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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 42. Of the Miraculous Power of the Holy Martin
After this the judges1 issued an order that all who had been slow in joining the late expedition should be punished. The count of Bourges sent his servants to collect the fine from such delinquents in a house belonging to the blessed Martin, situated in that territory. But the overseer of this property resisted stoutly, saying: ‘These be Martin’s men; do them no injury, since it is not customary for them to serve upon such occasions.’ They answered: ‘What care we for this Martin, of whom thou ever idly pratest in such affairs? But thou and these men shall pay the fine for neglecting the king’s command.’ So saying, one entered the court of the house. And straightway he was stricken with great anguish, and fell down, and was in evil case. Then, turning towards the overseer, he said in a tearful voice: ‘I pray thee make over me the sign of our Lord’s Cross, and call on the name of the blessed Martin. Now know I how great is his power; for as I came into the court of the house, I saw an aged man hold out a tree in his hand, whose boughs spread and covered all the court. One branch thereof touched me, and smote me so that I was confounded and fell.’ Then the overseer made sign to his followers to put him forth from the court. And when he was without, he began to call fervently on the name of the blessed Martin. And thereby he had ease of his pain, and was healed.
Notes
- i.e. the counts in various cities.