CHAPTER 27: The king refuses the price set upon Wilfrid
CHAPTER 27
The king refuses the price set upon Wilfrid
AT that time Ebroin, one of the dukes of Theodoric, king of the Franks, sent messengers with letters for Aldgisl, greeting him with words of peace and promising on oath a full bushel of gold solidi – a foul offer indeed – if he would send Wilfrid to him alive, or slay him and send his head. The king had the letter read out for all to hear, including ourselves and the messengers, who were feasting with his people in the palace at the time. When it had been read out he took the scroll and tore it up for all to see and threw the pieces on to a fire blazing in front of him. He gave the bearers this message: ‘Tell your lord what you now hear me say: Thus may the Creator of all things rend and destroy the life and lands of him who perjures himself before God and breaks the pact he has made. Even thus may he be torn to pieces and burn to ashes.’
The messengers left in confusion at the king’s refusal to countenance the crime, and returned to their master.