Bathild

ON ST. BATHILD, QUEEN, AND ST. RADEGUND, VIRGIN, AT CHELLES IN GAUL.

Around the year of Christ 670.

Bathild, Queen of Gaul (St.)

From various sources.

[1] The name of the glorious Queen Bathild has been recorded in the Martyrologies on several days. For on the 26th of January these have the following -- the Carthusians of Cologne and Molanus in his additions to Usuard, Bellini of Padua, a very ancient manuscript of Usuard that once belonged to Augustin Hunnaei: "In the territory of Paris, Bathild the Queen." The manuscripts of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp, St. Bathild's name in the sacred records, January 26, of St. Lambert at Liege, of St. Lawrence in the same city (which is that of Ado), and the manuscript of Centula attributed to Bede: "In the territory of Paris, at the monastery of Chelles, the deposition of Lady Bathild the Queen." Maurolycus: "Near Paris, Batild the Queen, who was the mother of Emperor Lothair, a foundress of monasteries." But he errs; she was not the mother of the Emperor Lothair, who lived nearly 200 years later, but of Clothar III the King. The same is in Felicius, who adds that those monasteries were built at Paris, which cannot be said of all, as will be evident below. Peter Galesinius: "In the confines of Paris, St. Bathild the Queen, who, being the mother of King Lothair, illustrious for the praise of the things she did divinely and piously in the pontificate of Vitalian, rested in the Lord." The manuscript Florarium: "In the territory of Paris, at the monastery of Chelles, the deposition of Lady Bathild the Queen. She, closely related to the Carolingian stock, was the wife of Clovis, the second of that name, King of the Franks. She flourished in the year of salvation 662." The Roman Martyrology: "In the territory of Paris, Bathild the Queen, illustrious for her holiness and the glory of her miracles." Arnold Wion and Benedict Dorganius add: "at whose death a beautiful light of divine splendor appeared, and a chorus of Angels was seen by the bystanders coming to meet her, by whom her soul was carried to heaven on the wings and in the hands of those Angels." Menard relates the same, somewhat more briefly. Saussay treats of her at length on the same day.

[2] But on the 27th of January, Wandelbert recorded the feast of St. Bathild with these words: the 27th and 30th of the same month.

"The Punic land venerates its own Avitus on the sixth day. Sulpicius, Bathild, and Aldegund also flourish."

Most copies of Usuard, however, including the Parisian one of the monastery of St. Germain where she lived, have the 30th of January: "In the territory of Paris, Baltild the Queen." A manuscript of the Church of St. Gudula at Brussels: "In the territory of Paris, the falling-asleep of St. Bathild, Queen of the Franks, who built the monastery of Corbie." The Carthusians of Cologne in their additions to Usuard: "Batild, Queen of France, who after the death of her husband Clovis, having entered a monastery, casting herself down in great humility, strove to be conformed to Christ. She is also placed above on January 26, but is better placed here." Canisius also records her on both days, and here celebrates her with this eulogy: "Likewise St. Bathild, Queen of France, mother of the Emperor Lothair, who, born of noble Saxon blood, was the wife of King Clovis; she gave great alms to Churches and the poor; she abolished unjust taxes, to the great benefit of the Frankish nation; she founded two monasteries, into one of which, after her husband's death, she entered and exercised herself in all humility, to the extent that she most readily served even the Sisters; at last, bathed in heavenly light, she rendered her spirit to God." Peter de Natalibus, book 3, ch. 59, also reports that she died on the same day, and he too calls her the mother of the Emperor Lothair and narrates other things that we shall presently refute.

Section II. Acts. Homeland. Name.

[3] We give two Lives of St. Bathild, both written by a contemporary author. Life by a contemporary writer, The first we have copied from an old codex of St. Mary de Ripatorio, which we obtained through the generosity of our Peter Francis Chifflet; the second had been published by Surius from a manuscript of Rougemont, and we have collated it with a manuscript of the Corsendoncano monastery of Canons Regular. The first is composed in a rough and unpolished style. Its writer indicates his own time in no. 3, writing: "with his (Bathild's) royal progeny now reigning." And in no. 7, where "the venerable Lord Theudofredus, now Bishop, but then Abbot," etc. The second is drawn from the first, another, more copious, also by a contemporary, but expanded; often retaining the same phraseology, but polished somewhat more carefully; often with not a few additions. Nor is there any reason to suspect that Anthony Gentius or John Gilmann dressed up the first into this form. It is indeed possible to observe some traces of them here and there, but very many details betray an ancient author; for besides the references to the Saint's progeny then reigning, and to Theudofredus as Bishop, in no. 23 he says: "We must return to our holy mother the Lady Bathild, who shone forth in our times, and to her glorious merits, which we ourselves know and have seen performed by her." He seems to have wished deliberately to correct what the first had written in a rougher style, not to fashion an entirely new life.

[4] The deeds of Bathild, piously and holily performed, have been described from Surius by Francis Haraeus and Zacharias Lippeloo; in Italian by Silvanus Razzi; in French by Jacques Doublet. John Trithemius also treats of her in book 3 on the illustrious men of the Order of St. Benedict, ch. 112, where, however, the monastery of "Valense" is erroneously written for Calense. The same life has been published in French (at the end of a volume of lives of Saints collected by Pierre Vieil and other learned men), richer indeed, An apocryphal French Life, but stuffed with many fables -- as when it is said that St. Bathild was the daughter of Floridus, King of Cologne, but was kidnapped by Saracens while walking outside the city, carried off to Syria, and redeemed by Erchinoald; as when it is narrated that her husband Clovis undertook an expedition to the Holy Land; full of fictitious narratives, that the sons meanwhile rebelled against their mother and then their father, and were therefore mutilated, and finally professed the monastic life at the monastery of Jumieges. All of which are of such a character that they do not even deserve to be refuted, since there is no one even slightly versed in French history who would not understand that they were most foolishly fabricated by some idle person. Certainly Cologne had no king at that time except the Austrasian, who was then either Dagobert or Sigebert, when the most holy Bishop Cunibert presided over that city; nor did the Saracens, who first crept out of their Arabian desert around the year 632, have such force or power as to sail across the Mediterranean and a great part of the Ocean to invade Cologne by ascending the Rhine and carry captives from there; nor did Clovis II have the magnanimity or religious zeal to march against those same Saracens who were then ravaging the Holy Land; nor are any other sons of St. Bathild anywhere recorded except Clothar III, Hilderic, and Theodoric, who were still very young when their father died. The same fable about Clovis's Asian expedition and the sons' rebellion and punishment is dismissed by Scipio Dupleix, Bernard Girard, and other writers of French history.

[5] But concerning Bathild's servitude, Peter de Natalibus, book 3, ch. 59, has handed down the same, as he is usually somewhat inaccurate: "This woman, going out from the city one day, Her fanciful kidnapping: while she was walking along the seashore, was seized by Saracens from across the sea and carried to the regions of Syria; and after some time was redeemed at a price by Erchinoald, Governor of the imperial palace, and by the same brought back to France." And after a few words: "When a sedition arose among the Frankish Kings and King Clovis was killed because of the sedition, she assumed the religious habit in the monastery of Chelles." This about Clovis's killing is equally futilely fabricated as the things about the kidnapping and the flight into the desert. John Basilius Sanctorus, otherwise a diligent writer, recklessly followed Peter. Nor does Saussay relate more probable things about Bathild's origin and arrival in Gaul: "In the Parisian territory," he says, "at the monastery of Chelles, the passing of St. Bathild the Queen and nun consecrated to God. Her lineage wrongly derived from the Counts of Ascania. She was the daughter of Beringer, the first Prince of Hercinya and Ascania, a virgin of exceedingly distinguished beauty, captured by Clovis, King of the Franks, and brought to Gaul, and instructed in the doctrines of the Christian faith; and since she was most richly endowed with the gifts of both mind and body, she won such favor with the King himself that, taken as his wife, she was made the sharer of his throne and bed." But what wars against the Germans did Clovis wage? Did he perhaps bring aid to his brother St. Sigebert, King of Austrasia, who was warring against the Thuringians? And how can Bathild be said to have been brought from across the sea if she came only from the interior of Germany? How, if captured by the King, did she then serve Erchinoald and was not rather raised most honorably in the household of Queen Nanthild, since her illustrious birth would not have been unknown? Saussay seems to have received the report about Bathild's homeland and her father Beringer from the genealogical books of Hieronymus Henninges; but he should not have believed him without other authority, since he everywhere mixes fables with truths. The brothers Sainte-Marthe make her a daughter of the King of Saxony, called Sigar by some.

[6] Our Stephen Binet wrote a life of St. Bathild in French, seasoned with equal elegance of speech and examples of piety, Another distinguished French life, and dedicated it to Marie de Lorraine, Abbess of Chelles, in the year 1624. In it he was not sufficiently certain about Bathild's birth to make a definitive pronouncement. "History reports," he says, "that it is almost unknown how she came to Gaul; it is thought that, born in Saxony (called transmarine), when she had committed herself to the sea, she was driven from her course by a violent storm and fell into the hands of pirates, by whom she was sold as a slave to the Franks." The author of the first Life says only that she came "summoned by divine providence from transmarine parts and sold at a low price." The second Life says that she came "in her girlhood, carried off by divine providence from transmarine parts True origin from the Saxon race, and sold at a low price, but at an incomparable exchange." And a little later: "For she was shown by her illustrious blood, though she served in the duties of another nation, to have been born of the Saxons." Her origins are sought in vain among the Saxons, a Germanic people, then inhabiting England, then barbarous and alien to our religion and human culture. The island of Britain was held by the Angles and Saxons, peoples of Germanic origin, who had divided it into seven kingdoms, among which were the West Saxons, South Saxons, and East Saxons; although the entire nation was sometimes called Saxons, at other times Anglo-Saxons. Moreover, that it was customary for the children of the Angles and Saxons to be transported for sale to foreign provinces is well known from the life of St. Gregory the Great and other historians. From there also Bathild came and, whether seized by raiders or sold by friends or enemies, arrived in Gaul under the auspices of heaven. Whence she has been rightly inscribed in the English Martyrology for this day, although the author of that Martyrology writes somewhat improperly that she was given in marriage to Clovis, as though her parents or friends had bestowed her.

[7] So much for Bathild's homeland. Her name also is not rendered in the same way by all. Name and its meaning. Baldechildis, or Baltechildis, or Baltichildis, she is called by most of the ancients; by others, Bathildis, Baltidis, Batildis, Bathilda, Betildis, Baldetildis, Balthildis, Blitildis -- which was the name of her daughter-in-law. In French she is called Bathilde, Bautour, Baudour, Baudeur. Hieronymus Henninges says: "She was called by posterity St. Bauduria (otherwise Varburgis)." But who named her Varburgis, and who wrote Bauduria in Latin? Baldehildis, or Balthildis, means "bold heroine"; Bathildis means "useful heroine"; Blethildis means "joyful heroine."

Section III. Benefits bestowed upon various monasteries.

[8] It is fitting to bring forward from the histories of other Saints some additional testimonies to Bathild's outstanding virtues, which are either omitted or briefly touched upon by both writers of her Life, even though not everything that she performed nobly has been committed to writing. In the Deeds of the Kings of the Franks, found in du Chesne, vol. 1, these words appear: St. Bathild, beautiful and clever, "The Franks set over themselves Clovis, her son, as King. He took a wife from the Saxon race, named Bathild, very beautiful and exceedingly clever in all abilities." And a little later: "For from his Queen Bathild he had three sons: Clothar, Hilderic, and Theuderic. As the aforesaid King Clovis was declining to his end -- she rules Gaul with her son: having reigned sixteen years -- the Franks set over themselves the elder boy Clothar as King, to reign with the Queen his mother." Aimoin has the same in book 4, chs. 42 and 43.

[9] St. Leodegar endured an illustrious martyrdom for the freedom of the Church -- a martyrdom occasioned by his most prudent administration of the Palatine dignities. Gratitude is owed to St. Bathild, who summoned him to the court and thereafter promoted him to the episcopate. Ursinus is witness in his Life: "When the Father of the monastery built in honor of St. Maxentius had died, by the command of the same Bishop (Dido of Poitiers), he undertook to govern it. Governing this for about six years, he enriched it both with buildings and with great resources. Meanwhile he was both excellently approved by his Bishop and held in the highest esteem among all; she summons St. Leodegar to the court, and such was the fragrance of his name that it spread to every region and penetrated even into the King's palace. At that time the young Clothar, with his mother Baldechild, held the reins of the Frankish kingdom. When they had heard of his prudence by report and desired to have him with them in the palace, they asked the Bishop to grant him leave to remain in the palace with them. The Bishop immediately complied with the orders and sent him, equipped with great accomplishments and adorned with the flowers of wisdom, to them; and they received him most honorably. Within a few days, by his virtue and integrity and the affability of his speech, he achieved such a result that the King and Queen and most of the Bishops held him especially dear; and by the consensus of all, especially the Franks, he was proclaimed worthy of the episcopal office. Elected therefore by all, she promotes him to the episcopate, they arranged for him to be ordained Bishop at Autun, the city of the Aedui." This office he discharged vigorously for ten years, and then Clothar the King, who had promoted him, departed this life. The same is narrated more briefly in another life of the same holy bishop by an anonymous writer: By divine counsel: "Then Queen Balthild, who with her son Clothar governed the Frankish palace, inspired, as we believe, by divine counsel, sent this man to the aforementioned city to be Bishop there, so that the Church, which for nearly two years had remained as though widowed amid the waves of the world, might be held by his governance and strength, and defended from those by whom it was being assailed."

