was the chief. They had succeeded in getting control over the young king, and thus dealt a formidable blow at Brunhild’s policy. Cf. Introduction, p. 116.
Armed herself with a man’s courage. The words used are praecingens se viriliter, and might perhaps be taken literally. But the assumption of a warrior’s arms by a queen is unlikely in Merovingian times; the words are therefore translated in a figurative sense.
Within the walls of Laon (infra urbis Lugdunae clavatae muros). Lugdunum Clavatum, formerly a castrum depending upon Reims, had been a civitas, with a bishopric from the time of S. Remi (Longnon, as above, p. 42).
5. A Jew named Priscus. The Jews, with the Syrians, were the principal merchants in Merovingian France, carrying on trade between Marseilles and the Eastern Mediterranean; cf. Introduction, p. 175. … Priscus seems to have ministered to Chilperic’s artistic tastes, which were chiefly concentrated on jewellery and plate.
The long dispute which fills the chapter shows us a second time Chilperic’s pretensions as a theologian (cf. V. 32 (44)); it also shows us Gregory’s satisfaction with his own polemical skill (cf. V. 31 (43)).
6. Near the town of Nice. A peninsula not far from Nice towards Villefranche is said still to preserve the name of S. Hospitius. The story of Hospitius and the Lombards reappears in the Hist. Langobardorum of Paul the Deacon, iii. 1 and 2 (M. G. H., Script. rer. Langobard. (1878)). Paul copies from Gregory. In G. C., ch 95, Gregory tells a wonderful tale of a man who had with him dust from the tomb of Hospitius. He embarked on a ship owned by Jews. They wished to go to Marseilles, he to Lérins. They had insisted on setting the course for the former place, when the ship was suddenly deprived of all motion, remaining stock-still until it had been arranged that the passenger should be landed at Lérins.
The roots of the Egyptian herbs... brought to him by merchants. This passage has often been noted as a curious foot-note to commercial history. The export to Gaul of the roots eaten by the anchorites of the Egyptian desert illustrates the prestige of the Egyptian monastic life, copied by so many anchorites in Gaul. Cf. Introduction, p. 374 n.
A window of his tower. Anchorites sometimes lived in ancient ruins, like Senoch (V. 7), who also wore chains on his body (V. P., ch. xv). Windows already existed in some ruins; they were also cut in the sides of rock-hewn cells.
Two dukes, &c. These events may have occurred during the Lombard invasion of 574 mentioned in IV. 30 (44), but three dukes are there mentioned. Paul the Deacon says: aliquanti ex ducibus.
Any of the clergy who were among his friends (qui de cleris amici essent). An alternative reading is de naucleris, in which case the recommendation would be addressed, not to clergy at Rome, but to shipmasters, presumably sailing between Marseilles and Italy.
I am called So-and-so. Gregory is here purposely suppressing a name which he probably knew. Cf. the end of the chapter.
The prior of the monastery. The word used is praepositus, meaning the next in rank to the abbot. Possibly it might be more accurate to describe the holder of this position at this early time as ‘provost’. Cf. Introduction, p. 350.
Written by many writers. Paul the Deacon only borrows from Gregory. If there were other sources they do not appear to have survived.
7. Letters, following the manner of Sidonius. These have perished.
Albinus the ex-prefect... Dynamius, actual governor of Provence. Though Albinus is called ex-praefecto and Dynamius rector, the office held by both was the same, the latter having succeeded the former. Cf. IV. 43, and ch. 11 below. Provence belonged to Childebert, though half of the city of Marseilles was under Guntram.
Fortunatus (Carm. vi. 11, 12) praises Dynamius as a man of culture, something of a poet, and a writer of lives of saints. Dynamius is mentioned in the letters of Gregory the Great as a man of piety and founder of a monastery. Fortunatus also addressed a poem to Jovinus (Carm. vii. 11).
