The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-23

Morning Stlf and Catholic Messenger
HEw ORIEANs. SUNDAY. oCTOBxR %. lsao.
(rraaslatel iron tia Essnch FOR the Morpine star,
THE KING or Yvxror.
The origin Of the kingdom Of Yyetot +
aec!i6ed TO Cl0taire T., and this curiou,
ntt.e history has claim upon our consid.
Although the title Of King of Yvetot ha.
ceco0e IN some sort proverbial, the histo-
tsens that grace our libraries scarcely
oe.se 60 oestow q passing word upon It's
exasoence-though very small, it was, new
Eesc.igaass, according to Jodocus Sincerus,
~ his xtaaerGivc do Ia Gaule.
IcetOt is q hamlet in Normandy, two
leagues from Caadebec and seven leagues
1oaa Rouen. This tract of land belonged,
~ tabe sixth century to Vauthier or Gan.
tAhaE, CAamberlain of Clotaire l., the son
afCaocis and Clotilda. OF Vauthier moth
1ng 70 known except that he received the
Aaads OF fvetot as 9 military benefice, was
anobsesnan or chief of distinction, esteem
Cd for his integrity. and renowned for his
exploits in time of war. Moreover. he en-
3oyed the confidence of the King and his
Intimate friendship; his infiuenc. strength
ened day by day, and the courtiers re.
eolved upon his ruin. During an absence
on court, Gney illuminated him to the
monarch The charge preferred against
xauthier is not explicitly mentioned, but
taae plot was managed with SO much ad-
oress that in furyi Clotaire swore he
you'd With his own hand kill the Lord of
Yvet0t at sight.
In Ascse days it was not uncommon for
soVeeeagns to act at once as judges and ex-
IaEoraaed by his friends of the princes
wrath, Vauthier sought to avoid the con-
se4u+oces OF disgrace by leaving the coun-
uans wiao were inimical alike to his King
ana Ass religion. Fhs event took place in
the year SIS, Clotaire having the seat of
ms g0vernment at Scissors.
After ten years of heroic valor, vauthier
returned. covered with glory, hoping to
nno the Kings wrath appeased. But it
appears the Obduracy of evil passions was
lasting; besides, the enemies of the warrior.
Wishing to hold hiir at a distance, fed the
royal eager.
vent set out for Rome and solicited the
1ad OF Pope Agapetus, who gave him let
pers q aa1ity for King Clotaire. Possessed
or venerable support, Vauti,ier turn ,
ca e y Rs towards Scissors, and selected
Good Fftaay, the great day Of redemption,
and the foot Of the altar, during the cele- '
bration of the Holy Offices, before veiied
y aio0ls of salvation, to present himself =
before the Hing. As an unarmed suppliant, E
or 1ensed knee, he presented the letters :
d6n,i guilty, through the merits of Him :
who GA that day shed His blood for the !.
redemption of man.
The memorable Clotaire no sooner re-
cognized Eauthier than, without regard :,
Tor the sacredness of the place or the Ioii- =:
ness OF the day, he raised his ponderous y
sword aud, with one blow, slew the Cham :,
pertain in the very sanctuary. o
Such fmp!acable fury leads us to pre- ~ =.
une thae the accusation against Vauthier " !"
vas 81 very serious nature; but scarcely I +
nd the blood thus shed become cold, than =,
;iotalre Was Modified. The letter of Pope - g,
lgapetus. attesting the innocence of the 3,
tec.ased. was read to him; he was remind -, -,
q that ht-'.'"l committed crime aud -
acriiece- sse-m which the Head of the -
'hurch ,,stts alone absolve him. Passing - +:
rom tr't's:> {" despair, the king sent W
1essen ger hot haste to Rome. The en- v
0y aitive4 just as the holy Pope drew co
ear ats end: His holiness decided that a. a.
;lotaire could be pardoned only by making so 80
aost coaapsete satisfaction for the murder; ~
u knew nothing superior to the dig Jul
ity ct King. Wishing sincerely to repair an
Is crime, he erected the tief Of Yvetot in e eqq
; kingdoas, in behalf of the children of on
auehser, and drew up promptly papers to ha
md this was in virtue of law of the tat
efs, which freed the vassal from all hom- sn'
go aud fealSy if his sovereign laid violent ed
ands upon him. From that time the pos AS
,rtty OF author, sovereigns of their little VIC
Ingdofn, were released from all subsection. ae'
wing 10 40 one tribute, fealty or duty. VIC, no
ntil the last century the Inhabitants of MI MI
vetot. paid neither taxes, contributions. etc
Dr. the duty on salt. ma
This singular history has given rise to- the
r1o1s discussions and pleasing variations. gre
nring the middle ages the anr ais of the ms
ngdon Of Yvetot were not written; but ing
'puiar tradition supplies the deficit In WI,
me forgotten books we read that the ce!
'urt of the King of Yyetot consisted of a ash
eiate, four abbe's, four canons, three ma ma
likes, four counts, six barons;s "a footman 1
ctamberlai9, who became in time of ast
'ed herald alarms and ambassador, four Lhis
'ere or judges, who likewise discha rged our
C duties of municipal officers, formed the nav
mates, constituted the council of H. NJ oni
ID represented the districts of the States. att
gardener and equerry, with some other me
bordinates, upon occasions personated 0i
fesent characters. The King of Yvetot FRI
rs his own minister and keeper of the mo
ais. He had body guard of four, who ios'
led his lands and were duly at their post acc
r ceremonies and representations. The ais
az most beautiful daughters of the serfs TO! Tor
1vetot served as tiIewomen. and maids uls