[10] The author of the Life commemorates many things donated by her to the monastery of Jumieges; she also gave Jumieges itself. Thus the Life of St. Philibert, August 20: "But since divine power wished the light of that man to be placed upon a candlestick, so that the lamp of his holiness, with its far-radiating ray of splendor, might shine far and wide, he put it into the heart of the holy man she gives Jumieges to St. Philibert: to build a monastery from his own labor. Then, obtaining from the King of the Franks, named Clovis, and from his Queen named Baldechild, by humble petition, a place in the district of Rouen which ancient usage had been accustomed to call by the old name of Jumieges, he was seen to have built a noble monastery there."

[11] To the holy Frodobertus also, the Germanic Island in the suburb of the city of Troyes, donated by Clovis, she brought about that it should be confirmed by royal authority, as was said in ch. 3 of the Life of St. Frodobertus, no. 11, on January 8: "Wherefore, inspired by divine counsel, having gone to the royal court, she confirms the donation of the property to St. Frodobertus, he obtained by the munificence of the illustrious Clovis, formerly King of the Franks, a certain marshy place in the suburb of the city of Troyes, which by ancient custom was called the Germanic Island. Afterwards, however, after the death of Clovis, petitioning his son Clothar in the second year of his reign, with the consent of the venerable Queen Bathild, mother of the same Clothar, he again merited to obtain a privilege of royal authority over the aforesaid place."

[12] Concerning the construction of the monastery of Chelles, these things are reported in volume 1 of the Frankish writers by André du Chesne, from the manuscript Life of St. Bertila: "In those times, after the departure of the Lord King Clovis, his devout and excellent wife, the Lady Queen Baltechildis, with her young son King Clothar, governed the kingdom of the Franks irreproachably, and was loved with a wonderful affection by all the Bishops and Nobles and the entire people of her kingdom, her merits so requiring. For she was devout she builds the monastery of Chelles: and greatly devoted to the Lord, caring for Churches and the poor. With great vigor of soul she governed the palace manfully. With the Bishops and the chief men of her people she took counsel to build a monastery of nuns at the royal estate called Chelles, with the approval of the Nobles: so that when her aforesaid son, the Lord Clothar, had reached his legitimate age and was able to govern the kingdom entrusted to him by himself, she might then, having left the royal government, enter under the rule of the religious order into the above-mentioned monastery. Because she loved all with a wonderful affection and was loved by all, the plan was pleasing to everyone, and all gave their consent. And she, being prudent and wise, with all speed commanded a monastery to be built there, and, foreseeing the future, assigned the necessary endowment for the handmaids of God."

[5] Concerning the servitude of Bathilde, Peter de Natalibus, book 3, chapter 59, has transmitted the same account, being, as he usually is, not very exact: "On a certain day," he says, "she went out of the city, her fabulous abduction, and while she was walking along the seashore, she was seized by overseas Saracens, carried off to the regions of Syria, and after some time was ransomed for a price by Erchinoald, Governor of the imperial palace, and brought back by him to Gaul." And shortly after: "When sedition arose among the Kings of the Franks and King Clovis was killed on account of the sedition, she herself assumed the religious habit at the monastery of Chelles." This about the slaying of Clovis is equally futilely invented as the story of the abduction and the flight into the wilderness. John Basilius Sanctorius, otherwise a careful writer, rashly followed Peter. Nor does Saussay transmit anything more probable about the origin and arrival of Bathilde in Gaul: "In the territory of Paris," he says, "at the monastery of Chelles, the passing of St. Bathilde, Queen and nun consecrated to God. Her lineage wrongly traced to the Princes of Ascania. She, the daughter of Berengar the First, Prince of Hercynia and Ascania, a maiden of very distinguished beauty, was captured by Clovis, King of the Franks, and carried off to Gaul, and being instructed in the teachings of the Christian faith, since she was most richly endowed with the gifts of mind as well as body, she obtained such favor with the King that she was taken as wife and made his consort of the throne and the marriage bed." But what wars against the Germans did Clovis wage? Did he perhaps assist his brother St. Sigebert, King of Austrasia, in waging war against the Thuringians? And on what grounds is Bathilde said to have been brought from overseas regions, if only from the heart of Germany? How, if captured by the King, did she then serve Erchinoald, and was she not rather most honorably educated in the household of Queen Nanthilde, since her illustrious lineage was not unknown? Saussay seems to have received this account of St. Bathilde's homeland and her father Berengar from the Genealogy books of Jerome Henninges; but he ought not to have believed him without other authority, since Henninges everywhere intermingles fables with facts. The brothers Sainte-Marthe make her the daughter of the King of Saxony, called Sigar by some.

[6] Our Stephen Binet wrote a life of St. Bathilde in French, composed with equal elegance of speech and examples of piety, Another notable French life, and dedicated it in 1624 to Marie de Lorraine, Abbess of Chelles. In it he did not have anything sufficiently certain to pronounce about Bathilde's origin. "History reports," he says, "that it is almost unknown by what means she came to Gaul; it is believed that she was born in Saxony, called 'overseas,' and that having committed herself to the sea, she was driven from her course by a violent storm and fell into the hands of pirates, by whom she was sold like a slave to the Franks." The author of the earlier Life says only that she "came, summoned by divine providence from overseas regions and sold for a small price." The later Life says that "in her girlish age she was carried off by divine providence from overseas regions her true origin from the Saxon people and sold for a small price but by an incomparable exchange." And shortly after: "For she was shown by her noble blood to be descended from the Saxons, although she served the duties of another nation." In vain are her origins sought among the Saxons, the peoples of Germany, who were then barbarians and alien to our religion and civilized culture. Which held Britain. The Angles and Saxons, peoples of Germanic origin, held the island of Britain, having divided it into seven kingdoms, among which were the West Saxons, South Saxons, and East Saxons -- although the entire people was sometimes called Saxons, at other times Anglo-Saxons. Moreover, that the children of the Angles and Saxons were customarily carried off for sale to foreign provinces is established from the life of St. Gregory the Great and other historians. From there too Bathilde was born, and whether seized by raiders, or sold by friends, or by enemies, she arrived in Gaul under the auspices of heaven. Wherefore she has been deservedly inscribed in the English Martyrology on this day, even though the author of that Martyrology writes somewhat improperly that she was "given in marriage to Clovis," as though her parents or friends had bestowed her.

[7] So much for Bathilde's homeland. Her name too is not given in the same way by all. Name and its meaning. By most of the ancients she is called Baldechildis, or Baltechildis, or Baltichildis; by others Bathildis, Baltidis, Batildis, Bathilda, Betildis, Baldetildis, Balthildis, Blitildis (which was the name of her daughter-in-law). In French she is called Bathilde, Bautour, Baudour, Baudeur. Jerome Henninges says: "She was called by posterity St. Bauduria (otherwise Varburgis)." But who called her Varburgis, who wrote Bauduria in Latin? Now Baldehildis, or Balthildis, means "bold heroine"; Bathildis, "useful heroine"; Blethildis, "joyful heroine."

Section III. Benefits conferred on various monasteries.

[8] It is worthwhile to bring forward from the histories of other Saints also some monuments of Bathilde's outstanding virtues, which were either omitted or briefly touched upon by the writers of both Lives, even though not all things that were nobly done by her have been committed to writing. In the Deeds of the Kings of the Franks, in du Chesne, volume 1, the following is found: St. Bathilde, beautiful and talented, "The Franks set up Clovis, her son, as King over them. And he took a wife from the Saxon race, named Bathilde, very beautiful and vigorous in every talent." And shortly after: "For by his Queen Bathilde he had three sons -- Clothar, Hilderic, and Theuderic. When the aforesaid King Clovis was descending to his last days, she governs Gaul with her son, having reigned sixteen years, the Franks set up Clothar, the eldest child of the three, as their King, to rule with the Queen his mother." Aimoinus says the same, book 4, chapters 42 and 43.

[9] St. Leodegar underwent an illustrious martyrdom for the freedom of the Church -- an occasion arising from his most prudent administration of the palatine dignities. The credit, however, belongs to St. Bathilde, who summoned him to the court and afterward raised him to the episcopate. Ursinus is the witness in his Life: "When the Father of the monastery founded in honor of St. Maxentius had died, at the command of the same Bishop (Dido of Poitiers) he undertook its governance. Governing it for nearly six years, he enriched it with buildings and great wealth. Meanwhile he was also eminently approved by his Bishop and held in the highest distinction above all; She summons St. Leodegar to court, and so great a fragrance of his name spread in all directions that it penetrated even into the King's palace. At that time the young King Clothar, with his mother Bathilde, was directing the governance of the kingdom of the Franks. When they had heard by report of his prudence and desired to have him with them in the palace, they asked the Bishop to grant him the opportunity to remain with them in the palace. The Bishop immediately complied with their wishes and sent him to them, furnished with great accomplishments and crowned with the flowers of wisdom; they received him with due honor. Within a few days, by his virtue, integrity, and agreeableness of speech, he so won them over that the King and Queen and most of the Bishops held him especially dear; and by the consent of all, especially of the Franks, he was proclaimed worthy of the office of Bishop. Accordingly, elected by all, she raises him to the episcopate, they arranged for him to be ordained Bishop at Autun, which is the city of the Aedui. When he had discharged this office vigorously for ten years, King Clothar, who had promoted him, departed this life." This is narrated more briefly in the other life of the same holy bishop by an anonymous writer: by divine counsel, "Then Queen Balthilde, who was governing the palace of the Franks with her son Clothar, inspired, as we believe, by divine counsel, directed this man to the aforementioned city to be its Bishop, so that the Church, which for nearly two years had remained as if widowed amid the waves of the world, might be upheld and defended by his governance and strength from those by whom it was assailed."

[10] The author of the Life records many donations made by her to the monastery of Jumieges; she also donated Jumieges itself. Thus the Life of St. Philibert, August 20: "But when the divine power wished his light to be set upon a candlestick, so that the lamp of his holiness might shine far and wide with a blazing ray, he placed it in the heart of the most holy man she bestows Jumieges on St. Philibert, that he should build a monastery from his own labor. Then, obtaining from the King of the Franks named Clovis and his Queen called Bathilde, by humble petition, a place in the district of Rouen which antiquity had been accustomed to call by the old name Jumieges, he was seen to have built there a noble monastery."

[11] She also brought it about that the Island of Germanica in the suburb of the city of Troyes, donated to St. Frodobert by Clovis, was confirmed by royal authority, as was said in chapter 3 of the Life of St. Frodobert, number 11, on January 8: "Wherefore, with divine counsel inspiring him, he went to the royal court, she confirms the donation of land to St. Frodobert, and by the munificence of Clovis, the illustrious former King of the Franks, obtained a certain marshy place in the suburb of the city of Troyes, which by an ancient name was called the Island of Germanica. After the death of Clovis, however, approaching his son Clothar in the second year of his reign, with the approval of the venerable Queen Bathilde, mother of the same Clothar, he again obtained a privilege of royal authority over the aforesaid place."

[12] Concerning the construction of the monastery of Chelles, Andre du Chesne transmits the following in volume 1 of Frankish writers, from the manuscript Life of St. Bertilla: "For in those times, after the departure of the Lord King Clovis, his devout and excellent wife, the Lady Queen Baltechildis, was governing the kingdom of the Franks irreproachably with her young son King Clothar, and by all the Bishops, the nobles, and the entire people of her kingdom she was loved with wonderful affection, her merits compelling it. For she was devout she builds the monastery of Chelles, and greatly devoted to the Lord, bearing care for the Churches and the poor. With great vigor of spirit, therefore, she governed the palace manfully. With the Bishops and the chief men of her people she took counsel to build a monastery for maidens at the royal estate called Chelles, so that when her aforesaid son, the Lord Clothar, should reach his lawful age and be able to govern the kingdom entrusted to him by himself, she might then, relinquishing the royal care, enter the aforesaid monastery under the rule of religion. With the approval of the nobles. Because she loved all with wonderful affection and was loved by all, the plan pleased everyone, and all gave their consent. And she, prudent and wise as she was, commanded the monastery to be built there with all speed, and foreseeing the future, assigned the necessary resources to the handmaids of God."

[13] And now, with the monastery diligently prepared, she began to turn over in her mind whom she might find worthy in merits and honorableness or character among the maidens, to whom, with confidence, she might entrust the flock of consecrated Virgins there assembled under the rule of holy religion. And while she heard many things about many, the happy fame of that holy maiden Bertilla spreading far and wide, She obtains St. Bertilla from Blessed Teutlehilde, the report reached through the accounts of the faithful even to the royal ears of the Lady Baltechildis, glorious and most Christian Queen. She rejoiced at the example of her holiness and immediately, having taken counsel, decreed that she should appoint her as Mother over the holy women whom she had gathered in the above-named monastery for the love of Christ and the reverence of St. Mary, and with the Lord's dispensation she afterward accomplished this. With great devotion and humility indeed she asked the Lady Teutlehilde, the Abbess, to send to her from her monastery some handmaids of God who should govern her own monastery. She, after long deliberation, could not deny the holy supplication of the Queen, but willingly satisfied the petition of the glorious Lady, and commanded the aforesaid Lady Bertilla, together with certain holy maidens, to be conducted to the above-said holy monastery of Chelles for the spiritual Mother Lady Baltechildis, with the utmost care and due honor, as was fitting, through the great Priest the Lord Genesius. And she suggested in person to the aforesaid Lady Queen that the entire congregation should be entrusted to her as to a spiritual mother, and places her in charge, confident of her religious life and chaste conduct. The glorious Queen Baltechildis received them like a heavenly gift with great honor, and as had been entrusted to her by the Lady Teutlehilde, she imposed upon her the burden of governance over the entire monastery and commanded her to be Abbess.