The senatorial. Here, as in other passages already noted, Gregory uses the word senator merely to indicate that he belonged to one of the old Gallo-Roman families which in imperial times had held senatorial rank. Cf. ch. 9 and 39, below; IV. 8 (13) n.; and Introd., p. 4.
8. By whom God showed many miracles. In G. C., ch. 98, Gregory tells us the story of this recluse, but with some variations. The present version appears to be the more correct (cf. Vita S. Eparchii, ch. 9)
9. Sophisticated senatorials or philosophizing counts (senatores sophisticos ac iudices philosophicos). The sense of the passage is that Domnolus, a simple and probably unlettered man, felt unable to occupy a bishopric where cultured Gallo-Romans, either residents of old senatorial family (cf. ch. 39, below) or officials like the count, formed a cultured and perhaps precious society in which he would have been out of his element. In Avignon and in other cities of Provence, Roman culture survived to a much greater extent than in the north of the country.
Badegisil, mayor of the palace (domus regiae maiorem). Badegisil was afterwards made bishop of Le Mans (VIII. 39). This is the first mention by Gregory of this office, destined to become so influential in later Merovingian times (cf. Introduction, p. 199). At this time it had not the importance which it later possessed, and the holder of it was even inferior to the Domestic (cf. IV. 3, note). Queens, princes, and princesses had their own ‘mayors of the household’, Waddo holding the office for Rigunth (ch. 32 (45), below). The great rise in importance of the Maior domus only began after Gregory’s time, under Clovis II, son of Dagobert. Another maior mentioned by Gregory is Florentianus, mayor of Childebert (IX. 30). Ducange, s. v., gives names of others mentioned by Fredegar and Fortunatus—Landeric serving Chilperic and Lothar II, Chrodin and Gogo holding the office in Austrasia.
10. Broke into the church of the holy Martin. This passage contains interesting details as to church windows, churchyard tombs, and church furniture. Cf. Introduction, pp. 324 ff.
11. The church houses. The accusative plural, domus ecclesiae, may be an error, and the ‘church house’ (cf. Introduction, p. 343), in which a bishop or priest lived next to his church, may be intended. Or the residence of a bishop, who still retained his wife (ibid., p. 389), or had a large staff of clerics, may sometimes have included more than one house. A diocese also owned country residences. Cf. n. to V. 5, p. 536.
To cross his kingdom. Childebert could not reach Marseilles without crossing Burgundian territory.
Who was of a senatorial family. (Cf. chs. 7 and 9 above.) We apparently see here a case of a Gallo-Roman who had taken a Frankish name, probably from interested motives; we meet with other cases in Merovingian history. Gundulf was brother of Nicetius, bishop of Lyons and uncle of Armentaria, Gregory’s mother (cf. V. 5).
The doorkeepers (ostiarii). These men formed one of the lower grades of the clerics. Cf. Introduction, p. 273.
His equipment was restored to him. This seems to be the sense of suis induitur indumentis. Gundulf’s men had probably disarmed him in the church.
With ringing of bells (cum signis). As standards (vexilla) are mentioned immediately after, signa may here have its common sixth-century meaning of bells.
7 (12). The holy martyr Caprasius. This is S. Caprais, martyred with Ste Foy, at Agen, 20 October 303. Dulcidius, bishop of Agen, built a church in his honour a hundred years after his death. Cf. Acta SS., Bolland, October, viii, pp. 815-23, and the other references given by U. Chevalier, Répertoire des sources hist. du Moyen Âge: Bio-bibliogr., col. 777.
Yzeures and Barrou. These places in the ancient diocese of Tours less than two miles apart and an equally short distance from the boundary of the diocese of Bourges. Our text has pagus Siodunensis, where Iciodorensis would be more correct, Iciodorum being probably the name of the former (Longnon, pp. 273-4).
