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CHilperic succeeded in the King∣dome by the favour of the me∣mory of his Father, Anno Do∣mini 459. notwithstanding that he see∣med borne fitter to lead an Army, than governe a Kingdome in Justice and peace, by reason of his insolence and
lubricity, for which the great and po∣werfull men of his Kingdome enforced him, having already reigned three yeeres, to flye into the Kingdome of Thuringia, there to expect the issue of his fortune. But before his departure, his friend Vidomare, (or as others re∣port Guiemans) gave him his word and promise, breaking a peece of Gold betweene them, the King keeping the one halfe, and he the other, advising the King that hee should boldly returne when he should receive the other halfe from him.
Hereupon the French chose in his place Gilles or Gillon Governour of So∣issons under the Romans, who reigned as King 8. yeares, in the end whereof Chilperic was re-appealed by Vidomare, who had so dexterously carried him∣selfe, that Gilles himselfe wrought his owne ruine & hatred which the French conceived against him. Chilperic here∣upon endeavouring the recovery of his Kingdome, gained a great battaile
against his Enemy Agrippina, which the French surnamed Coloyne. But in his re∣turne hee sought an ill requitall to so good a friend and Host the King Basin of Thuringia, because hee tooke away with him Basins Wife and Queene, car∣rying her with him into France, and of her begat Clovis. Trithemius the Ab∣bot saith, that the Dutchies and Coun∣ties were erected and instituted by Chil∣peric in France, who distributed them to those of his blood. But it is more apparent, that the French comming into Gaule, retained onely the generall policy which the Romans had there planted, with the nominations of the Dutchies and Counties, which denomi∣nate no more than Provinces generall or subalterne. The Bretons of Gaule Armorick under him tooke their begin∣ning Anno Domini 460. as also the Ro∣man Empire ceased in the West, Anno Dom. 477. Chilperic breathed his last in the 24. veare of his Reigne, about the yeare 484.
The first part of Chilphericks Life and Reigne was much disgraced by his vicious government, and his owne actions, oppressing his Subjects, and for his lusts satisfaction, abusing their Wives and Daughters: but afterward, being awak'd by affliction, and touch'd with the sense of his former wrongs, he changed his course of Life, and tooke pleasure onely in goodnesse, by his conversion gaining the affection of the French. Thus Affliction doth instruct not destroy a minde capable of Reason; for as Winter stormes kill not the Tree, but keepe downe the wanton sappe, which ascending in the Spring, makes it more fruitfull: so by adversity and misfortune the minde is somewhat op∣prest, but by vertue it is reviv'd, and brings forth fruite of new conversion, and being dead unto former vices, lives onely to goodnesse, as this King, who in the last part of his life conquer'd his desires, and tryumph'd in that noble Victory.