[14] Meanwhile the glorious handmaid of God, Queen Baltechildis, although she was constrained by the care of the principality to the service and governance of the state of affairs, and labored as under a heavy burden, yet the love of Christ and devotion to religion possessed her mind. And now, when the Lord Clothar her son had reached manhood, under her she herself becomes a nun, with the consent of her nobles, having relinquished the care of the royal palace, she placed herself, intending to serve Christ the Lord in the monastery which she herself had built, under the obedience of the above-mentioned Lady Bertilla the Abbess. Being received therefore with great veneration, as was worthy and fitting, by her and by the entire congregation of maidens, she resolved to remain in the holy religious life until her last day. Together, by common counsel, they wonderfully adorned that monastery both in buildings and offices and in the example of holiness. And with some things intervening: "But after the Lady Queen Baltechildis had fulfilled her devotion in all things, she departed in peace to Christ, and her body was honorably buried there." Sigebert in his Chronicle, at the year 662, mentions Corbie and Chelles as founded by Bathilde.

[15] Still more illustrious are the things recorded about the same most holy Queen in the Life of St. Wandregisilus on July 22: "After King Clovis departed this life, she bestows much on St. Wandregisilus, Queen Bathilde remained with three sons -- Clothar, Hilderic, and Theodoric. Of these, Clothar, who was the eldest, attained the summit of the kingdom and ruled the people of the western Franks for fourteen years; and what his father had begun, he devoutly strove to enlarge the aforesaid place with pious donations and the privileges of his authority. He also most devoutly extended the boundaries of that place, as was the will of the venerable Father Wandregisilus." That Clothar III is said to have administered the kingdom for fourteen years pertains to the same point as what is found at the end of the same Life: "The venerable and most blessed Father and Priest of the Lord, Wandregisilus, to be named with all honor, rested in the year from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 665, in the eighth indiction, in the ninth year of the pontificate of Pope Vitalian of the Roman Church, and in the eleventh year of the reign of Clothar the Third."

[16] In the same Life also these things are narrated: "For when the man of God was dwelling with his companions in the aforesaid monastery and there were no provisions for food, the Cellarer Balfrid disclosed this to him. To whom he said: 'The creator of all things can prepare a table for his servants in the wilderness, by divine admonition she sends provisions to his monks, who by the multiplication of five loaves fed five thousand men.' And so, according to the promise of the man of God, it came to pass. For divine goodness admonished Queen Bathilde in a vision to minister necessities to the servant of Christ dwelling in the vastness of the wilderness. She, waking, directed laden wagons to the servant of God. And he gave thanks to the giver of all good things, who by his accustomed help was always present as a consoler to his servants. And so, having received the blessing, those who had brought these provisions returned by the road they had come." "In those days, that is, in the seventh year of King Clothar the Third, which was the fifteenth year of the aforesaid Father's governance, the same man of the Lord approached the same King and received a privilege of royal confirmation over the area of the aforesaid monastery by a most generous grant. It was celebrated in the territory of Castres, in the palace which is called by the diminutive name Palatiolum."

[17] And shortly after: "We do not doubt that the spirit of prophecy was also divinely bestowed upon him, so that he made known to many what was to come. It is well known that he frequently predicted future things, which are subsequently agreed to have been fulfilled. For to the widowed Queen Bathilde of King Clovis, he intimated the deaths and successions of her three princely sons. Of these, Clothar, she learns from him what would befall her sons, who was the eldest and was in the fourteenth year of his reign, was suddenly taken from human company. Then Hildebert, rashly slain by conspirators, was removed from the present life. The third also, Theodoric, surviving his mother, took up the governance of the kingdom. And so it is manifest that things came to pass according to the prophecy of the man of God."

Section IV. The prophecy of St. Eligius about her and her sons. His funeral attended by her. Splendid garments renounced.

[18] Remarkable are the things pertaining to St. Bathilde which St. Audoenus records in the Life of St. Eligius, Bishop of Tournai and Noyon: "There are also many other things," he says, "which he often predicted in familiar conversation by way of prophecy -- as concerning the death of a certain King Garibertus, which, just as he foretold it, so it came to pass shortly after; and concerning the death of the illustrious Prince Dagobert; and also concerning the birth of Clothar the Younger. For when he was still in the womb and the Queen was greatly alarmed on that account, fearing lest she should give birth to a girl, St. Eligius foretells to St. Bathilde that a son will be born to her, and the kingdom should thereby decline, Eligius came to her and cheerfully comforted her, and calling the mother-to-be by name in the presence of all, he foretold that her child would be a male, and predicted that the boy would be his godson through the mystery of regeneration. He even gave the child a name while still in the womb; and to confirm these things more surely, he asked that a certain piece of handiwork be made which could be fitted to the little one, and ordered it to be kept for his use until he should be born. All these things, just as he predicted, the outcome of events at last proved. For the Queen gave birth to a son, and Eligius was his godfather, and he was called by the name Clothar, which he had long before bestowed."

[19] "After him God also multiplied her offspring, and she bore two more sons. But when three children had now been begotten and the King and Queen were living peaceably and contentedly, Eligius gave the following account from those days: in a vision he perceives what would befall her and her sons. 'I was looking,' he said, 'in a night vision, and I saw the sun, hastening around the third hour of the day and shining brightly, suddenly nowhere to be seen. And while I was still intently observing this strange portent, I beheld immediately -- and behold -- the moon, as it were, having risen to half, surrounded on all sides by three stars, seemed to hold the same course by which the sun, revolving, daily turns. And so, while I awaited this portent in astonishment, presently, while the observer was marveling, with the stars remaining, the moon was suddenly removed. After this, as I more earnestly observed those three stars approaching nearly to the noon hour, and in turn reflecting their rays upon one another, the one that seemed more distinguished was suddenly taken away and left only two in the open. Then, while those two seemed to travel together, one of them, faster than a word, was obscured and withdrawn, and only one remained in plain sight; which, alone, imitating the course of the sun in a straight path, at length shone with a great splendor; and the more it declined toward the West, the more abundantly its brightness spread far and wide. But when it reached the furthest point of setting, it poured forth such brightness of its lamps that it seemed to surpass the very brightness of the sun.'

[20] "'This, then, is the order of the vision: After the death of King Clovis -- for without doubt he will die soon -- his widowed Queen with three children will hold this kingdom of the Franks for some time. And he foretells these things. After she herself has been removed from the kingdom, with three sons left in the kingdom, one of them will at length fall; and after this, with no long interval, of the remaining two one will also be deprived of the kingdom; but the third, obtaining the monarchy alone, will be extended over all his kinsmen and will be magnified, and will hold under his dominion these three kingdoms; and thus this vision will be consummated.' So far Eligius. But we ought by no means to doubt that his words will achieve their effect, especially since we see these things already in some part fulfilled; and the rest, which have not yet been fulfilled, we do not doubt will be fulfilled very shortly, from our consideration of what has preceded. For according to his pronouncement, King Clovis died within a short time -- And these things came to pass. that is, thirty days ahead of the predicted time -- in peace; and his widowed Queen, holding the kingdom with her children for a few years, was afterward removed from royal authority and left her sons in the principate. And not many years later, the eldest of them, who seemed to hold the chief authority, died while reigning quietly and peacefully, and left two surviving brothers. What will become of them it is fitting to be determined by the judgment of God alone. These things, therefore, and many others similar to them, which it would be tedious to pursue, Eligius, frequently inspired by the grace of prophecy, foretold." From these it is clearly evident -- what is also transmitted by others -- that St. Bathilde withdrew to the monastery of Chelles during the lifetime of Clothar, from which one may refute what Binet writes: that she sought permission to withdraw only after the death of two of her sons, when Theodoric was already reigning, and did not immediately obtain it. If she had governed the state also with Theodoric and Hilderic, she would either have prevented the outrages that were committed, or she herself would have been overwhelmed by the turmoil of events.

[21] Finally, having narrated the death of the same holy Bishop Eligius, St. Audoenus adds the following concerning the piety of Bathilde toward him: "When morning came, an immense multitude of both sexes assembled in the town. St. Bathilde wishes to transfer the body of St. Eligius to Chelles; Queen Bathilde was also present with her sons and nobles and a large retinue; she quickly entered the town and, running swiftly to the bier, broke out in a great cry of weeping, lamenting and wailing that she had not found him still alive. And as she leaned upon the bier for the longest time, redoubling her lamentations, she meanwhile asked that preparations be made for how she might transfer the body of the blessed man to her monastery of Chelles. But when she tried to lift him and could not manage to move him from the spot, she was made very sad and ordered the Church to celebrate a three-day fast with silence. It becomes immovable. While this was being done, she herself too, with her nobles and the clergy persisting eagerly together, vigils were kept unceasingly throughout those three days."

[22] "While these things, then, were being done, the venerable Queen herself, mourning with most intolerable grief, as she weepingly kisses it, could in no way restrain herself from weeping. At length, when from excessive sorrow she could not bear the absence of the holy man, in order to satisfy her desire, she threw herself upon his uncovered face in a mournful kiss, and began to press her lips to his hands and breast, and to pour abundant showers of tears upon his cheeks; and behold, suddenly, while kissing and touching the sacred body, a miracle not to be passed over in silence at once occurred. For since it was winter time and the body, long dead, lay entirely cold, a stream of blood, flowing by chance from the nostrils of the dead man, began to bathe the cheeks of the Saint abundantly. Copious blood flows from it. When the Bishops and the most Christian Queen saw this, they immediately placed linens here and there beneath, and with the utmost care, as long as it flowed of its own accord, they collected the blood and set it apart as a great gift to be preserved among the relics."

[23] "Meanwhile, as was said, when the fast was completed, the Queen was striving by all means to transfer the body of the holy man by any method to her monastery of Chelles. On the other side, another party was attempting to carry him to the city of Paris; but the citizens of Noyon resisted both, claiming the limbs of their Bishop as a most just inheritance. In this way, therefore, a dispute had arisen among them, contending with one another in pious devotion for the holy prize, as to who more justly deserved to possess his relics and burial. But when the Bishops and the more distinguished persons present favored the Queen's side and decreed that he should be carried to her monastery, after a three-day fast it still remains immovable, a great outcry and tumult arose from the entire populace of Noyon. Then the Queen, using prudent counsel and committing the case to the judgment of almighty God, said: 'Let the ambiguities of words now be set aside; and if it is the Lord's will or the will of this Saint that he go where I desire, let him now be lifted without any further delay; if not, we shall presently prove it.' After these words, when they approached the bier and tried to lift him, they felt it pressed down by so great a weight that they could not even move him from the spot. Then others and still others succeeded each other in turn, but nowhere could they prevail. Last of all, the Queen herself approached, and wishing to try for herself, with bared and sleeves-rolled arms, she began to push to see whether she could move even one corner of the bier. And though she strove with all her might and earnestly struggled, as though pushing an immense mountain, she could accomplish nothing at all."

[24] "Then, turning to the nobles, she said: 'Behold, we now clearly know that it is not his will she grants him to the people of Noyon, and the body is easily moved that we carry him elsewhere. Let us therefore yield to this people, even unwillingly, what until now we have not wished to grant willingly.' The counsel pleased all, and with one voice they all decreed to bury him in the same town. And so, after this decision, when they again tried to lift the bier, it was at once so lightened and raised up with such speed that it was now easily carried by two, who an hour before could not be moved even by many. Seeing which miracle, all the citizens together with the Queen glorified the greatness of the Lord, saying: 'Great and wonderful are your works, O Lord God of hosts, and wonderful are you, O God, in your Saints.' Bathilde follows the funeral procession. Then, when the body was being carried to the sepulcher, nearly the entire city rushed to attend the funeral with mourning. For the devout Queen, although there was an immense marsh in wintertime, could by no means be persuaded to use a horse-drawn vehicle; but on foot, with great and heavy labor, following the bier through the marsh, she joined her continuous lamentations with her entire household."

[25] "I have also thought it right to append the following: that very recently after his death the blessed man appeared in a vision of the night to a certain person living in the King's court. St. Eligius, through one who was thrice admonished in a vision, Standing beside him in a resplendent garment, he commanded that without any hesitation he should go to Queen Bathilde and admonish her that she should not be reluctant to lay aside, out of reverence for Christ, the distinguished ornaments of gold and gems which she still wore. When the one so commanded had passed this over in silence, he appeared again on the second night and earnestly repeated the same things as the day before. But when even then he had not presumed to intimate anything from the vision to the Queen, he appeared yet a third night with a great threat, reiterating what he had previously commanded. And when he still did not dare to tell the Queen anything, a fever was suddenly sent upon his body and he began to be violently afflicted. He announces to Bathilde that she should lay aside her vain ornaments. When the Queen visited him in his illness and inquired about the causes of his sickness, the sick man, having found his opportunity, disclosed the secrets of his heart, told the Queen what had been commanded, and set forth for her the entire substance of the vision."