Duke Bladast marched into the country of the Gascons. i.e. into the hill country on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees; the Gascons had not yet taken possession of the lower country towards the Garonne (cf. IX. 7). Bladast afterwards joined the pretender Gundovald, but was pardoned by Guntram through the intercession of Gregory. For the Gascons and their relation to the Franks, see Introduction, p. 173.
13. The town of Chinon (Cainonense castrum). In V. 11 (17) and X. 31 Gregory calls it a vicus.
8 (14). Making a great beacon-light. Gregory here describes something resembling Northern Lights. Cf. ch. 24 (33) of this book, and V. 12 (18).
15. Succumbing to this malady. It does not appear from the description that Felix died of plague. Giesebrecht (ad loc.) conjectures that the last sentence of the previous chapter is an addition, made erroneously by Gregory.
The agreement (consensum) which he had drafted This is a case o irregular action on the part of a dying bishop. Cf. Introduction, p. 297.
That I should go to Nantes. Gregory was metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province in which Nantes was. Cf. p. 551 and Introduction, p. 262.
9 (16). Bazas. The seat of a bishopric in the ecclesiastical province of Bordeaux (VI. 21, 31; G. M., ch. 12). Cf. Longnon, as above, p. 597.
10 (17). Chilperic... ordered the baptism of a number of Jews. This event took place at Paris. Compulsory baptism of Jews on a large scale is recorded on several occasions in Merovingian Gaul. Avitus, bishop of Clermont, forcibly converted five hundred (V. 6 (11), and Fortunatus, Carm. v. 5). Pope Gregory the Great condemned the use of such methods.
Which was in a street hard by. The text is: qui ad plateam propinquam erat, and in order to get the above sense qui must be changed to quae. If erant s read or erat, we might refer the verb to the servants of Phatyr, waiting for him in the street.
11(18). Ansovald. This duke, according to Fredegar, was the most loyal of Chilperic’s followers, supporting him to the last in his wars with Sigibert. Both he and Domigisel are frequently mentioned later in the History. Ansovald was one of those who accompanied Fredegund on her visit to the dying Praetextatus.
To inspect the dowry. i.e. of Rigunth, Chilperic’s daughter, betrothed to Recared, son of Leuvigild the Visigothic king. As Tacitus noted with regard to the earlier Germans (Germ., ch. 18), it was customary for the bridegroom to present a dowry to the bride. When Chilperic himself married the Visigothic princess, Galswinth, he presented her with five cities. The unfortunate adventures of the Princess Rigunth are recounted below (cf. ch. 32 (45); VII, 9, 15).
12 (19). At the bridge over the Orge. Here, south of Paris, was the frontier between the kingdoms of Chilperic and Guntram.
And sought full reconciliation with his brother. At this time Guntram may have given up to Chilperic the towns belonging to the Burgundian kingdom which the latter had usurped. Cf. chs. 12 and 22.
13 (20). Chrodin. He had the rank of duke. He is also eulogized by Fortunatus (Carm. ix. 16), who says that he is equally esteemed in Italy and in the Frankish dominions:
Itala terra tibi pariter Germania plaudunt,
Laus tua cunctorum semper in ore sonat.
Chrodin is the tutor and nutritor of all; he is a generale bonum, universally celebrated for piety, generosity, and justice. According to Fredegar (Chron. iii. 58) the Frankish aristocracy first chose Chrodin as nutritor to the young Childebert after Sigibert’s death, but he refused the office, urging that Gogo should be appointed.
15 (23). The cause of great woe. The word used is dolus; but as the infant died within two years (cf. ch. 34), dolor is probably intended.
16 (24). Gundovald... returned from Constantinople. For the pretender Gundovald, an important character among Gregory’s dramatis personae, cf. Introduction, p. 125.
He wore his hair long. Cf. II. 9, and Introduction, p. 383.
This is no son of mine. An illegitimate son of a king enjoyed full royal rights if his father publicly acknowledged him. This is what Lothar refused to do; the mere paternity he may have admitted. Cf. V. 20.
