The History of the Franks

King Guntram visited the city of Orleans and was greeted by cheering crowds of Gallo-Romans, Jews, and “Syrians” (which may be Gregory’s generic term for people from the eastern Mediterranean region). However, according to Gregory, Guntram scoffed at the Jews’ welcome, saying, “They sang my praises in this flattering way today, calling upon all peoples to submit to me as their overlord, in the hope that I should give an order that their synagogue, which was destroyed some time ago by the Christians, should be rebuilt from public funds. This I will never do, for it is contrary to the Lord’s will” (433).

Later, Guntram met with Gregory and had a meal with him. Guntram also held a council of bishops and scolded those, like Bishop Bertram of Bordeaux, who supported Gundovald while asking that they support his chosen heir, Childebert. After the meeting, Gregory asked Guntram to pardon those who had sided with Gundovald and sought refuge in Gregory’s church like Count Garachar of Bordeaux. Guntram harshly rebuked them, but eventually forgave them and restored them to their positions.

At Paris, Guntram gave a speech in which he expressed doubt that King

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