[26] "Without delay, after the narration of these things, the fever at once departed and he recovered his former health. The Queen, however, having no doubt about the Confessor's admonition, immediately cast off all ornaments from herself, nor did she retain upon her person any ornaments except golden bracelets; distributing all the rest in alms, and fitting the more elegant pieces into a work of the Cross, which, having most elegantly completed it, she ordered to be placed at the head of St. Eligius. She obeys and adorns his tomb. She further ordered a canopy to be wonderfully fashioned of gold and silver, which was to be placed over the Confessor's remains. In this work she herself provided a great mass of gold and silver, saying: 'This most blessed man fashioned the sepulchers of many Saints, and I, as is fitting, will fashion a memorial for him, if I can.' And so it was done. And after it was set in place over the tomb, such an abundance of gold and gems in brooches and various forms was thereafter deposited in that place by the powerful, that the words of one recounting it can scarcely suffice to describe it." So much there. What "crepa" means here we have not yet determined. Binet interprets it as a casket for containing the body of the holy Bishop. Elsewhere "crepa" is said to mean a wild goat; but that sense does not apply here.

[27] It seems, therefore, to have been on this occasion that she sent her belt (which is narrated in the earlier Life, number 8, and in the second, number 10) as alms to religious men. She also gives her belt as alms. Binet, in the French Life, chapter 4, writes that when the Prefect of the treasury complained that she was exhausting the royal treasures with such pious donations, she, having nothing else, gave her belt as alms.

Section V. Whether the murder of St. Annemundus, or Delfinus, was committed through Bathilde.

[28] An infamous reproach has been cast upon the name of St. Bathilde by William of Malmesbury, book 3, On the Deeds of the English Bishops. For concerning St. Wilfrid, who was afterwards Bishop of York The murder of St. Delfinus imputed to Bathilde by Malmesbury; and is venerated on October 12, he writes thus: "After he had stayed a long time in Rome, he returned to Lyons, to Dalfinus the Archbishop. When he had received him with no less generous kindness, they were joined by this compact: the stranger, adopted as a son and made a cleric; the Archbishop, chosen as a father, who by his kindly attention had erased from Wilfrid's mind all memory of returning to his homeland. But the devil begrudged Wilfrid his stay in Gaul and Dalfinus a longer life, sending upon Queen Bathilde infernal furies, so that after the nine Bishops she had slaughtered, she might heap him on as a tenth. She had sent soldiers to summon him to come; he, stronger than his misfortunes, although the woman's wickedness was not unknown to him, hastened to come. When the executioners immediately received him with swords, the English youth, with admirable constancy, almost plunging himself upon the very swords, thirsted for the fellowship of his father's death. But although he had already been stripped and his throat was already stretched out, he was spared by the mercy of the executioners and preserved for his own England."

[29] Bede, book 5 of the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, chapter 20, also commemorates the martyrdom of the same Bishop: "And when he had spent some months there, happily occupied with his studies, he returned to Dalfinus in Gaul and remained with him for three years, to Brunehilde by Bede, and was tonsured by him; and he was held in such great affection that Dalfinus thought of making him his heir. But this could not come to pass, for the Bishop was snatched away by a cruel death, and Wilfrid was reserved rather for the episcopate of his own nation, that is, of the English. For Queen Brunehilde sent soldiers and ordered the Bishop to be killed; and Wilfrid, as his cleric, followed him to the place where he was to be beheaded, desiring to die together with him (though the Bishop himself strongly forbade it). But when the executioners learned that he was a foreigner, born of the English nation, they spared him and were unwilling to slay him with their own Bishop. And he, coming to Britain, became a friend of King Alfrid." So much there.

[30] Hence an occasion was given to certain writers to establish that Dalfinus, a Martyr and Bishop of Lyons, different from Annemundus, was killed by Brunehilde, the widow of Sigebert, who exercised tyranny with the children of her son Childebert, Theodobert and Theodoric. And by others, who make him earlier. So Baronius, volume 8, at the year 614, number 4: "Another nefarious sacrilege was added to these by the impious woman; for she ordered the most holy man, Bishop Delfinus of Lyons, to be killed, as Bede testifies," etc. -- he cites the words of Bede that we have just quoted. Others follow Baronius: James Severt in his Chronology of the Bishops of Lyons says: "Dalfinus is indeed omitted by the monk Campegius and in the tables of Demochares. But he is distinguished as Bishop of Lyons in the Venerable Bede's History of the English Nation, volume 3 of his works, who testifies that his close friend was the pious English Bishop Wilfrid," etc. John Chenu: "Dalfinus was a friend of the Venerable Bede, with whom, returning from Rome, he stayed at Lyons for three years, until he was violently killed by order of Queen Brunehilde in the year of salvation 614, according to Baronius," etc.

[39] The author of the first Life, ch. 4, no. 14, writes thus: "And there was a certain little girl at that time, her goddaughter, baptized by St. Bathild, whom she commanded to go with her; who also suddenly departed from the body and preceded her to the tomb." More clearly in the second Life, no. 18: "Moreover, the Lady Bathild had a certain little girl, who dies with her, whom she had received from the font of holy baptism; for whom she poured forth prayers before the mercy of the Most High, that he would receive her before herself, and that she might see the little girl buried. Which she also quickly obtained. For at the same hour the soul of the little girl departed, and, as Blessed Bathild had requested, preceded her to the tomb." One may pronounce of her with the Wise Man: "Being made pleasing to God, she became beloved. She was taken away, lest wickedness should alter her understanding, or lest deceit should beguile her soul. For the bewitching of vanity obscures good things, and the inconstancy of desire subverts the innocent mind. Being made perfect in a short time, she fulfilled long times, for her soul was pleasing to God; therefore he hastened to lead her out of the midst of iniquities." Wis. 4.

[40] It is remarkable that her name is not inscribed in the Gallican Martyrology, since Stephen Binet, a member of our Society, testifies that her relics are religiously preserved in the altar of the monastery of Chelles along with other sacred relics. Her public veneration. For he reports that the heads of St. Eligius and St. Bathild, adorned with rich ornamentation, are exhibited there, and that above the altar, enclosed in individual caskets, are the bodies of St. Bathild the Queen, Bertila the first Abbess, and the innocent little virgin baptized by St. Bathild, along with relics of other Saints. Perhaps the Carthusians in their additions to Usuard and the author of the Cologne Martyrology wished to indicate this maiden with these words: "In the territory of Paris, at the monastery of Chelles, Paula the Virgin." And so they called her Paula, whose name they did not know -- unless those words about Paula are to be understood of the widow, as we said above, who is called a Virgin because she was placed in charge of virgins; and the name of Paula is joined to a portion of the eulogy of St. Bathild.

[41] Binet did not reveal the name of that Virgin. Benedict Dorganius, cited below, expressed it, as did the author of the Translation of St. Bathild in these words: "Moreover, as the Bishop of the city of Paris returned to his own, the venerable Abbess, with joy and exultation, arranged -- lest the place where the holy body of Bathild had been laid should remain empty -- by the guidance of divine grace, her name, what she deemed fitting: since the mother had been taken away from there, her daughter, who had departed this world in the seventh year of her age, named Radegund, should be placed there. For her indeed, as we find in the holy account of her life, her translation, before the hour of her death she had petitioned God that the child might precede her in death. For she foresaw in the spirit the evils of the world, and therefore prayed that the child might not be ensnared by its nets; but that, just as he had given a pure soul in so tiny a body, he would likewise receive it back without the stain of sin, and would place it among the hosts of the holy Virgins to abide forever."

LIFE

By an anonymous contemporary author, from an old manuscript of St. Mary de Ripatorio.

Bathild, Queen of Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 0906

By an anonymous contemporary author, from manuscripts.

PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.

[1] For my part, as I have been commanded, most beloved Brothers, for undertaking so delicate and pious a work, with Christ as leader -- even though my inexperience denies me the strength to produce a polished history or an ordered arrangement of scholarly words -- yet the impulse of a most full charity more powerfully commands us, that truth may be manifest and boasting may not inflate. Matt. 21. For we know that the Lord Jesus Christ sought fruit from the fig tree rather than leaves. And therefore we have resolved to make manifest and not to conceal the fruit of truth upon the candlestick of the lamp, for the edification and profit of many, The purpose of this writing, being less skilled in scholarly matters, but wishing rather to be open to the edification of many who, like prudent bees, seek sweet nectar from flowers -- that is, from simple words, an increase that edifies the hearer rather than inflates: so that it may openly show to those who wish to imitate a compendium of piety. Here, therefore, we present the truth not so much to detractors as to the faithful, as best we could.

CHAPTER I.

Bathild's holy character. The royal marriage.

[2] Blessed be the Lord, who wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, who also works all things in all, both the willing and the accomplishing. And therefore his praise is rightly to be sung -- first in the merits and virtues of the Saints, he who makes the small great, who indeed lifts the poor man from the dunghill and makes him sit with the princes of his people: just as with the present venerable woman of great merit, the Lady Queen Baltichildis. Whom, summoning by divine providence from a transmarine parts, St. Bathild is sold in Gaul: and sold at a low price, this precious and excellent pearl of God arrived here. And she was received by the Prince of the Franks and illustrious man, b the former Erchinoald, in whose service the young woman conducted herself most honorably: she serves Erchinoald, so that her pious and admirable manner of life pleased both the Prince and all his servants. endowed with the finest character, For she was kind in spirit and sober in all her manners, prudent and cautious, plotting evil against no one, of elegant form: not frivolous in speech, not presumptuous in word; but most honorable in all her actions. And since she was of Saxon race, her bodily form was pleasing and most refined, her appearance comely, her expression cheerful, and her bearing grave; and since she was such, she was entirely pleasing to the Prince she becomes his cup-bearer: and found favor in his eyes. He directed that she should serve him cups in his chamber and that, as a most honorable cup-bearer, she should often be present and stand in attendance upon him. From this dignity of favor she had no pride; but rather, grounded in humility, she was obedient and lovable to all her companions, she serves all with humility: ministering with fitting honor to the older women, so that she would remove the shoes from their feet, and would herself clean and wash them, would bring water for washing, and would quickly prepare their garments. And this she did for them without murmuring, with a good and pious spirit.

[3] From this noble conduct of hers, the greatest praise and love grew up for her among her companions. And she merited so fortunate a reputation that when the wife of the aforesaid Prince Erchinoald had died, it pleased him to join the most honorable virgin Bathild to himself in the marriage bed. She flees the Prince's marriage: But she, having learned of this, secretly and carefully withdrew herself from his sight. And when she was called to the Prince's chamber, c she secretly hid herself in a corner, throwing vile rags over herself, so that no one would think anyone could be hiding there. But she, as a prudent and clever virgin, already then fleeing vain honors and loving humility, was trying, as best she could, to avoid the human marriage bed, that she might deserve to reach the spiritual and heavenly Bridegroom. But this too was undoubtedly being done by divine providence: that the Prince should not find her, though he sought her, and should join d another to himself in marriage. And then at last the maiden Bathild was found -- by the will of God truly, so that she who had avoided the Prince's marriage might afterward receive e Clovis, son of the former King Dagobert, as her husband: that the merit of her humility might raise her to a higher rank. To which rank divine dispensation had decreed to honor her, she marries Clovis II: so that she who had despised the King's minister might arrive at the King's marriage, and from her a royal offspring might proceed. Which has now been accomplished, as is evident to all, since f her royal progeny now reigns.

[4] And she, by the grace of prudence bestowed on her by the Lord, with vigilant zeal both obeyed the King as her lord, and showed herself to the Princes as a mother, to the Priests as a daughter, to the young and adolescents as the best nurse, she lives most holily, and was lovable to all -- loving the Priests as fathers, monks as brothers, the poor as a pious nurse, distributing generous alms to each; preserving the honor of the Princes and supporting their fitting counsels; always exhorting the young to religious pursuits; humbly and constantly petitioning the King on behalf of the Churches and the poor. For already, while still in the secular habit, wishing to serve Christ, she frequented prayer, daily commending herself to Christ the heavenly King. She appoints St. Genesius as her almoner. And the pious King, consoling her according to her faith and devotion, gave her his faithful servant the Abbot g Genesius as a helper; through whose hands she herself, ministering to the Priests and the poor, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and diligently arranged for the burial of the dead; directing through him to the monasteries of men and women most generous gifts of gold and silver. And this servant of Christ, the Lord Genesius, was afterwards ordained Bishop of Lyons in Gaul by Christ's command; for at that time he was constantly in the Frankish palace, through whom, as we have said, the Lady Baltichildis, together with the authority of King Clovis and at the suggestion of the same servant of God, dispensed the generous royal alms to the poor in many places.

CHAPTER II.

Administration of the kingdom. Pious works.

[5] After Clovis's death, What more? By God's command, King Clovis her husband departed from the body; and the offspring of sons having been left with their mother, his son Clothar thereupon succeeded to the Frankish kingdom. Bathild rules Gaul with her son: Then, with the excellent Princes -- Bishop Chrodobert of Paris, the Lord b Audoenus, and Ebroin, Mayor of the Palace, together with the remaining elders and many others -- the Frankish kingdom stood in peace. For at that time also the Austrasians, in peaceful order, with the Lady Balthild directing, by the counsel of the elders, received her son c Hilderic as King of Austrasia; the Burgundians and the Franks became united. And we believe, God governing according to the Lady Balthild's great faith, she secures peace for the realm: those three kingdoms at that time maintained the harmony of peace among themselves.

