The Presbyters Project

4.2

Tunc et Proculus ille presbiter, inruptis Lovolautrensis castri muris, ab ingredientibus hostibus ante ipsum eclesiae altare gladiorum ictibus in frustra discerptus est, reddiditque illi Dominus, sicut sacerdos cantare consueverat, secundum opera sua.

(ed. Krusch 1885: 225)

4.2

Then indeed, when the castle of Vollore was taken, the presbyter Proculus fled in vain from the invading troops to the altar of the church, and was hacked to pieces by the blows of their swords. And the Lord thus dealt with him according to his works, as the holy bishop used to repeat.

(trans. James 1985: 24, slightly altered)

Discussion:

Proculus was probably transferred from Clermont to Vollore after his conflict with bishop Quintianus of Clermont, see [11]. The same event is also described by Gregory in his History of the Franks, see [1717]. Vollore was captured by the forces of Frankish King Theuderic I of Austrasia during his raid on Auvergne in ca 524/525.

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Vollore

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: Life of the Fathers, Vita Patrum, Liber Vitae Patrum
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Gregory of Tours (bishop of Tours in Gaul in 573-594) started writing his Life of the Fathers some time before 587 and finished it around 592 or slightly later, as shown by the cross-references to his other works. It is a collection of twenty Gallic saints` lives of different lengths. They are all in some way connected to Gregory`s family or church interests, while also exemplifying different virtues leading to sanctity. Saints presented in the Life of the Fathers are all either ascetics or bishops.

More on the text: James 1991: ix-xxv.

Edition:

B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Miracula et Opera Minora, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum 1.2, Hannover 1885, 211-294.

Translation:

Gregory of Tours, Life of the Fathers, trans. by E. James, Liverpool 1991.

Categories:

Ecclesiastical transfer

PR19.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR19.

Conflict

PR19.

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

PR19.

Relation with - Monarch and royal/imperial family

PR19.

Relation with - Secular authority

PR19.

Further ecclesiastical career - None

PR19.

Administration of justice - Secular

PR19.

Administration of justice - Capital punishment

PR19.

Conflict - Violence

PR19.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER15, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=15