E05919: In the anonymous Life of the Jura Fathers, the author describes how Agrippinus, Count of Gaul, was released from prison with the help of *Lupicinus (late 5th-century ascetic of the Jura, S00003); in Gaul and Rome in 460/480. Written in Latin at Condat in the Jura mountains (modern Saint-Claude in eastern Gaul), about 512/520.
Creators: name: Dlambert
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: The Life of the Jura Fathers 96-110 (Life of Saint Lupicinus the Abbot)<br><br>Summary:<br><br>96. Lupicinus once brought it about through prayer in his monastery that a friend was released from imprisonment in Rome. Many older people remember this (quod longevos forsitan meminisses non ambigo). Count Agrippinus was accused before the emperor by Aegidius, the military commander (magister militum) in Gaul, of secretly trying to hand over provinces to the barbarians.<br><br>97-9. Agrippinus became aware of the plot against him. Aegidius gave him deceitful assurances that all would be well. Agrippinus told Aegidius that if this was true then Aegidius should accept Lupicinus as guarantor (fideiussor) of his promise, which Aegidius did.<br><br>100. Agrippinus travelled to Rome, where, without having the chance to defend himself, he was sentenced to death by the emperor and thrown into prison to await execution.<br><br>101. Lupicinus was immediately aware of Agrippinus' imprisonment:<br><br>Ad vero sanctum Lupicinum confestim facinus omne non latuit, nam et memoratus Agripinus iugi suggestione fideiussorem suum conveniebat in spiritum.<br><br>'Lupicinus knew right away all about the villainy because the above-mentioned Agrippinus was by constant petition through the Spirit asking for his pledge and surety.'<br><br>102-4. Lupicinus prayed unceasingly and imposed constant penance on himself, eating only uncooked cabbage-hearts and turnips. One night he came to the imprisoned Agrippinus in a vision (per visionem), and pointed to the corner of his cell, telling him to loosen the stone there and crawl out. Agrippinus woke and loosened the stone, revealing a way out through which he crawled. He wished to take refuge in the shrine of Saint Peter (ad refugium apostolica limina expeteret) but did not know how to get there, and sought directions (§ 104): <br><br>Cocullo ergo capiti obducto, quo iret, poenitus ignorabat. Interea ad dextram prospiciens, veteranum quendam religiosum monachum, se mentiens peregrinum, qualiter ad basilicam apostolici culminis recte possit pergere, percontatus est. At ille: 'Per Vaticanum', quo nunc famosissimo in publicis porticibus loco cellulae debilium ex uno sunt latere contignate [...]<br><br>'With his head covered by a cowl, he had no idea where he was going. Meanwhile, looking to the right, he saw a certain venerable and God-fearing monk; pretending to be a pilgrim, he asked how he could get directly to the basilica of the chief of the Apostles. The monk responded: "By way of the Vatican", that most famous place, where on one side of the public porticos small shelters have now been pieced together for the sick [...]'<br><br>105. He entered St Peter's basilica (sancti Petri basilicam), where he prostrated himself, praying for forgiveness for his sins, and release from his current plight. During the night, Lupicinus again appeared to him in a vision (per visionem). Agrippinus rejoiced at his escape, but admitted that he was very hungry. Lupicinus promised that he would send food to him at daybreak.<br><br>106. At dawn, a senator's wife (senatrix) turned from the tomb of the Apostle after praying (a confessione apostoli post orationem verteret) and noticed Agrippinus. Judging him to be a pilgrim, and also someone of no humble family (non exigue familae), she told her servant to give him two solidi and promised to come back with more.<br><br>107-110. Agrippinus bought some food at the market, then returned to the outer courtyard (atrium exterius) of St Peter's. There he heard some men from the palace discussing his case, and joined the conversation without revealing his identity. They said that following his escape, everyone regretted the unjust way he had been treated and was afraid of what he might do if he returned to Gaul: if he were now found he would be treated with the greatest honour. Agrippinus then revealed who he was. The emperor and the people rejoiced at the news; Agrippinus was showered with gifts and acquitted of all the charges.<br><br>[...] Nec mora praesentatus Augusto est, publicata accusatione, suspicione solutus est, atque ad Gallias repedans, haec quae retulimus auditu, Christi servo prostratus gratias referens, quoram omnibus retulit.<br><br>'He was presented to the emperor without delay; the charges were publicly presented and he was cleared of suspicion. He returned to Gaul and, prostrate before the servant of Christ, he gave thanks, and related before everyone the events I have recounted here.'<br><br><br>Text: Martine 1968, 342-354. Translations: Vivian et al. 1999, 148-150, 152 (adapted). Summary: David Lambert/Katarzyna Wojtalik.