Then Sigibert summoned him. It is not clear why Sigibert claimed the right to do this, or why Charibert surrendered Gundovald.
Which is now called Colonia. The full Roman title was Colonia Claudia Agrippinensis. The Emperor Claudius, when he married Julia Agrippina, a native of the place, extended the title and enlarged the city This passage in Gregory shows how the name of Cologne derives from the first word of the title, the other two having been dropped.
Narses, who at that time held the chief command in Italy. The famous general of Justinian. Cf. IV. 9; V. 13 (19).
Invited... by a certain personage. The immediate agent was Guntram Boso, as Gregory knew well enough; he is perhaps referring to some more important person, perhaps among the Austrasian aristocracy.
Charging him with having introduced a foreigner, &c. Yet Guntram had himself been the introducer (cf. ch. 26 below, and VII. 36). It is to be noted that Theodore was handed over, not to any Austrasian official, but to a count of King Guntram. Many events in the History show that the character of Boso was consistent with any kind of villainy or impudence.
His lords and superiors (domini and seniores). The bishop means the leaders of the aristocratic party in Austrasia. For their powerful position, cf. V. 1; VI. 4; and Introduction, pp. 195 ff. The plot was against the royal power, so that domini cannot refer to the kings.
The count who guarded him. The word comes is used. At first sight it would seem unlikely that a man holding the official post of count should be told off to keep the bishop under his own eye. But so important a prisoner as Theodore may have been treated in an exceptional manner.
Bishop Epiphanius. He may have been bishop of Fréjus, and have succeeded Exspectatus (Ruinart, ad loc.).
An immense weight of silver and other treasure. The Emperor Maurice appears to have supplied Gundovald with a large sum of money, and may have been implicated for political reasons in the movement to find the pretender a Frankish throne.
17 (25). The church of the holy Laurence. Cf. ch. 9 above. The church was in existence in the time of Childebert I (Longnon, as above, p. 355).
18 (26). Velay. The men of Velay (Vellavi) were from the mountains of Velay in Haute-Loire. Their urbs was Revessio, the modern Saint-Paulier (Longnon, p. 532). For Anicium (Le Puy) in the Velay, see X. 25, and note on p. 600.
That the duke acted thus without his authority. It must be remembered that both Guntram Boso and Mummolus were now King Childebert’s men. Childebert II was naturally enraged when he heard that one of them was attacking the other with his royal brother’s army.
19 (27). The pact between his brothers and himself. This pact was entered into at the division following the death of Charibert. Cf. VII. 6.
By Ragnemod, bishop of Paris. Cf. V. 7 (14), 12 (18), 32. Ragnemod succeeded Germanus (S. Germain).
20 (28). The referendary Mark. Cf. V. 3, 45; VIII. 39; IX. 23, 33, 38; X. 19.
He shaved his head (caput totondit, atque poenitentiam accipiens spiritum exhalavit. Is it possible that we have here some approach to the usage, so common in the later Middle Ages, of assuming monastic garb (ad succurrendum) when on the point of death, in order to have better hope of pardon? (Cf. G. G. Coulton, Five Centuries of Religion, i (1923), p. 90). It is true that in these later times it was the monastic garb rather than any kind of tonsure upon which stress was laid. Nor is it certain that Mark’s shaving of the head was a tonsure, though it seems probable.
21 (29). For the glory of the blessed Cross. This was the fragment of the True Cross sent to Radegund by the Emperor Justin II and his consort Sophia, the arrival of which at Poitiers was celebrated by Fortunatus in several hymns; of which the most familiar begin with the lines Pange lingua gloriosi praelium certaminis, and Vexilla Regis prodeunt. The presence of this famous relic naturally made the monastery a place of pilgrimage. Cf. pp. 590, 595.
