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ER 1917
Queen Fredegundis sends two clerics to kill King Childebert or at least Queen Brunhildis, ca 585. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Histories", Tours (Gaul), AD 585–594.
VIII.29
 
Two clerics were entrusted by Queen Fredegundis with the assassination of King Childebert with poisoned daggers. If King Childebert would prove to be too hard a target, the clerics, disguised as beggars, are to strike at Queen Brunhildis. The clerics are subsequently caught, tortured, have their hands, ears and noses cut off, and executed.
 
(ed. Krusch 1937: 391–393; summarised by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Judging by the place of this passus in Gregory's narrative, these events took place ca 585.

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: The History of the Franks, Gregorii episcopi Turonensis historiarum libri X, Histories
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Gregory of Tours (Gaul) wrote his ten books of Histories (known commonly in English as the History of the Franks) during his episcopal reign in Tours between 573 and 594. The books vary in scope and length. The first book covers 5,596 years from the creation of the world to AD 397, that is the death of Saint Martin of Tours, Gregory`s predecessor in bishopric. The second book deals with the history of Gaul between 397 and 511, the latter being the year of death of King Clovis I. The third and fourth books cover the next 64 years till the death of Austrasian King Sigibert II in 575. Finally, the following six books describe exclusively the sixteen years from 575 to 591. Probably in 594, Gregory added the list of bishops of Tours in the end of the Histories, with brief accounts of their actions.
Edition:
B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Historiarum Libri X [in:] Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingiciarum 1.1, Hannover 1884 (repr. 1951): 1­-537.
 
Translation:
Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, trans. L. Thorpe, London 1974.

Categories:

Described by a title - Clericus
    Public functions and offices after ordination - Court office
      Public law - Secular
        Relation with - Monarch and royal/imperial family
          Administration of justice - Secular
            Administration of justice - Capital punishment
              Administration of justice - Corporal punishment
                Conflict - Violence
                  Administration of justice - Imprisonment
                    Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1917, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1917
                    Record by: Jerzy Szafranowski
                    last edited: 2020-03-29 09:48:12
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