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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 6, 34. Of the Death of Chilperic’s Son, Theuderic
Once more came envoys from Spain. They brought gifts, and in conference with King Chilperic formally arranged the betrothal of his daughter1 to the son of King Leuvigild,2 according to the previous understanding.3 The agreement made, and all points settled, the envoy took his departure.
But now a new sorrow befell King Chilperic as he left Paris for a visit to the territory of Soissons. His son, who a year before had been washed in the water of holy baptism,4 was attacked by dysentery and breathed his last: this therefore was the event prefigured by the bright light which escaped out of the cloud, as I have above recounted. They returned with infinite lamentation to Paris, and gave the boy burial; thereupon they sent after the envoy, bidding him return, that the execution of the agreement might be postponed. For the king said: ‘Behold, I bear a burden of lamentation in my home, and how shall I celebrate the espousal of my daughter? ’
At this time he was fain to have sent to Spain another daughter,5 born to him by Audovera, and placed by him in the monastery of Poitiers. But she declined, the blessed Radegund above all opposing the project, declaring: ‘It is unseemly that a maid dedicated to Christ should return to the pleasures of the world.’
Notes
- Rigunth.
- Recared.
- Cf. ch. 21 (29), above.
- Cf. ch. 19 (27), above.
- Basina; cf. IX. 39. Rigunth was his daughter by Fredegund.