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History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 7, 16. Of the Return of Bishop Praetextatus

Bishop Praetextatus, whom the citizens of Rouen had recalled from banishment after the king’s death, returned to his bishopric, and was restored to the city¹ in triumph. After his return he came to Paris and presented himself to King Guntram, entreating him to make a thorough investigation of his case. The queen, on her side, maintained that he ought not to be taken back, since he had been removed from his episcopal office at Rouen by the sentence of forty-five bishops. The king would have summoned a council to deal with the matter; but Ragnemod, bishop of Paris, made answer in the name of all: ‘Know that the bishops sentenced him to do penance, but by no means removed him from his bishopric.’ The king therefore received him, and admitted him to his board; after which he returned to his own city.

Notes

Of Rouen.