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History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 2, 36. Of Bishop Quintianus

This was the reason why Quintianus, bishop of Rodez, incurred hatred and was driven from the city. Men said to him: ‘It is because thou desirest the Franks to become masters and possess this land.’ A few days afterwards there was a quarrel between him and the citizens. Those of the Gothic nation dwelling in the town were suspicious of him, and the citizens accused him of wishing to bring them under the Frankish rule. They took counsel together, and planned to put him to the sword. But the man of God was warned, and rising in the night with the most faithful of his attendants, left Rodez and came to Clermont. There he was kindly received by the holy bishop Eufrasius, successor to Aprunculus of Dijon, who kept him with him, and bestowed on him houses, lands, and vineyards, saying: ‘The riches of this church suffice to support us both; only let the brotherly love preached by the blessed apostle continue among the priests of God.’ The bishop of Lyons also presented him with possessions of his church in Auvergne. The remaining history of the holy Quintianus, both the treachery which he endured, and the works which the Lord deigned to perform by his hands, is written in the book containing his life.