[6] It was done at that time through her, by the will of God and at the exhortation of good Priests, that the heresy of simony, which by corrupt practice was then defiling the Church of God, she exterminates simony, so that they would receive the episcopate by giving bribes contrary to right order -- the aforesaid Lady Balthild forbade this impious crime, so that no payment whatsoever should intervene for receiving sacred orders. She also ordained -- indeed the Lord through her -- that another most evil and impious custom should cease, she abolishes bad customs, on account of which many people were striving to destroy rather than nurture their offspring, since the division of public exactions, which were customarily imposed upon them, would inflict upon them the most grievous damage to their property. The Lady herself forbade this on account of her reward, so that no one should presume to do this. From which deed she awaits a copious and very great reward.

[7] For who could tell how many and how great advantages she conferred, by donating whole estates to the monasteries of religious persons, she gives much to monasteries, and by granting great forests for building cells or monasteries? She also built, as her own special concerns of God, the great monastery of Virgins consecrated to God at Chelles in the territory of Paris. Where she appointed the very devout handmaid of God, the maiden Bertilla, as the first Mother. In which the venerable Lady Balthild herself afterward was accustomed to live under the complete rule of religion and to rest in peace, she builds the monastery of Chelles, and in truth she fulfilled this with a devout will. Nor should it be passed over (because it pertains to the praise of God, whatever he wonderfully works in his Saints and elect -- for as Scripture says, "God is wonderful in his Saints," whose Spirit the Paraclete works inwardly through good will, as it is written, "To everyone who wills the good, God is his co-worker" -- as is truly agreed to have been the case with this great woman; Ps. 67:36. for as we have said, neither our tongue nor, I think, that of anyone however learned, is able to recount all her good deeds): how many consolations and aids to the houses of God and to his poor for the love of Christ, and Corbie, and how many opportunities and advantages she bestowed; and what a monastery she built by her own work, called Corbie, in the diocese of Amiens, where the venerable man the Lord Theudofredus -- now Bishop, but then Abbot -- presided over a great flock of Brothers, whom the aforesaid Lady Balthild had requested from the most reverend Lord Galbert, former Abbot, from the monastery of Luxeuil, and had wonderfully directed to that same monastery of Brothers, which stands to this day and is praiseworthy.

[8] What else? To Jumieges, to the religious man the Lord Philibert, she granted from the fisc both a great forest she bestows benefits on many others where the monastery of Brothers is situated, and many gifts and provisions from the royal fisc for building that monastery. And how much to the Lord Legobert for the monastery of Curbion -- both a great estate called Nugaret, she gives her own belt for the adornment of sacred things, and many talents of silver and gold! She even devoutly removed from her sacred loins the very royal belt with which she was girded and sent it to the Brothers as alms. And all this she dispensed with a cheerful face and kindly spirit. 2 Cor. 9:7. For as Scripture says, "God loves a cheerful giver." Similarly to Fontenelle she granted many blessings and resources. For how many whole estates she granted and how much innumerable money she sent to Luxeuil and to the remaining monasteries in Burgundy! What of the monastery of Jouarre, from which she summoned those sacred Virgins, together with the aforesaid Lady Abbess Bertilla, to her monastery of Chelles -- how many gifts, both of lands and money, she bestowed there! Similarly to the monastery of St. Fara she often sent her generous gifts. To the city of Paris, to the basilicas and monasteries of the Saints, she conferred both great and many estates, and enriched them with many gifts. What more? As we have said, I am unable to narrate these things in detail, nor even scarcely half; and all her good deeds cannot be told by us at all.

[9] For we must not pass over the fact that, through the elder basilicas of the Saints -- of the Lord Denis and the Lord Germanus, she exhorts religious persons to live piously, and the Lord Medardus, and St. Peter, and the Lord Anianus, and St. Martin, and wherever her knowledge had reached -- she commanded the Bishops and Abbots by persuasion out of zeal for God, and sent letters to them for this purpose, that the Brothers living in those places should live under the holy regular order. And so that they would willingly acquiesce, she ordered privileges to be confirmed for them and also granted immunities, so that it might more delight them to beseech the clemency of Christ, the supreme King, for the king and for peace. And this should be mentioned, because it pertains to the sum of her reward: that she forbade Christian captives to be sold, and issued decrees throughout the several regions she forbids Christians to be made slaves that no one in the kingdom of the Franks should at all send away a captive Christian; but rather she herself ordered many captives to be redeemed at a price she paid, and she released them as free, and sent others of them into monasteries, and especially very many men and maidens of her own nation she nourished with herself. She sends alms to Rome. For as many as she could draw to herself, she commended them to holy monasteries and commanded them to pray for her. Even to Rome, to the basilicas of the Blessed Peter and Paul, and to the poor of Rome, she very often sent many and generous gifts.

p. Jouarre (Latin Iotrum, French Jouarre) is a monastery of Virgins on the river Marne, in the diocese of Meaux, founded by Rado, brother of St. Audoenus.

q. Concerning St. Fara and her monastery, situated in the same diocese of Meaux, we shall treat on December 7.

CHAPTER III.

Religious life in the monastery.

[10] For it was her holy devotion that she should live in the monastery of religious women which we have mentioned -- that is, at Chelles, which she herself had built. The long-desired religious life, For the Franks too, out of love for her, were greatly prolonging this and would not allow it to happen, had it not been for the disturbance caused by the wretched Bishop Sigebrand, whose pride among the Franks merited the ruin of death. And from this, a conflict having arisen, while they killed him against her will, fearing lest the Lady herself should take it grievously against them she at last embraces it and wish to avenge the affair, they suddenly permitted her to proceed to the monastery. And perhaps there is no doubt that those Princes at that time did not permit it with good will. But the Lady herself, considering the will of God -- that this was not so much their counsel as God's dispensation, so that her holy devotion might be fulfilled through whatever occasion, with Christ guiding -- was conducted by certain elders and came to her aforesaid monastery of Chelles, where she was received by the holy maidens, as was fitting, honorably and most lovingly, in the holy congregation. She had at that time no small complaint against those whom she herself had tenderly nourished, she complains of the ingratitude of the nobles, because they had held her in false suspicion, and had even repaid her evil for good. But conferring about this with the Priests, she more quickly and mercifully forgave them everything, and she begged that they too would forgive her that agitation of heart. And peace between them, by the Lord's generosity, was most fully restored.

[11] She herself, with the most tender affection, loved the Sisters as her own daughters, and obeyed their holy Abbess as a mother, and rendered them service as the lowest handmaid, out of holy devotion. She performs the most menial tasks. So much so that even when she was still governing the public palace, she herself would often visit her holy monastery, and she powerfully displayed an example of great humility, to the point that she herself would serve the Sisters in the kitchen, and would clean the most vile refuse, even sweeping out the dung. And all this she performed with joy and a happy spirit -- so humble a ministry for Christ. For who would believe that the eminence of such great power would serve in the most menial tasks, unless the great and most full love of Christ had demanded this of her in every way? She applied herself assiduously to devoted prayer with tears and frequently attended to divine reading. She also continually provided consolation through holy exhortation and frequent visitation of the sick. For she grieved with those who grieved through the study of charity, and rejoiced with those who rejoiced, and she humbly and often suggested to the Lady Abbess that the healthy might be comforted. To her petition the Abbess lovingly granted everything, as a mother; for truly they had, after the Apostolic manner, one heart and one soul, while they held each other and loved each other most fully in Christ. Acts 4:32.

[12] She suffers from colic. The Lady Balthild began to be infirm in body and to suffer grievously from a cutting of the bowels, a most evil affliction of illness; and had not the skill of physicians come to her aid, she would nearly have perished. But she herself had faith rather in the heavenly Physician, always trusting in him for her health. And she, with a holy and pious conscience, did not cease to give thanks to God for her chastisement, and to dispense good and prudent advice always, and to show the Sisters an example of great humility through her service as a model of piety. She offers good counsel to the Abbess and the monastery. And conferring often with the Mother of the monastery, she urged that they should always visit the King and Queen and the nobles with fitting honor and with blessings, as was the custom, lest the house should lose the good reputation it had acquired, but should rather always remain more and more in the affection of charity with all friends, and more vigorously in the love of God's name, as it is written: "It is fitting that you have a good testimony from those who are outside." 1 Tim. 3:7. And especially she urged that care for the poor and for guests should always be bestowed with the utmost zeal out of mercy and love toward them. For the love of Christ, the holy mother of the monastery, hearing the admonitions of salvation, fulfilled all things with an eager and happy spirit. Nor did she in any way cease to fulfill them thereafter, for the increase of their common reward.

CHAPTER IV.

Illness, death, miracles.

[13] But when her glorious death was drawing near, a splendid vision was shown to her. By a divine vision she learns she will die soon. For a ladder, set up and standing before the altar of St. Mary, whose summit touched heaven, with the Angels of God, as it were, accompanying her, so that the Lady Balthild might ascend by it: so that from this revelation it might be openly understood that through her sublime merits, her patience and humility would lead her, exalted and hastened, to the height of the eternal King and to the crown of reward. And the Lady herself, having learned of this vision, knew that she would very soon depart from the body and arrive there where she had long since stored up her excellent treasure. But she commanded that this be kept silent, so that until her passing the vision should not be told to the Sisters or the Mother of the monastery, lest they grieve with the sorrow of mourning. She conceals this from the Abbess and Sisters lest they be saddened. But rather, she herself with a pious and eager mind applied herself more and more to holy prayer, and with contrition of heart commended herself more attentively to the heavenly King, the Lord Jesus Christ. And she secretly always exhorted and consoled the Lady Bertilla and the Sisters, saying that she herself was now recovering somewhat better from her illness. And she dissembled the coming sadness of her passing, which afterward befell them suddenly and greatly.

[14] When the Lady herself sensed that her end was near, her holy mind was raised to heaven. And being made certain of the recompense of blessedness and a great reward, she forbade those around her to make this known to the other Sisters or to the Lady Abbess, who was herself very ill, lest she too should be endangered by the magnitude of grief. And there was at that time a certain little girl, her goddaughter, whom she commanded to go with her; and she too suddenly departed from the body and preceded her to the tomb. Then, signing herself confidently, with her pious eyes and holy hands raised, she dies piously, that holy soul was released from the bond of the body in peace. And immediately a divine splendor most brilliantly flashed in that very chamber. the chamber being filled with heavenly light. And without doubt by the chorus of Angels, and with her most faithful friend, the former Lord Bishop Genesius, coming to meet her, that holy soul was gloriously received, as her great merit demanded.

[15] And so the Sisters fell silent for a little while in the groaning of such great grief; and as she had commanded, in silence, yet in such a way that only the Priests, who commended her most blessed soul to the Lord, were informed. When afterward the Abbess and the whole congregation learned of this, Prayer is offered for her, with great weeping they sought to know how it was that so suddenly and unexpectedly the hour of her departure was not made known to them, and that precious gem, desirable to all, was, as it were, snatched from them. And all being astonished, at once prostrating themselves together upon the ground, with many tears poured out there in the groaning of immense grief, weeping and giving thanks to the good Lord and praising him, they commended her holy soul to the pious King Christ, that he himself might bring her into the choir of St. Mary and the fellowship of the Saints. And as was fitting for her dignity, they buried her with great honor and much reverence. Then the Lady Abbess Bertilla, solicitous with a zeal for piety, commended her to the holy Priests and to many churches, that a holy memorial should be made continually in the sacred offerings. Which is now celebrated continuously in many places, as her merit deserves.

[16] She left a holy example to those who follow: the pursuit of humility and patience, meekness and most perfect love, Her prudence and other virtues, and indeed of infinite mercy, a shrewd vigilance of prudence, and a confession of purity, and that all things should be done by counsel and nothing at all without forethought, but all things should be done temperately and reasonably. This rule of piety she left as a most holy example to her companions, for which holy virtues and many more holy merits she received a crown of great reward, long since stored up for her by the Lord. And now she enjoys, among the Angels in the sight of the Lord and her Bridegroom, together with the white flock of Virgins, miracles at her tomb, that immense and everlasting joy which she desired. And now, to declare her sublime merit to the faithful, divine goodness works many wonders at her sacred tomb. Thus whoever comes there seized by fever, or vexed by a demon, or afflicted with toothache, approaching in faith, is immediately, through divine power and through her holy intercession, freed at once from whatever plague of disease, and they go forth healthy and unharmed in God's name -- as has recently and manifestly happened in the case of a certain boy.

[17] For there came from the region of Provence a certain venerable man, Bishop Leudegandus, a friend and faithful supporter of the monastery of Chelles, whose boy was seized by a most savage demon, a boy possessed by a demon is cured, so that he could not be restrained by his companions unless they bound his hands and feet, because in his extreme violence he would tear apart anyone he could touch. When he arrived at the holy place and, entering the temple, touched the noble sarcophagus -- led, however, by others -- through the supplications of the same Saint he obtained such gentleness as though he were ignorant of all his former savagery. The sign of gentleness soon shone forth, accompanied by the joy of health. And he who had relied on others' support in coming, rejoiced in his own strength in returning.

