E02147: Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (5.32), tells the story of an oath sworn in 579 on the tomb of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), in his church in Paris, which provoked fighting and bloodshed within the church. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 579/594.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2016
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Histories (Historiae) 5.32<br><br>Apud Parisius autem mulier quaedam ruit in crimine, adserentibus multis, quasi quod, relicto viro, cum alio misceretur. Igitur parentes illius accesserunt ad patrem, dicentes: 'Aut idoneam redde filiam tuam, aut certe moriatur, ne stuprum hoc generi nostro notam infligat'. 'Novi', inquit pater, 'ego filiam meam bene idoneam; nec est verum verbum hoc, quod mali homines proloquuntur. Tamen ne crimen consurgat ulterius, innocentem eam faciam sacramento'. Et illi: 'Si', inquiunt, 'est innoxia, super tumulum hoc beati Dionisi martyris sacramentis adfirma'. 'Faciam', inquit pater. Tunc inito placito ad basilicam martyris sancti conveniunt; elevatisque pater manibus super altarium, iuravitque, filiam non esse culpabilem. E contrario vero periurasse eum, alii a parte viri pronuntiant. His ergo altercantibus, evaginatis gladiis in se invicem proruunt atque ante ipsum altarium se trucidantur. Erant enim maiores natu et primi apud Chilpericum regem. Saucianturque multi gladiis, respergitur sancta humano cruore basilica, ostia iaculis fodiuntur et ensibus, atque usque ad ipsum sepulcrum tela iniqua desaeviunt. Quod dum vix mitigatur, locus officium perdidit, donec ista omnia ad regis notitiam pervenirent. Hi vero properantes ad praesentiam principis, non recipiuntur in gratia; sed et ad episcopum loci illius remissi, iussum est, ut, si de hoc facinus culpabiles non inveniebantur, sociarentur communioni. Tunc ab episcopo Ragnimodo, qui Parisiacae ecclesiae praeerat, componentes quae male gesserant, in communione ecclesiastica sunt recepti. Mulier vero non post multis diebus, cum ad iudicium vocaretur, laqueo vitam finivit. <br><br>'In Paris a woman who had left her husband was accused by a number of people of living with another man. The husband's relations went to the woman’s father and said: 'Either you must prove your daughter’s innocence or else let her die, lest this disgrace brand our family.’ ‘I know that my daughter is completely innocent,’ answered the father. 'There is no truth at all in this rumour which is being spread by malicious people. I will prove her innocence by an oath and so stop the accusation going any farther.’ If she really is innocent,’ they replied, ‘swear an oath to that effect on the tomb of the blessed Denis, the martyr.' 'I will do so,’ said her father. Having agreed to this, they went off together to the holy martyr’s church. The father raised his hands over the altar and swore that his daughter was not guilty. The husband’s supporters declared that he had perjured himself. An argument ensued, in which they all drew their swords, rushed at each other and started killing each other in front of the altar. These men were of noble birth and among the leaders of Chilperic’s court. Many received sword-wounds, the holy church was spattered with human blood, the portals were pierced with swords and javelins, and weapons were drawn in senseless anger at the very tomb of Saint Denis. Peace was restored with great difficulty, but services could not be held in the church until what had happened was brought to the notice of the king. Both parties rushed off to court, but Chilperic refused to exonerate any of them. He sent them to the local bishop with orders that only if they were found not guilty were they to be admitted to communion. They paid a fine for their offences, and so were readmitted to communion by Bishop Ragnemod, who had charge of the church in Paris. A few days later the woman in question was summoned to trial, but she strangled herself with a rope.'<br><br>Text: Krusch and Levison 1951, 237. Translation: Thorpe 1974, 294-295, lightly modified.