30. The empress Sophia. See preceding note, and cf. V. 13 (19), 23 (30). Tiberius had relegated her to a position of obscurity for complicity in a plot, and there is no evidence for his consultation with her when on his deathbed. Cf. Gibbon, Decline and Fall, ch. xlv, and N. H. Baynes in C. M. H. ii, p. 277. Gregory’s phrase ‘a certain Maurice’ shows how little he was acquainted with Byzantine history. The substance of this chapter is taken from Gregory by Paul the Deacon, Hist. Lang. ii. 15.
When the public mourning was over (celebrato iustitio). The Iustitium, or cessation of all business, with closing of the courts of justice, was, of course, an ancient Roman custom.
22 (31). Took from him a part of Marseilles. The possession of Marseilles became a cause of friction between Guntram and Childebert.
With the whole strength of the province entrusted to them. This provincia was, according to ch. 12, the southern part of Aquitaine.
Melun (Miglidunense castrum). This place (Seine-et-Marne) belonged to Guntram.
Châteaumeillant (Mediolanense castrum). In the department of Cher (cf. Longnon, p. 468).
King Guntram came up with an army against his brother. It was the exception for Guntram to take the field in person; his was not a warlike nature. Cf. Introduction, p. 53.
Put the count of Rouen to the sword. The phrase is gladio trucidavit, but it is perhaps unlikely that Chilperic cut down the count with his own hand; he is more likely to have sentenced him to summary execution.
The lower ranks raised loud murmurs (Magnum murmur... minor populus elevavit). Minor populus here means the ordinary free Franks called up to serve in the campaign. Their intervention against the foreign policy for the time pursued by the aristocratic party of their country is an interesting and significant event, showing that the Franks possessed political sagacity and common sense. They recognized the fact that the alliance with Chilperic, forced upon the young king Childebert II by Egidius and the notables, was not in the interest of Austrasia, which was better served by friendly relations with Guntram. The intrigues of Bishop Egidius and the Austrasian aristocratic party are discussed by Fauriel, Hist. de la Gaule méridionale, ii, ch. xvi.
23 (32). Or receive consecrated bread from thy hand. The word used is eulogias. Here it might almost mean ‘receive the Eucharist’. Cf. note on IV. 35.
Besought the army (depraecatusque est populum). For this meaning of populus during a campaign, cf. the note to the preceding chapter.
On a Sunday in the holy church (ecclesia sancta). This was the cathedral church of Paris (cf. P. Batiffol, Études de liturgie et d’arch. chrét., ch. vii, p. 235: this chapter is devoted to an account of the cathedral in the sixth century). It was to this church that Fredegund fled after Chilperic’s death (VII. 4).
This and this will I buy. We may compare the somewhat similar episode in Sidonius, where Arvandus the ex-prefect behaves in much the same way as Leudast (Ep. i. 8).
Lingering torture. It needed a Fredegund and a Chilperic to order slow torture in the case of an already dying man.
With a second they struck him upon the throat. The words ab alio in the text may be a misreading for gladio, in which case Leudast’s head would have been cut off. The whole passage reads; posito ad cervicem eius vecte immenso, ab alio ei gulam verberant.
24 (33). The province of Carpitania. Part of the present New Castile. The principal city was Toledo, the Visigothic capital. The envoys, having been to Toledo, had necessarily passed through the province.
Narbonne. This city, being in Septimania (see Introduction, p. 145), belonged to the Visigoths.
Seemed the breaking of the dawn. Northern Lights seem to be again described. Cf. above, V. 12 (18) and ch. 8 (14).
34. The envoy. Gregory has just mentioned ‘envoys’. He may mean a special envoy and his suite.
But she declined. The adventurous conduct of Basina as a leader of the ‘rebel nuns’ at Poitiers (IX. 39, 43; X. 15) makes it doubtful whether she would have refused, had Radegund not been still alive to exert an influence over her.
