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THis Lovis, or Lewis, came to the Crowne, Anno Dom. 485. at the age of 15. He surmounted through his magnanimity, the glory of his predecessors: and wee must ascribe the true entry of the French into Gaule to him, according to the affirmation of
Gregory of Tours, Aymoynus, Ado, and the Modernes. For by the over∣throw by him given to Siagrius, Count of Soissons, sonne of Gilles the Roman, he reduced the County to the subjecti∣on and Lawes of the French, and so a∣bolished that small power and com∣mand which the Romans at that time had formerly, in those parts of Gaule, 537. yeares after it had beene subject∣ed to the Roman Empire by Iulius Caesar. After that he espoused Clotilda, daughter of Chilperic, one of the Kings of Burgundy, and being in the tenth yeare of his reigne, he compelled the Thuringians to receive and acknow∣ledge his Lawes. Hee obtained the day at Tolbiac against the Almaines, re∣ducing their Kingdome into a Pro∣vince and Dukedome: at his returne he became a Christian in the 15. yeare of his reigne, and altered his Coate of Armes. Neare unto Dijon hee over∣threw Gondenbault his wives uncle, and in the 25 yeare of his reigne, hee slew
with his owne hands in a battaile A∣laric King of the Visigoths, who was an Arian, and drove them out of Gaule, and by that meanes hee submitted to his Kingdome the Countrey of Ango∣lesme, Bourdelois, Perigort, Quercy, Ro∣vergue, Albi, Auvergne, and Tholouze, no∣thing remaining unconquered of Gaule, but Provence, and a part of Languedoc. Afterwards being honoured with a Patriciall dignity by the Emperour A∣nastasius, he removed himselfe to Pa∣ris, where he established the Regall seat of his Kingdome. Others affirme, that in defiance and despite of all his greatest friends and kinsemen, who at that time commanded a great part of France, siezing their Estates and Lord∣ships, prevented a disturbation of his estate like to ensue. He reigned 30. yeares, and lyes inhumed and St. Peter, and St. Paul, now called St. Genovesue, yeelding his last breath Anno Domin. 513. leaving foure Children, Childe∣bert, King of Paris, Clodomire of Orle∣ance,
Clotharius of Soyssons, Theodo∣ricke a bastard, sonne of his K. of Metts, and two daughters; besides that sonne which was slaine in the wars. The King∣dome that was in its infancy of growth was twice mangled and dismem∣bred.
In the time of this warre, there came a messenger, that brought the King ty∣dings how that one of his sonnes was dead: upon the receipt of which newes he presently tooke the Crowne from off his head, and fell into a heavy and me∣lancholly passion, insomuch, that for the time he was quite bereaved of his natu∣rall sence; which the messenger seeing, added this to his former tale, that his sonne dyed victoriously; hearing of which words, he revived, and tooke up the Crowne, and set it againe upon his Head, and so rested satisfied. When Richar Duke of Cambray, a man of bad conditions and lewd life, was by the King taken prisoner, and put to death, being betraied by the trea∣chery
of his Barons, they imagining, as Seneca saith, that Prosperum ac faelix scoelus, virtus vocatur: That fortunate Treachery, should be esteemed vertuous piety: and being not content with cer∣taine richly guilt Corcelets of Copper, which the King had formerly sent them to procure the effecting of the aforesaid Treason, they complained unto him, that they were but badly recompenced. He answered, The gift of your lives is a sufficient reward for Traytors, who deserve torments rather than prefer∣ments for betraying their Lord & Ma∣ster. Your lives which I suffer you to enjoy, is no small benefit and favour. For Kings, though they seeme to allow Treason, cannot love the Traytor. The Traitors thus upbraided with their wicked nesse, and condemned by their conscience, slunke away from his pre∣sence.