[18] O with how great love she is to be venerated, and with how great veneration she is to be worshipped Epilogue by those dwelling in all the regions of the world, whose most blessed memory is celebrated -- she who merited such great grace with the Emperor of the starry and verdant globe and of all nature therein, that whatever benefits she asked she swiftly obtained! What blind person ever implored the aid of the exalted Queen Bathilde, asking for light, and returned without light? What paralytic or one with contracted limbs, seeking his vigor, went back without having obtained health? What demonic affliction persisted in anyone before her? What lame person approached having lost his step and went back without his step? Or what deaf or mute persons returned disappointed of the gift of ears and speech? Let the world therefore rejoice in her festival, whose manifold virtue has gladdened it. Let us too rejoice, exulting in her praise, because the angelic citizens rejoice in her fellowship. Therefore, since to run through the miracles displayed for each merit of so great a Queen would not suffice even if all the mouths of men were present; nor would the extended delay of a very long year complete the glorious deeds of the same most holy woman; let us offer our prayers, by which, fittingly relying, we may perform the things at hand, and may we merit to attain without end the eternal things of perpetual glory -- with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ aiding us, the fullness of divinity reigning forever and ever. Amen.

ANOTHER LIFE

By an anonymous but ancient author, from the Corsendoncano manuscript and Surius.

Bathild, Queen of Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 0909

By an anonymous author, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The excellent virtues of Bathilde. The royal marriage.

[1] Preface of the author. The religious life of widows, the more illustrious it is in merits, the more it is praiseworthy in the louder voice of the people; for while they furnish to others an example of good conduct, they stir up the tongues of all in their praise. Recalling, therefore, the virtues and merits of the glorious widow and religious woman and excellent Queen, the Lady Bathild, wife of the former Lord Clovis, illustrious King of the Franks, let us praise our Redeemer Jesus, who is always known to be wonderful in his Saints, and has opened for us the way of justice not only through men but has also shown us examples of religion through women, to all who love him. For our God is always solicitous for all, and does not wish any of those whom he redeemed with his own blood to perish. For he exhorts the holy to persist in holiness, and sinners to depart from evil works and to adhere to good deeds, so that they may reach the heavenly homeland. Understanding this, the venerable Lady strove diligently to fulfill it. For she was religious and very devoted to God, and bearing care for the Churches and the poor, she governed the Palace manfully with great vigor of spirit, and guided the kingdom of the Franks irreproachably, to the point that she was loved with wonderful affection by all the Bishops and the entire people of her kingdom, her merits demanding it. I have thought it worthy to insert a brief account of her praises on this page, both for her own holiness and for the relationship of the Saints descended from the same family.

[2] Blessed Bathilde, recently in her girlish age carried off by divine providence from overseas regions, St. Bathild is purchased, she serves, and sold for a small price but by an incomparable exchange, came here, that precious and excellent pearl of God; and she is known to have been received by a certain Prince of the Franks and most illustrious man, Erchinoald, who was then governing the Palace. In his service, she as a young woman conducted herself most becomingly, so that her honorable conduct and admirable character pleased both the Prince and all his servants. For she was kind in spirit, endowed with an excellent nature, and in all her ways modest, sober, prudent, and lovable, plotting evil against none. She was not frivolous in speech, not presumptuous in word; but she governed all her actions with the most honorable disposition. For though she served the duties of another nation, she was shown to be descended from the noble blood of the Saxons. Accordingly her bodily form was pleasing and comely in every aspect, her face cheerful and her bearing grave; and she showed herself such in all things as was becoming to her, she becomes the Prince's cup-bearer, so that she was most pleasing to the aforesaid Judge of Princes, and found favor in his eyes. He ordered her to present him cups and to stand frequently in his service as a most honorable cup-bearer. From this dignity of favor she had no pride, but rather, grounded in humility, dutiful toward all, she was obedient and lovable to all her companions, ministering with fitting honor to the older women, so that she would remove the shoes from their feet, and wipe and wash them with her own hands, and also bring water for washing, and quickly prepare their garments; and this she performed without murmuring, with a good and willing spirit.

[3] From this noble conduct of hers, the greatest praise and love grew up for her among her companions; and she merited so happy a reputation that, after the wife whom the aforesaid Prince Erchinoald had lost by death, she avoids the Prince's marriage, it pleased the same Prince to join Bathild, the most honorable virgin, to himself in the marriage bed. When the blessed virgin, already illuminated by divine grace, clearly perceived this matter, she secretly and carefully withdrew herself from his sight. And so, when she was called to the Prince's chamber, she secretly hid herself in a corner of the house, like a shrewd girl, and covered herself with vile rags, so that no one would think anyone could be hiding there. And as a prudent and clever virgin, already then fleeing vain honors and loving humility and chastity, she was trying, as best she could, to avoid the human marriage bed, so that she might deserve to reach the spiritual and heavenly Bridegroom. But this too was undoubtedly being done by divine providence: that the Prince should not find her when he sought her, so that he might join another to himself in marriage. She marries the King. But after the same Duke married another, at length Bathild the maiden was sought and found, but was by no means touched by the aforesaid Prince. It is believed to have been done by a divine nod that she, who had avoided the Prince's marriage, should afterward receive Clovis, son of the former King Dagobert, as her husband, and that the merit of her humility should raise her to a higher rank. In which rank the divine dispensation had decreed to honor her: that while she had spurned the King's minister, she should arrive at the King's marriage, and from her a royal offspring should proceed. This was accomplished, as is evident to all, so that she, who was of royal stock, should receive a royal union and beget a royal progeny.

[4] She lives prudently and holily. And she, by the grace of prudence bestowed on her by God, with vigilant zeal both obeyed the King as her Lord, and showed herself to the Princes as a mother, to the Priests as a daughter, to the young and adolescents as a pious nurse; and she was lovable to all, loving the Priests as fathers, monks as brothers, the poor as members of the household; she embraced pilgrims as children, because she herself had been a pilgrim. She provided the necessities of life to widows, orphans, and wards, and bore aid to all who were in any way infirm. She always admonished the young to engage in religious pursuits, and humbly and assiduously urged the King on behalf of the Churches and the poor. For already, wishing to serve Christ while still in the secular habit, she frequented prayer, daily commending herself with tears to Christ the heavenly King. The pious King himself, consulting her faith and devotion, through St. Genesius she distributes many alms, so that she might more fully accomplish what she had conceived in her mind, provided her with the venerable man, Abbot Genesius, as an aid and supplement of assistance. Ministering through his hands to the Priests and the poor, she herself fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and diligently arranged for the burial of the dead. She also sent through him to the monasteries of men and sacred Virgins no small quantities of gold and silver. All of which the same servant of God, Genesius -- who was afterward ordained Bishop of Lyons in Gaul by Christ's gift -- received; for at that time he was constantly in the palace of the Franks. Through him indeed, as we said, the blessed mother Bathild herself, together with the authority of King Clovis, for whose prosperity and health she was unceasingly solicitous, she arranges for prayer for the King, and with the aforesaid servant of God also suggesting it, distributed the most generous alms to many poor people in various places for the life of the King.

CHAPTER II.

Administration of the kingdom. Pious works.

[5] She governs the kingdom with her son. Meanwhile the Lord King Clovis her husband, summoned by divine grace, in the eighteenth year of his reign was removed from human affairs and departed from this world. And the offspring of sons having been left with their mother, his son King Lothair immediately assumed the governance of the Franks. And with the most excellent Princes -- Bishop Chrodobert of Paris, and the Lord Audoenus of Rouen, and Ebroin, Mayor of the Palace, together with the remaining elders and very many others seeking the honor of the kingdom -- he was established in the governance of the Franks in peace. The Austrasians also, in peaceful order, with the Lady Bathild arranging it (through the counsel of the elders), received her son Hilderic as King in Austrasia; and the Burgundians and the Franks were made united from that time. And we believe, with God governing, she establishes peace in the kingdom, that according to the great faith of the Lady Bathild, those three kingdoms, which had formerly been at variance in discord, then maintained among themselves the harmony of peace.

[6] It was done moreover through her, by the will of God, with the Priests exhorting, that the heresy of simony, which by corrupt practice was then defiling the Church of God (that is, by giving -- contrary to the decrees of the Canons -- gifts of rewards for obtaining and conferring the grades of the episcopate, the priesthood, or the remaining orders) she removes the blemish of simony should be utterly driven out by Catholic men, and this impious crime should be forbidden, so that no Bishop should give or receive anything for receiving or conferring sacred orders. She also ordained -- she abrogates unjust taxes, indeed the Lord through her -- that another most evil custom should cease, on account of which far more people preferred their children to die rather than to be nourished, since they saw exactions being made from them, and by ancient custom they were pressed to accept public evils, whence they suffered the most grievous damage to their property. She, full of piety, forbade this avarice of the most wicked cupidity for the reward of eternal recompense, and handed it over to the laws to be maintained in perpetuity; from which deed a copious reward, greatly given by the Lord, remains for her.

[7] For who is able to recount how many and how great advantages she conferred, by donating whole estates to the monasteries of religious men and sacred Virgins, she benefits many monasteries, and by granting access to forests for building cells or monasteries? To her even the liberality of the great possessions she was conferring through the various monasteries did not seem sufficient for the wish of her desire, if she did not also, among the other special houses of God, build a monastery that would look toward heaven. For which reason, already as if treading upon the sea of the world, she most fittingly built the monastery of Chelles for holy Virgins in the territory of Paris, she builds that of Chelles, surrounded by the flowing waters of the river Marne. This place she enlarged and adorned with the most affluent estates and very many more with their revenues, and delivered them into the power of the sacred Virgins living there under religious rule -- whose names, however, I have omitted to avoid the tedium of certain readers. But I have taken care to insert this: which is very much to be feared by the rectors of that place. For she established a decree concerning these things, and signed it with her own hands and those of her sons, and confirmed it with the seal of the Kings; in which testament she threatened, through the invocation of the Holy Trinity and the day of the dread Judgment, that no rector of that place in succeeding times should subtract anything from those estates which she had bestowed for the various uses of those dwelling in the same monastery, or hold beneficiaries from them; and if anyone should do so, he would be afflicted with infernal punishments together with Judas, the most wicked and most avaricious traitor, and punished without end. And whoever seeks that testament will find it in the archive of the same Church. Bertilla is appointed Abbess. In this monastery also she appointed as the first Mother the venerable and very devout handmaid of God, Bertilla, whom she had summoned from the monastery of Jouarre. Where also she herself, a pearl acceptable to God and chosen, thereafter decreed to live under the rule of complete religion and to rest in peace -- which in truth, as time afterward permitted, she fulfilled with a devout will.

[8] Nor should it be passed over -- because it pertains to the praise of God whatever he wonderfully works in his Saints and elect, as Scripture says: "God is wonderful in his Saints." Ps. 67:36. Whose Spirit the Paraclete is the inward co-worker through good will, giving the precepts of eternal life, she bestows much on Churches and the poor, as it is written: "To everyone who wills the good, God is a co-worker and administrator." Which is truly and clearly shown to have been the case with this sacred and most illustrious Lady Bathild, of whom our discourse treats. For to speak truly, neither our tongue nor, I think, that of anyone is able to recount all the good things she wrought: in consolations of the poor, in the building and assistance of the Churches of God, in the needs of all the destitute, and what or how great the benefits she provided in the midst of adversities.

[9] She builds Corbie. Nor should this be passed over in silence among the chief things she did: that she built from the ground up by her own work the monastery called Corbie in the territory of Amiens, and established a devout flock of monks there. Where the venerable man the Lord Theudofredus -- now Bishop, but then Abbot -- presided over a great flock of Brothers, whom the aforesaid Lady Bathild had requested from the most reverend man Abbot Walbert from the monastery of Luxeuil, and directed to the aforesaid monastery of Brothers. That monastery she founded and adorned both from its foundations and with estates, lands, and all the necessities of expenditure. In which place her memory is venerably recalled, as is fitting, and her praise will be sung as long as the spirit guides human limbs in this vale of weeping.

[10] To the Lord Philibert also, Abbot of the monastery of Jumieges, she gives much to other monasteries, including her own belt, a great and religious man, she granted from the fisc a great forest where the monastery of Brothers is situated, and great gifts and provisions from the royal fisc for building that monastery. She also bestowed many talents of silver and gold upon the Lord Laygobert, Abbot of the monastery of Curbion, together with a certain estate whose name has escaped memory, for the use of the servants of God dwelling there. She even removed from her sacred loins the very royal belt with which she was girded and gave it to the Brothers as alms -- doing and dispensing all this with a kindly spirit and a cheerful countenance, knowing what is written: "God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7. In this way the blessed soul was storing up for herself from earthly riches a treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. Similarly to Fontenelle and Logium she granted many advantages of benefits. To Luxeuil also and to the remaining monasteries of Burgundy she granted very many whole estates and sent innumerable money. To the monastery of Jouarre also, from which she directed and summoned the sacred Virgins together with the aforesaid Lady Abbess Bertilla to the monastery of Chelles, she devoutly bestowed a new estate situated in the territory of Vermandois, with many other gifts by which she honored and enriched that place. Nor was she unmindful of the monastery of St. Fara; for she assigned to it a certain estate together with frequently given gifts and most generous donations. To the basilicas and churches and monasteries of holy men and sacred Virgins of the city of Paris she bestowed praiseworthy and many estates, and enlarged them with most numerous gifts. But as we have said, we are unable to narrate or even half tell in detail all the good things that this worshipper and lover of God accomplished in all things, as far as she could. Good never failed from her, because she loved God and cherished him with the greatest zeal.

