DLH VII.21

English, pp.

While these things were happening, King Guntram set off for Chaton in an attempt to find out the truth concerning his brother's death. Queen Fredegund tried to put the blame on the Treasurer, Eberulf. After the death of King Chilperic, she had asked him to come to live with her, but he had refused. A bitter enmity had resulted between them, and the Queen now alleged that it was he who had killed Chilperic, that he had stolen much of the treasury and had then gone off with it to Touraine. If the King wished to avenge his brother's death, let him know that this was the ringleader in the crime. King Guntram swore before all his leaders that he would destroy not only Eberulf himself but his children down to the ninth generation, so that by their death an end might be put to an abominable habit and no more kings be assassinated. As soon as Eberulf heard of this, he sought sanctuary in the church of Saint Martin, whose property he had often made off with. It was thought necessary to set up a guard over him, and the men of Orleans and Blois took it in turns to keep watch. They duly arrived, but, when they had stayed fifteen days, they set off home again, taking with them a vast amount of loot, carrying off pack-animals, cattle and whatever they could lay their bands on. These men who had stolen Saint Martin's animals then quarrelled among themselves and started thrusting each other through with their spears. Two of them, who were driving off the mules, came to the house of one of the local inhabitants and began to ask for a drink. The man said that he had none, so they levelled their spears and were about to transfix him. Thereupon he drew his sword and pierced them both. They fell to the ground and died on the spot. Saint Martin's beasts arrived home safe. So many crimes were committed on this occasion by the men of Orleans that it is impossible to tell them all.

Latin, pp.

21. De fuga et custodia Eberulfi.

His ita gestis, cum rex Gunthchramnus Cabillonno regressus mortem fratris conaretur inquirere et regina crimen super Eberulfum cobicularium inposuissit - rogatus enim fuerat ab ea, ut post mortem regis cum ipsa resederet, sed optenere non potuit - haec ergo inimicitia pullulante, adseruit regina ab eodem principem interfectum, ipsumque multa de thesauris abstulisse et sic in Toronicum abscessisse, ideoque, si rex mortem fratris desideraret ulciscere, noverit huius causae hunc esse signiferum. Tunc rex iuravit omnibus optimatibus, quod non modo ipsum , verum etiam progeniem eius in nonam generationem deleret, ut per horum necem consuetudo auferretur iniqua, ne reges amplius interficerentur. Quod cum Eberulfus conperissit, basilicam sancti Martini, cuius res saepe pervaserat, expetivit. Tunc data occansione, ut custodiretur, Aurilianensis adque Blesensis vicissim ad has excubias veniebant, impletisque quindecim diebus, cum praeda multa revertebantur, adducentis iumenta, pecora vel quodcumque derepere potuissent. Ille vero, qui beati Martini iumenta abduxerant, commota altercatione, se invicem lanceis transfixerunt. Duo, qui mulas diripiebant, ad domum vicini cuiusdam accedentes, potum rogare coeperunt. Cumque ille se habere negarit, elevatis lanceis ut eum transfoderent, hic extracto gladio utrumque perfodit, cecideruntque ambo et mortui sunt; iumenta tamen sancti Martini reddita sunt. Tantaque ibi tunc mala per hos Aurilianensis gesta sunt, ut nequeant explicari.

Notes:

• Story of Joseph & Potiphars wife