25 (35). The prefect Mummolus (praefectus). This is not the more distinguished bearer of this name, Guntram’s former general, and subsequent supporter of the pretender Gundovald. He was evidently a Court official, and we may suppose him to have been praefectus palatii. We have seen that the word praefectus is used by Gregory, apparently as an alternative for rector, to signify the governor of Provence. But Chilperic had no possessions in Provence, and the context suggests that a more domestic office is here described. ‘Mummolus the prefect’ is mentioned again in VII. 15.
An executioner. The text has lectorem, but none of the meanings applicable to that word seem suitable to the passage: a Reader (cf. Introduction, p. 273) is as unlikely to have been present as a literary slave. Lictorem has therefore been conjectured.
36. Occupied by his clergy. Bishops were forbidden to sleep in a room apart; cf. Introduction, p. 389. We must imagine, in every domus ecclesiae attached to a cathedral church, a dormitory room, with beds for one or more priests in addition to that of the bishop. The episode here described shows how necessary this arrangement was for the protection of the bishop from unscrupulous charges.
37. Summoned by Queen Brunhild. Though the queen-mother had suffered many rebuffs from the Austrasian aristocratic party since her return from captivity at Rouen, it is plain that she was still able to assert her dignity.
The domain of Ponthion (ad Pontigonem villam). The royal villa or domain of Pontico (Ponthion in the department of the Marne) had been used by Sigibert as a place of detention for Chilperic’s son Theudebert about 564 (IV. 16 (23)). Cf. Longnon, as above, p. 405.
38. That Ursicinus should keep possession, &c. The tenor of the passage seems to require this, but the text is ambiguous: scilicet ut parrochias quas numquam Rutina ecclesia tenuisse recolebatur, reciperet.
39. And ye... likened to Simon Magus. This speech, if really spoken, was honourable to Guntram, at a time when the Merovingian kings encouraged a shameless simony for their own profit. The character of Guntram is seen at its best in his relations with the Church, though he was unable to maintain himself this extreme height of probity. Cf. Introduction, p. 53.
Sulpicius. Although this bishop also bore the name Severus, and is praised as a man of letters, receiving the dedication of the Legend of the Seven Sleepers (once attributed to Gregory), he is of course not to be confused with the earlier writer Sulpicius Severus mentioned in I. 7; II. 1; and X. 31.
Coming of a senatorial family, among the first in Gaul... learned in rhetoric (de primis senatoribus Galliarum... in litteris bene eruditus rhetorices). For the term senator in the sense of one belonging to an old Gallo-Roman family of rank, cf. chs. 7 and 9 above, and Intr., p. 4. Cf. also IV. 8 (13) n. Rhetoric here means something akin to literae humaniores, the higher culture in all its branches; as taught in the schools it was not confined to oratory.
26 (40). Left the princess with the Greeks. i.e. with the representatives of the Byzantine power in Spain. She died at Carthage on her way to Constantinople. A few chapters farther on, Gregory says that Leuvigild was unable to recover Ingund from the Byzantine Greeks (eripere non potuit).
He did not give the kiss of peace. In early times before the Consecration, when the priest gave the blessing of peace, the members of the congregation kissed each other. Cf. Introduction, p. 338. In later times a panel bearing a sacred subject was passed round to be kissed, whence its name of pax.
27 (41). At this time a son was born to him, whom he ordered to be brought up on the royal domain of Vitry (villa Victoriacensis). This domain was on the Scarpe, in the Pas-de-Calais, about 12 miles east-north-east of Arras; nine years before it had been the scene of Sigibert’s murder (IV. 36 (51)). Cf. Longnon, Géogr., p. 13. The name of this son was Lothar, afterwards Lothar II, destined to enjoy exalted fortunes, and reign over the greater part of France.
For fear that, if he were seen... lose his life. What Chilperic feared was the practice of witchcraft and sorcery, in which both he and Fredegund firmly believed.
