The Council of Metz.
LEwis of Germany being obliged to retire in 859, the Council assembled at Metz sent Nine Pre∣lates * 1.1 to him, to exhort that Prince to beg peace of his Brother, to acknowledge and confess his Fault, oblige him to promise to live peaceably for the future, and never hereafter to cause Schism, or Division, to punish them who were the Authors of this War, to engage himself to maintain the Rights of the Churches, and procure a Reformation: That if he did these things, although his Faults deserved a long penance, they could absolve him, although they did not joyn with him. These Messengers, who had for their Leaders, Hincmarus, Arch-bishop of Rheims, and Wenilo, Arch-bishop of Rouen, finding Lewis of Germany at Worms, June the 4th. the Prince spake to them first, and being desirous to appease them, said to them, That if he had offended them, he begged their pardon. Hincmarus, who stood the first on his left-hand, answered, That he came to offer him what he desired; that, as to his own particular, he had nothing against him; that he pardon'd him what he had done; and as for the Mischief he had done his Church, he advised him, as he tender'd his own Salvation, to make it up. Guntharius, Arch-bishop of Cologne, who was also one of the Messengers, told him what satisfaction they demanded of him, and read the In∣structions to him they had given them. Lewis of Germany was displeased with them, and told them for Answer, That they came provided with full Instructions, that they might surprize him: That the Bishops of his Kingdom not being present, he could do nothing in that Affair without consulting them. So that this Embassage had not that good effect which they hoped for by it.