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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 46. Of the Death of Christopher
In those days a merchant, Christopher by name, journeyed to Orleans, having heard that a large quantity of wine had been brought there. He went, bought the wine, and had it transported in boats; he himself with two Saxon servants travelled on horseback; he had on him a large sum of money received from his father-in-law. These servants had long loathed their master, and many times had run away from him, because he often had them cruelly flogged. After they had entered into a certain wood, one of them hurled his lance with all his force, and pierced his master, who was riding ahead. He fell to earth, and the other servant cut him about the head with spear-thrusts; so, hacked to pieces by them both, he was left lying dead, while they made off in flight with the money. The brother of Christopher buried the body, and sent his men after the servants. The younger was caught and bound; the elder, who had the money, got away. On their way back the captive, whose bonds had been left too loose, seized a spear and killed one of his guards. But the others brought him into Tours, where he underwent divers tortures and mutilation. When he was already dead, he was hanged upon a gibbet.