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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 8, 22. Of the Death of Certain Bishops and of Wandalen
In this year died Laban, bishop of Eauze. He was succeeded by Desiderius, a layman, though the king had promised never to appoint a layman bishop; but to what will not the cursed thirst of gold persuade the hearts of men?1 Bertram,2 on his return home from the council, was attacked by a fever. He summoned the deacon Waldo, who had also received in baptism the name of Bertram, transmitted to him the authority of his episcopal office, and entrusted him with the execution of the terms of his will and his charitable bequests. No sooner was Waldo departed from him, than he gave up the ghost. Waldo returned, and made haste to the king with gifts and the formal consent of the citizens. But it availed him nothing. For the king sent a diploma ordering the consecration of Gundegisel, count of Saintes, surnamed Dodo; which now took place. Before the council, many of the clergy of Saintes, with the connivance of Bishop Bertram, had written an attack against their bishop Palladius in order to humiliate him. After Bertram’s death, the bishop arrested them, and had them severely flogged and mulcted.
Wadelen,3 governor of King Childebert, died at this time, but no one was appointed in his place, because the queen-mother desired herself to have charge of her son. All that Wadelen had received from the domain now returned to the administration of the royal treasury. Duke Bodigisil also died, full of days, and his sons inherited his estate without diminution. Saius replaced Faustus, bishop of Auch. The same year, on the death of the holy Salvius, the people of Albi received Desideratus as their bishop.
Notes
- Virgil, Aen. iii. 56, Gregory’s favourite quotation; cf. p. 155, above.
- Bishop of Bordeaux.
- Or Wandelen; cf. VI. 1.