Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 1935
An anonymous presbyter reveals to Beppolenus, commander of King Guntram`s army, the location of Breton forces, AD 590. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Histories", Tours (Gaul), AD 590-594.
X.9
 
King Guntram of Burgundy sent his army under the command of dukes Beppolenus and Ebracharius against the Bretons.
 
Interea venerunt ad Vicinoniam amnem, quo transmissi, ad Uldam fluvium pervenerunt; ibique dissipatis vicinitatis casis, pontes desuper statuunt, sic que exercitus omnis transivit. Coniunctus enim fuerat eo tempore Beppoleno presbiter quidam, dicens: "Si secutus me fueris, ego te usque Warocum ducam ac Brittanos tibi in unum collectos ostendam".
 
It is unclear whether Beppolenus followed the presbyter's advice.
 
(ed. Krusch 1937: 491; summarised by J. Szafranowski)
X.9
 
King Guntram of Burgundy sent his army under the command of dukes Beppolenus and Ebracharius against the Bretons.
 
They came to the River Vilaine, crossed it and reached the River Oust. There they destroyed all the houses near the bank and constructed bridges over the river, so that entire army crossed. At this point Beppolenus was approached by a certain presbyter, who said: "If you follow me, I will lead you to Warocus and show you the Bretons all assembled in one place."
 
It is unclear whether Beppolenus followed the presbyter's advice.
 
(trans. Thorpe 1974: 556, altered and summarised by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Judging by the place of this passus in Gregory's narrative, these events took place in 590.
 
River Oust is the tributary to the River Vilaine, it joins it near the present-day Redon, some 50 km east of Vannes.

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Clermont

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 - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Public functions and offices after ordination - Military activity
Relation with - Noble
Relation with - Soldier/Warrior
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1935, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1935