A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

638 A Source Book for Ancient Church History(e) Gregory of Tours, Hist. Franc., VIII, 22, (MSL, 71:464.)Royal interference in episcopal elections was not infrequentunder the Merovingians. Confused as the following accountis, it is clear from it that the kings were accustomed toviolate the canons and to exercise a free hand in episcopalappointments. See also the preceding selection. The date ofthe event is 585. For the Synod of Maçon, A. D. 585, seeHefele, § 286.[583]Laban, Bishop of Eauze, 231 died that year. Desiderius, a layman,succeeded him, although the king had promised with anoath that he would never again ordain a bishop from the laity.But to what will not the accursed hunger for gold drive humanhearts? Bertchramnus 232 had returned from the synod, 233 andon the way was seized with a fever. The deacon Waldo wassummoned, who in baptism had also been called Bertchramnus,and he committed to him the whole of his episcopal office, ashe also committed to him the provisions regarding his testament,as well as those who merited well by him. As he departed thebishop breathed out his spirit. The deacon returned and withpresents and the consensus 234 of the people, went to the king 235but he obtained nothing. Then the king, having issued a mandate,commanded Gundegisilus, count of Saintes, surnamed Dodo, tobe consecrated bishop; and so it was done. And because manyof the clergy of Saintes before the synod had, in agreement withBishop Bertchramnus, written various things against their Bishop231 At one time metropolis of Novempopulania; when it was destroyed in theninth century, the dignity passed to Auch, where it remained.232 Bishop of Bourdeaux.233 At Maçon.234 The formal certificate of election.235 Guntrum.