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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 8, 6. Of Those Whom We Presented to the King
Now on the following day1 the king went hunting. On his return, I brought into his presence Garachar, count of Bordeaux, and Bladast, who, as I have above related,2 had taken refuge in the church of the holy Martin because they had joined the party of Gundovald. At first I could gain nothing by my intercession on their behalf, yet I went on as follows: ‘Let thy mightiness hearken, O king. Behold, I am sent to thee, a messenger from my lord. What answer shall I return to him who sent me, since thou wilt make me no reply?’ At this he was astonished, and said: ‘And who is this thy lord, who hath sent thee?’ I answered with a smile: ‘The blessed Martin; he it is who hath sent me.’ Thereupon he commanded the men to be brought before him. But no sooner did they come within his sight than he reproached them with their many acts of perjury and treason, calling them over and over again ‘cunning foxes’. Yet he restored them to his favour, and gave them back all that had been taken from them.
Notes
- 6th July.
- VII. 37, though nothing is there said of Garachar. It is only said that Bladast escaped from Convenae.