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History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 7, 34. How Gundovald Went to Convenae

Now when Gundovald heard that an army¹ was approaching, he crossed the Garonne and made for Convenae with Bishop Sagittarius and the dukes Mummolus and Bladast; Waddo was also with him, but Duke Desiderius had abandoned his cause. The city crowns an isolated height, with no other mountain near. A great spring issuing from the foot of the hill is enclosed by a very strong tower; men go down to it by a covered way and thus draw water without being exposed to view. Gundovald entered the city at the beginning of Lent, and addressed the people of the town in these words: ‘Ye know that I am chosen king by all men in the realm of Childebert, and that I have with me no small power. But since my brother, King Guntram, hath sent a huge army against me, ye must bring within the walls all your provisions and all your gear, that ye perish not for want before the divine goodness bringeth me increased support.’ They believed his words, and collecting within the walls all that they could lay hands upon, prepared to make resistance. At this juncture King Guntram sent a letter to Gundovald in the name of Queen Brunhild, advising him to forsake and disband his army, himself keeping out of sight and passing the winter at Bordeaux: he wrote this with cunning intent, in order that he might learn of him more fully what he meant to do. But Gundovald remained at Comminges, and spoke to the people, saying: ‘Behold, the army draweth nigh; sally forth now, and make resistance.’ They sallied forth; but his men seized and closed the gates, shutting out the bishop² and all the people, and took possession of everything which they found in the town. They discovered such quantity of corn and wine that if they had stood fast like men, provision had not failed them for the space of many years.

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