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History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 5, 21. Of the Breton Winnoch

At this time Winnoch the Breton, one most austere in fasting, came to Tours, desiring to visit Jerusalem; his only garments were of sheepskin shorn of the wool. In order to induce him to abide with us, as he seemed to us of great holiness, we conferred on him the dignity of the priesthood. Ingitrude,¹ the religious, was in the habit of collecting water from the tomb of the holy Martin. Water one day failing, she asked leave to bring a vessel of wine to the saint’s tomb. After it had remained there a whole night, she ordered it to be taken up in the presence of this priest, and when it was brought to her she said to him: ‘Draw off some wine, and pour in a single drop of the blessed water, of which I have but a little left.’ He did so; and, wondrous to relate, the vessel, which had been half empty, was filled to the brim on the falling into it of the single drop. Likewise, when it had been emptied two or three times again, each time one drop filled it. Without doubt the power of the blessed Martin was seen in this.

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