[11] We must not pass over the fact that, through the chief basilicas of the Saints -- she benefits others, that they may live holily, namely of the blessed Denis and the holy Germanus, Blessed Medard, St. Peter, and the Lord Anianus, and St. Martin, and wherever her fame could be known -- she commanded the Bishops and Abbots by persuasion out of zeal for God, and sent them letters, that the Brothers dwelling in those holy places should be made to live chastely and soberly under the holy regular order. And so that they would more willingly acquiesce, she caused a religious privilege to be confirmed for them by her sons and granted immunities, so that it might better delight them to beseech the clemency of Christ, the supreme King, for the king and for peace.

[12] She forbids Christian captives to be sold. This also should be mentioned, which pertains to the sum of her reward: that she forbade Christian captive men to be sold. And she issued decrees throughout the regions of each city, that no one in the kingdom of the Franks should at all send a captive Christian into another kingdom. Having also paid a just price of recompense, she ordered many captives to be redeemed, and released some as free, while others she sent with the religious habit under a rule into monasteries. Especially, however, she commended to God men and maidens of her own nation whom she herself had nourished, just as she commended herself, and established them to lead the monastic life. Moreover, as many as she could -- especially of the household -- she induces many to the religious life, of both sexes, she could entice by persuasion, those she commended to holy monasteries, and commanded them to pray to the good Lord for her, and for her deceased husband, and for the salvation of her sons, and for the peace of the kingdom. For divine clemency granted her such great grace that by her profitable persuasion and magnificent instruction she drew many who were weighed down by the vanity of the world and placed them under the yoke of Christ, which is light. And truly she was adopting the privilege of enjoying that brightness of which the Angel spoke to Daniel concerning those who instruct in justice: "Those who instruct many in prudence shall shine like stars for perpetual eternities." Dan. 12:3. She also most fittingly honored with gifts the basilicas of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul situated at Rome, out of love for them. And she very often sent the most generous gifts to the recluses and poor of Rome as well.

CHAPTER III.

Religious life in the monastery.

[13] The Princes oppose her becoming a nun. For her holy devotion was growing daily, and she was striving in every way to lead the monastic life in the monastery which she herself had built, and to abide there in body as well as in mind. But the chief men and nobles of the Franks kept deferring, especially because the Palace was governed by her wisdom, and on account of her holy conduct she was loved by all. They would by no means have permitted her to fulfill her vow, had not a certain disturbance occurred concerning the wretched Bishop Sigebrand, whose pride among the Franks merited the ruin of death. From this, therefore, a conflict having arisen, when they killed him against her will, without a hearing, and contrary to law, fearing lest the blessed Queen herself should strike harshly against them afterward they urge her and conduct her to Chelles and wish to avenge so great a crime and so great an outrage -- what previously out of temporal love they had not permitted to happen, now, struck by fear of legal judgment, they urged her to fulfill her desired wish. And perhaps there is no doubt that those Princes permitted this craftily and not with good will. Nevertheless the Lady herself, illuminated by the grace of God, considered that this had been done not so much by their counsels as by God's dispensation, so that her holy devotion might be fulfilled through whatever occasion, with Christ guiding. Therefore, conducted by some of the elder princes, she came to the aforesaid long-desired monastery of Chelles, and there she was received by the nuns, as was fitting, honorably and most admirably into the congregation, and she gave thanks to Almighty God, who had received her under the shadow of his protection and brought her to the harbor of her will. She had meanwhile no small complaint against those whom she herself had tenderly nurtured, because they had falsely held her under suspicion, and had even attempted to repay her evil for good. But conferring about this with the Priests, she more quickly and mercifully forgave them everything, and begged that they in turn would forgive her the same agitation. And afterward love among them, by the Lord's generosity, was most fully restored and remained.

[14] The blessed mother herself, with the most tender affection, loved the Sisters as her own daughters, and obeyed the holy Abbess whom she had placed over herself as a mother, and to all she rendered the service of obedience not, I would say, as a Lady, but as a shrewd little handmaid, out of holy devotion. She displayed with strong spirit an example of great humility to all, she performs the most menial tasks, so that she herself would serve the Sisters in the duty of the kitchen, she herself would do all the cleaning, and -- what is more -- she, that most pure pearl, would clean the filth of the dung with her own hands. And all this she performed with joy and a happy spirit -- so humble a service of obedience for the Lord whom she knew to have said: "I came not to be served but to serve." Matt. 20:28. For who would believe that the eminence of such great power would minister in the most menial things, unless the great love of Christ had granted this to her in every way? She applied herself, therefore, assiduously to devout prayer with tears and frequently attended to divine reading. She bestowed continuous consolation upon the sick through holy exhortation and frequent visitation. For by the study of charity she grieved with the grieving and rejoiced with the rejoicing, and for the weak and infirm, that the subsidy of consolation of soul and body might be administered to them, she very often humbly made suggestions to the Lady Abbess. To her petition the Abbess admirably granted everything, as a pious mother; for truly they had, according to the Apostolic institution, one heart and one soul; for they loved to hold each other and to love most fully in Christ. Acts 4:32.

[15] Meanwhile the Lady Bathild began to be infirm in body and to suffer grievously from a cutting of the bowels, she suffers from colic, a most evil affliction of illness (which physicians call ileos). And had not the skill and care of physicians come to her aid, she would nearly have perished. Nevertheless, although she was tormented by the force of pain through her tender limbs, she did not cease to give thanks with a holy and pure conscience to the heavenly Physician, who aids those who labor in tribulation, from whom she believed with a trusting soul she would receive eternal rewards. She is an example to other Virgins. And offering herself to all as an example of great humility, she strove to show the Sisters a model of piety, submission, and humility, often conferring with the Mother of the monastery that she should visit the King and Queen and the nobles with worthy honor and the services of blessings; so that, as was most fitting, the house of God should not lose the good reputation it had received, but should rather always remain more and more in the affection of charity with all friends, and more vigorously in the love of God's name and in the love of neighbor, as it is written: "It is fitting to have a good testimony from those who are outside." 1 Tim. 3:7. Especially, however, she admonished the aforesaid Mother to have care for the poor and for guests with the greatest zeal, she wisely instructs the Abbess, out of mercy and love. For the name of Christ she received the admonitions of salvation and fulfilled everything that was enjoined upon her with an eager and good spirit. And so in such matters, according to what was urged upon her by the Lady Bathild (who is so often to be mentioned), as long as the aforesaid Lady Abbess Bertilla lived, she did not cease to fulfill them, leaving to posterity an example, so that her memory might remain for ever and ever, and her name might be exalted in glory.

CHAPTER IV. Illness, death, burial.

[16] Therefore, as the death of the Lady Bathild approached, a splendid and fitting vision was shown to her. By a divine vision she understands she will die soon. For a ladder seemed to stand erect before the altar of St. Mary, whose summit touched the heavens; and as if the Angels of God were her kindly companions, together with them the same St. Bathild perceived herself penetrating the heavenly secrets. Truly blessed, she whose companions on the journey were Angels. Behold the ladder which she erected to heaven while she lived. Behold the companion Angels whom, by adhering to good works, she had gained as friends. Behold the rungs of the ladder by which, having ascended, she arrived at Christ, long desired, who ascended above all the heavens. From this revelation, therefore, it is openly understood that her sublime merits -- namely patience and humility and the other virtues which she had loved with all her soul -- were going to lead her, to be quickly rewarded, to the height of the eternal King and to the crown of reward. When the holy Mother herself learned of this vision, she knew that she would very soon depart from the body and arrive there where she had long since stored up her excellent treasure. But she commanded the Sisters who had been witnesses of this wonderful vision to keep silent about it, she wishes this concealed from the Abbess and Sisters, so that the vision should not be revealed to the Mother of the monastery or to any Sister, lest they should perish more from sadness, until the divine summons should receive her holy soul from the body. Placed, therefore, amid these joys, with a pious and eager mind she began to apply herself more and more to prayers, and she did not cease to commend herself more attentively with contrition of heart to the heavenly King, the Lord Jesus Christ. She concealed, as much as she could, the force of her pain, but she exhorted and consoled the Lady Bertilla and the other Sisters, teaching them that she was recovering somewhat from the illness by which she was exceedingly burdened; dissembling, as she could, the coming sadness which afterward came suddenly and unexpectedly upon those who were being comforted about her life.

[17] And when the happy and holy mother herself sensed that the end of her body was to be dissolved, immediately raising her holy mind, as was always her custom, together with her hands and eyes to heaven, she prayed that her Creator would receive the soul which he had created, lest the enemy, who is always hostile to all who will the good, should rejoice over it. She also besought the same eternal Father to rescue the flock of the same holy monastery from the jaws of the roaring lion; and she prayed that they might pass through the ebb and flow of the passing world by an undefiled path, so that the vessels which he had consecrated to himself, snatched from the most squalid scales of the dragon, he might fit, clean and spotless, to the pure Angels, whose friend chastity always is. She is made certain of salvation. Being at last made certain of the rewards of blessed recompense, she forbade with what strength she could those standing by her to make this known to the other Sisters dwelling outside, nor to the Lady Abbess, who was gravely burdened with illness, lest perhaps, overwhelmed by the weight of the magnitude of her grief, she might be endangered in life and body alike.

[18] She obtains from heaven the death of the little girl. Moreover, the Lady Bathild herself had a certain little girl whom she had received from the font of holy baptism; for whom she poured forth prayers before the mercy of the Most High, that he would receive the child before herself, and that she might see the little girl buried. Which she also quickly obtained. For at the same hour the soul of the little girl departed from the body, and, as Blessed Bathild had requested, preceded her to the tomb. After this, signing herself confidently, she herself also dies, and raising her pious eyes and holy hands to heaven, she released that holy soul from the bond of the body in peace. And immediately a divine splendor most brilliantly flashed in that very chamber, and with that light, by the chorus of Angels, with the chamber divinely radiant and Saints appearing, with her most faithful friend, Bishop Genesius, coming to meet her -- who was seen by those present to have been glorious among the hosts of Angels -- that holy soul was received, and, as her great merit demanded, raised to heaven on the wings and in the hands of the same Angels, and she rejoices without end, to remain with all the elect and Saints.

[19] For a little while the Sisters who were present, and who were present at these divine mysteries, fell silent in groaning of grief with suppressed tears, as she had commanded, in silence, and they secretly informed only the Priests, who were to commend her most blessed soul to the Lord, although he had already received it. When the venerable Abbess Bertilla and the whole congregation immediately learned of her holy death, they began with great weeping to ask reproachfully why the departure of so great a mother and the hour of so blessed a soul had not been made known to them, so that they too might have been present at those mysteries in which the others said they had been present with a participation of light and the brightness of Angels. With great mourning of Bertilla and the Sisters. They also grieved with heavy sighing that she had been, as it were, not changed but snatched from them -- that desirable gem, most dear to all. And all being astonished, they at once prostrated themselves together upon the ground, and with many tears poured out there in immense groaning of grief, giving thanks to the good Lord and praising him, they commended her holy soul to Christ the King himself; that he, whom she had devoutly loved, might associate her in the fellowship of his holy mother, the Virgin Mary, whom she had served with heart and deed, and in the company of all the Saints whom she had honored. She is buried. And so, keeping fitting vigils as was most becoming, they placed her most blessed body in the church of the Holy Cross, which she herself had built from the foundations, and buried her there with merited honor and the greatest reverence. Then the venerable Abbess Bertilla, solicitous with a zeal for piety, prayer is offered for her, commended her to the holy Priests of the surrounding region, that her holy memory should be made continually in sacred prayers and offerings -- which is worthily celebrated to this day in various places. She left, therefore, a holy example to those who follow: the pursuit of humility and patience, meekness and most perfect love, and indeed the good of infinite charity and mercy, the shrewdness and vigilance of prudence, the confession of purity and contrition of heart. She also taught that no one should rashly or presumptuously decide anything, but that all things should be done with counsel, with a temperate and reasonable discourse of discretion, knowing what is written: "Do all things with counsel, and after the deed you will not repent." Sir. 32:24. This rule of goodness and this most holy example she left to her companions and to the blessed mothers; for which virtues of holy example she received from the Lord the crown of great reward stored up for her, and now she enjoys among the Angels before the sight of the Lord the promised sixtyfold reward of merit, which she desired by sowing and reaping, in immense and eternal joy.

[20] Therefore, to celebrate her sublime merits for the faithful, at the sacred tomb where her limbs rest, she is illustrious for miracles, God works many miracles through his handmaid, so that whoever comes there seized by fever, or vexed by a demon, or afflicted with toothache, or weighed down by the snare of other infirmities, and approaches with faith, immediately through divine power and her holy intercession, with whatever plague of disease driven away, returns healthy and unharmed in God's name. Which is known to have been recently manifested in a certain boy. For there came from the region of Provence a certain venerable man, Bishop Leudegangus, she cures one possessed by a demon, a most intimate friend of the monastery of Chelles. His boy was seized by a most savage demon, so that he could in no way be restrained by his companions unless his feet and hands were bound with the tightest knots, because in the excessive hardness of his savagery he would tear apart with his teeth and nails all whom he could touch. When he was carried by the hands of his companions to the place of the sacred tomb and cast upon the pavement as if half-dead, the most savage demon, immediately terrified by divine fear, became rigid and fell silent; and by the power of God, through the intercession of Blessed Bathild, he was at once put to flight and departed from him. And the boy, immediately rising and signing himself and giving thanks to God, returned safe and sound to his lord and companions. And he whom they had previously feared, lest he should assault them with his bites, they now embrace with sweet embraces and rejoice that he has been restored to life.