28 (42). King Childebert now marched into Italy. Cf. Paul the Deacon, Hist. Lang. xii. 17, who takes his facts from this chapter; L. M. Hartmann in C. M. H. ii, p. 199. This expedition is also described, like the other Frankish invasions, by T. Hodgkin, Italy and her Invaders, vol. v.
29 (43). In a certain Spanish city (et in civitatem aliquam Hispaniae resediret). This was Seville, taken by Leuvigild in this year (584). Hermangild fled to Cordova, then in Byzantine possession, where he was captured, the story running that the prefect Comitiolus betrayed the town for thirty thousand solidi. He was finally put to death at Tarragona (John of Biclar in M. G. H., Chronica Minora, ii, p. 217; and one MS. of Isidore of Seville, ibid., p. 287). The bare fact of his death is stated by Gregory (VIII. 28).
Mir, king of Galicia. Cf. V. 30 (41). See also John of Biclar, Chron., year 583-4. The name of his son is given by John as Eboric, not Euric, as here, but Euaricus and Evaricus were other forms easily leading to that of Eboric.
Where the springs in the church are divinely filled. Cf. V. 11 (17).
The prince’s consort... hands of the Greeks. Cf. pp. 518, 547, 577.
32 (45). To be taken from various royal estates. This passage illustrates the absolute power of the king over the people on his estates, a power shared by other landowners. Cf. Introduction, pp. 390 ff. The word familia is used: familias multas de domibus fiscalibus auferre praecepit. Many men were fiscalini, some of them probably skilled in various crafts (cf. Introduction, p. 162).
Many among those forced to go were of good birth (maiores natu). The words maiores natu generally refer to position rather than to age. It would therefore seem that Chilperic pressed freemen as well as serfs, and these may have included Franks as well as Gallo-Romans. For the making of wills in Merovingian times, cf. C. Galy, La famille mérov., p. 329.
One of these envoys... was suspected. This sentence, which interrupts the context, may have been inserted by Gregory after the composition of the book.
O evil hour! (Mala hora). This is the French ‘Malheur!’
Golden bridles, together with two large basins. The basins, if not of gold, would certainly have been of silver. For the astonishing wealth of the Merovingians in gold and ornaments and plate, cf. Introduction, p. 433.
Went as conductor of the bride. Gregory uses the word paranymphus. In the Roman wedding the paranymphus, or bridesman, conducted the bridegroom; the paranympha, or bridesmaid, the bride.
Waddo, mayor of the household (maior domus). Every adult member of a Merovingian royal family provided with an establishment had a maior domo. Cf. above, ch. 9. Waddo is often mentioned later in the History, especially in Book VII.
Chamberlains (camerarii). Cf. IV. 7.
33 (46). Some man unknown. The murderer was never arrested. Gregory (VII. 7) throws the blame on Fredegund, and is followed by other early authorities, except Fredegar, who accuses Falco, an emissary of Brunhild (Chron. iii. 93). There seems to be no real evidence against Fredegund. Cf. Introduction, p. 122.
Few priests were raised to bishoprics. Chilperic ‘presented’ laymen, who only became clerics when instant promotion to episcopal rank was assured.
Taking Sedulius as his model. Sedulius was a Christian poet of the fifth century, whose principal work was entitled Carmen Paschale. He is mentioned by Fortunatus, Vita S. Martini, 1. 16. For Chilperic’s efforts as a writer on theology, cf. V. 32 (44).
Camped in his tent. Probably the king’s house at Chelles was unable to accommodate all those persons of rank seeking audience of the king. Such persons, if likely to be kept waiting (as in Chilperic’s reign bishops often were), would pitch their travelling tents, and live in them near the royal residence.
In the cathedral church. It has been noted, in the case of Tours, that the principal church, or cathedral, is generally described by Gregory as ecclesia, to distinguish it from the other churches, which he calls basilicas (cf. n. to III. 10 on p. 509). If the distinction applies in the present case, Fredegund was not present at Chilperic’s interment.