A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

629Ch. 37. Thereupon King Chlodowech said to his men: “It isa great grief to me that these Arians possess a part of Gaul. Letus go forth with God's aid, conquer them, and bring this landinto our power.” And since this speech pleased all, he marchedwith his army toward Poitiers, for there dwelt Alarich at thattime.… King Chlodowech met the king of the Goths, Alarich,in the Campus Vocladensis [Vouillé or Voulon-sur-Clain] tenmiles from Poitiers; and while the latter fought from afar, theformer withstood in hand to hand combat. But since the Goths,in their fashion, took to flight, King Chlodowech at length withGod's aid won the victory. He had on his side a son of Sigbertthe Lame, whose name was Chloderich. The same Sigbert, eversince he fought with the Alemanni near Zulpich [in 496], hadbeen wounded in the knee and limped. The king killed KingAlarich and put the Goths to flight.… From this battle Amalrich,Alarich's son, fled to Spain, and by his ability obtained his father'skingdom. Chlodowech, however, sent his son Theuderic to Albi, [575]Rhodez, and Arverne, and departing he subjugated those cities,from the borders of the Goths to the borders of the Burgundians,to the rule of his father. But Alarich reigned twenty-two years.Chlodowech spent the winter in Bourdeaux, and carried awaythe entire treasure of Alarich from Toulouse, and he went toAngoulême. Such favor did the Lord show him that, when helooked on the walls, they fell of themselves. Thereupon whenthe Goths had been driven from the city he brought it under hisrule. After the accomplishment of these victories he returned toTours and dedicated many gifts to the holy Church of St. Martin.Ch. 38. At that time he received from the Emperor Anastasiusthe title of consul, and in the Church of St. Martin he assumedthe purple cloak and put on his head a diadem. He then mounteda horse and with his own hand scattered among the people whowere present gold and silver in the greatest profusion, all the wayfrom the door of the porch of the Church of St. Martin to the citygate. And from this day forward he was addressed as consul, or