CHAPTER V.

Comparison of her with other holy Queens of the same family.

[21] We recall indeed that in the kingdom of the Franks there were certain noble Queens and worshippers of God: Clothilde, namely, niece of King Gundobad and wife of the great and ancient King Clovis, who so instructed the same very pagan King with true exhortations St. Bathild is compared with St. Clothilde that with his whole intention of mind, with the fervent warmth of faith, he converted himself to the worship of the Christian religion. And not only him, but, aided by divine grace, she also drew many of the Frankish nobles to the knowledge of Christ and the love of the Catholic faith. She also built a church at Paris in honor of St. Peter, where the religion of the monastic order should flourish; and she was the first to build a monastery in honor of St. George for sacred Virgins at Chelles. Which afterward, because the precinct of the little church was too narrow to hold the very large flock of nuns, was demolished by the oft-mentioned Lady Bathild, and a basilica was constructed with a very large extent of space. Its middle altar is consecrated in honor of the Holy Cross, the one on the right side in honor of St. George, and the one on the left is titled as consecrated in veneration of St. Stephen the Protomartyr. She also founded very many other places in honor of the Saints for the reward of eternal recompense, and enriched them with many gifts.

[22] In like manner it is reported of Queen Ultrogotha, wife of the most Christian King Childebert, Ultrogotha, that she was a nurse of orphans, a consoler of wards, a sustainer of the poor and of the servants of God, and a helper of faithful monks. St. Radegund. Rightly also is that memorable deed of the holy and venerable Queen Radegund proclaimed -- she who was the wife of the earlier King Lothar -- whom the grace of the Holy Spirit had so inflamed that she left her living husband and consecrated herself to Christ the Lord under the sacred veil, and performed many other things which are read in the accounts of her deeds.

[23] But although it may be desirable to consider what was done by those holy women, we must most especially return to our holy mother the Lady Bathild, who shone forth in our own times, and to her glorious merits, which we ourselves know and have seen performed by her. Of these we have here mentioned a few out of many; through which we do not think she was inferior in merits to those earlier Queens, but rather we have known her to have surpassed them by far in holy pursuits and good works -- she who, after many memorable works she performed, fulfilled the commandments of evangelical perfection. She despised the world and its lusts; she crushed the devil and his pomps; she followed Christ and his precepts; and so, truly a nun under the complete rule of religion, she happily completed a blessed life, when she died, and on the third day before the Kalends of February, forsaking earthly things and seeking heavenly things, she returned her blessed soul, clean and spotless, to the benign Jesus who had given it; and buried in peace, she rests in the monastery of Chelles and reigns in perpetual joy with the Lord, not unmindful, as we believe, of her faithful ones who desire truly to celebrate her praises.

[24] We, however, although not as we ought, have at least as we could endeavored to fulfill your command. Epilogue. Grant indulgence for the unskillfulness of our speech, and with charity pray to God for the faults of our negligence. Let us therefore, who are still pressed by the weight of the prison of the flesh, and burdened by the manifold weight of sins, and wander uncertain in the waves of this passing world, assiduously beg her help with pious devotion, that she may deign to intercede for us before the merciful Lord; so that, absolved from every stain of crime, she may lead us in her goodness to the heavenly kingdom, where there is unfailing glory, perpetual peace, eternal light with the Father and Son and Holy Spirit -- which he has prepared for those who love him. Amen.

ON THE TRANSLATION OF STS. BATHILD AND RADEGUND.

Bathild, Queen of Gaul (St.)

Ninth century.

[1] The body of St. Bathild was translated, and found intact, in the times of the Emperor Louis the Pious; and the relics of St. Radegund the Virgin were placed in the location where the remains of St. Bathild had previously been laid, Translation of St. Bathild, March 27, lest the old church of the Holy Cross built by Bathild should lack the heavenly protection of sacred relics. This Translation took place on the 6th day before the Kalends of April. On which day Benedict Dorganius, in his Calendar of the Saints of the Order of St. Benedict, records: "Translation of St. Bathild the Queen, and of Radegund her daughter, who had died in the seventh year of her age." He calls her "daughter," as the author of the Life calls her "goddaughter," because she had been received by Bathild from the baptismal font. On the same day Ferrari: "In the monastery of Chelles near Paris, the Translation of St. Bathild the Queen."

[2] On the following day Hugh Menard records that Translation: "In the monastery of Chelles," and the 28th of the same month, he says, "the Translation of St. Bathild, nun and Queen." And Saussay: "In the territory of Paris, at the monastery of Chelles, the Translation of the body of Blessed Bathild, Queen and nun, restorer of the same monastery."

[3] The same Saussay on March 17: "On the same day, in the territory of Paris, at the monastery of Chelles, another on the 17th of the same month, the Translation of St. Bathild the Queen, munificent foundress of the same monastery, and afterward a humble nun, and finally also its patroness." This seems to be a different Translation. For it is not likely that in the course of eight hundred years no new translation was made; indeed, since in that earlier translation the body was found intact, it is now enclosed separately from the head in a casket and placed in the altar, as was said above in section 6 from Binet, when we treated of St. Radegund.

[4] Again Saussay on the last day of December: "Likewise at the monastery of Chelles in the territory of Paris, Commemoration on December 31, the veneration of St. Bathild, from Queen of France become a nun, and foundress and patroness of this holy house." But he seems to have followed Ferrari, who recorded her on that day because the French Life had been placed after the Life of Pope St. Sylvester, as if out of order, with no day ascribed. But on February 26, Discovery on February 26, when the discovery and elevation of the sarcophagus occurred, no mention of her survives in the Martyrologies.

[5] The history of that Translation was drawn from an old manuscript by our John Gamansius. History of the Translation, The same history survives after the French Life, translated faithfully. Our Binet also treats of it; but he has a lapse of memory, for while he admits it occurred under Louis the Pious, he nevertheless asserts that her body was found twenty years after the Saint's death. He seems to have thought that Clovis III was the same person as the one called Louis the Pious, although the latter was the son of Charlemagne, proclaimed King of Gaul and Emperor of the Romans 120 years after the death of that Clovis. In what year of the Pious Emperor's reign that translation occurred is not entirely certain. The date. The body was found on the 4th before the Kalends of March, on a Wednesday; therefore, since the Dominical letter would have been E, this occurred in the leap year 816, or in 822, 833, or 839.

HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION

By an anonymous author, drawn from manuscripts by John Gamansius of the Society of Jesus.

Bathild, Queen of Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 0911

From manuscripts.

PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.

[4] And supported by the mercy of God, who is present to all who believe in him in truth she has the body of St. Bathild exhumed and in no way waver, she summoned the holy Priests and ordered them to dig up the tomb where the holy elect of God, Baltechildis, lay. They approached the tomb, as was fitting, with immense awe; and with great contrition of heart they began to dig. And when they cast the earth from the grave with mattocks, they found the sarcophagus where Blessed Baltechildis lay; and digging around it, she finds it entirely intact, they placed it above the surface of the ground. With immense reverence and awe, singing psalms to God, they opened the sarcophagus, and found the holy body, after the course of so many years, sound and unharmed, as though it had been committed to burial that very day. And the most sacred Abbess, giving thanks to God together with all the holy Priests and nuns, she venerates it, permitted all who were able to behold the desirable treasure and to adore it with the greatest reverence. Therefore, having adored the holy body, stretching their hands to heaven and beating their breasts from excessive joy, they returned to their homes, praising and glorifying God, who deigns to manifest to mortals on earth, by the display of signs, the rewards he bestows on the just in the heavens, according to their merit. While men and nuns persisted in the praises of vigils and psalmody in the church day and night before the holy body, it seemed good to the venerable Abbess Hegilwich she summons the Bishop of Paris to announce these things to the Bishop of the city of Paris, so that he himself, coming, might joyfully mingle his presence with these celebrations, and with the exultations of joy might personally transfer the venerable body to another church.

[5] While the arrival of the Bishop was delayed, and the holy body, as it had been exhumed, was worthily attended above the ground, divine mercy deigned to make manifest to all who were present how great a merit Blessed Baltechildis has among the hosts of the Saints -- she whom the divinity itself guarded amid the troubles and storms and debasements of the world, and placed among the citizens of heaven, in the seat of the spirits above. A sick woman is healed at the relics. For there was a certain nun in the same monastery, serving God from infancy, who was both worn with age in body and weighed down by excessive illness, so that, deprived of the function of all her limbs, she was carried on the supports and in the hands of servants. She was therefore brought with the help of the Sisters to the church where the holy Baltechildis lay, and cast herself in prayer; she prayed there long and much with tears. When her prayer was finished she immediately rose from the ground unharmed; and she who had previously been carried by others' hands, with her health restored, now returned on her own steps.

[6] A certain cripple named Baldrannus also, who was so bent by contraction of his limbs that his heels were joined to his buttocks, another, with contracted limbs, ordered himself to be carried before the body of St. Baltechildis, hoping that divine goodness, through the intercession of his holy handmaid, might deign to grant him the health of walking which he had never had. And because he had heard it said, "What you ask with a pure heart, without wavering, you shall immediately obtain," he prayed with childlike simplicity, and swiftly obtained his request. For the long-hardened rigidity of his sinews was stretched out, the veins received the flow of blood that had been denied them, and function was restored to his wasted limbs. It was wonderful to behold the knees which he had previously used in place of feet, and to see him standing, though tottering with the aid of a staff. The function of walking having been restored and confirmed, he returned joyfully to his little dwelling, glorifying God and St. Baltechildis. Behold your merit, blessed Mother: you who, when placed on earth, sustained and nourished the poor, now, reigning in heaven with Christ, you restore health to the sick. Then you nourished with food; now you restore limbs.

[7] All who were present, therefore, rejoiced in the holy miracles, and proclaimed these things to those absent throughout the neighboring places. In such celebrations, then, seventeen days completed their course. The Emperor bestows gifts. These sacred miracles were reported to Louis, the most serene Augustus; and they were spread abroad in the palace among the Princes and all who served the Emperor. Caesar exults, the Princes rejoice; all are glad and raise praises in honor of so great a Mother. Desiring to earn the grace of the holy and most blessed Baltechildis and to be aided by her assistance, he bestowed upon her, at the translation of her most holy body, the estate of Colon with all its entirety, situated in the territory of Meaux, so that from his earthly donation those serving in the same monastery might have support, and that they might beseech the heavenly King for the state and peace of his empire and for the health of his wife and sons.

[8] On the eighteenth day after the venerable body had been exhumed from the earth, at the request of the most sacred Abbess Helgilwich, the holy Bishop Erkanradus was summoned -- he who at that time governed the See of the city of Paris -- and came with a company of Clerics; the body of St. Bathild is transferred by the Bishop, for there had been no opportunity for coming before. Being honorably received by the same Abbess consecrated to God, he inquired lovingly about the reason for his summons, although he had already heard it. And seeing the most holy body, as it had been placed, intact; and perceiving the divine miracle in the restoration of health of the two, he was gladdened in heart and spirit, and gave thanks to the Almighty Lord, who grants to human eyes the sight of how great a merit those have in heaven who have always loved him with a pure and clean heart and have faithfully loved him, adhering to his footsteps. With the entire order of Clerics, therefore, and the close guard of the sacred Virgins, after the celebration of the holy Masses, the aforesaid Bishop came before the holy body and gave himself with all to prayer; and he urged all to beseech God, who had fashioned man in his own image, that he would be their helper and would grant them to transfer the holy body of his most faithful one from that place. When the prayer was completed, they at once touched the venerable body and with divine praises carried it into the church of the Mother of God and our Lord Jesus Christ and ever-Virgin St. Mary, which the Lady Gisla had built from the foundations, and worthily placed it behind the middle altar. She is illustrious with miracles. And there divine miracles are worked daily through the merits of Blessed Baltechildis, and her blessed merits are continually declared. There the blind receive sight, the deaf hearing, the lame their step, and those suffering from infirmities and various fevers receive health. There demoniacs are cured, and, so to speak, through the intercession of the most blessed Baltechildis, all whosoever devoutly beseech her for any need obtain a swift effect.

[9] Moreover, as the Bishop of the city of Paris was returning to his own with joy and exultation, the venerable Abbess took counsel with herself, lest the place where the holy body of Baltechildis had been laid should be left empty. With divine grace administering her counsel, she judged it fitting that, since the mother had been taken away from there, her daughter, who had departed this world in the seventh year of her age, named Radegund, Radegund is translated, should be placed there. For her indeed, as we find in her holy Life, before the hour of her death she had petitioned God that the child might precede her in death. For she foresaw in the spirit the evils of the world, and therefore prayed that she might not be ensnared by its nets; but that, just as he had given a pure soul in so tiny a body, he would likewise receive it back without the stain of sin, and would place it among the hosts of the holy Virgins to abide forever. Deservedly, moreover, the venerable Abbess Helgilwich is to be praised in these matters and held in worthy honor by all who read this; for divine mercy placed it in her heart not to leave the pearl longer hidden and covered in the earth, but to show it, dug out from the ground, to all, and to place it in such a place as is seen, where her praise might remain forever and ever. The day of the translation of the holy and venerable Baltechildis is celebrated on the 6th day before the Kalends of April -- she who, despising the devil and his pomps, joined herself to Christ and his Saints; and therefore she reigns with God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in perfect Trinity and unity in the heavens -- him whom she loved with all devotion on earth. Amen.