Wk7
Ammianus Marcellinus (330-395 CE):
The Battle of Hadrianopolis, 378 CE
At this time Valens was disturbed by a twofold anxiety, having learned that the people of Lintz
had been defeated, and also because Sebastian, in the letters which he sent from time to time,
exaggerated what had taken place by his pompous language. Therefore he advanced from
Melanthias, being eager by some glorious exploit to equal his youthful nephew, by whose virtue
he was greatly excited. He was at the head of a numerous force, neither unwarlike nor
contemptible, and had united with them many veteran bands, among whom were several officers
of high rank, especially Trajan, who a little while before had been commander of the forces. And
as by means of spies and observation it was ascertained that the enemy were intending to
blockade the different roads by which the necessary supplies must come, with strong divisions,
he sent a sufficient force to prevent this, despatching a body of the archers of the infantry and a
squadron of cavalry, with all speed, to occupy the narrow passes in the neighborhood.
Three days afterwards, when the barbarians [the Visigoths], who were advancing slowly,
because they feared an attack in the unfavorable ground which they were traversing, arrived
within fifteen miles from the station of Nike, which was the aim of their march, the emperor,
with wanton impetuosity, resolved on attacking them instantly, because those who had been sent
forward to reconnoiter---what led to such a mistake is unknown---affirmed that their entire body
did not exceed ten thousand men. Marching on with his army in battle array, Valens came near
the suburb of Hadrianopolis, where he pitched his camp, strengthening it with a rampart of
palisades, and then impatiently waited for [the emperor] Gratian. While here, Ricimer, Comes of
the Domestici, arrived, who had been sent on by that emperor with letters announcing his
immediate approach. And imploring Valens to wait a little while for him that he might share his
danger, and not rashly face the danger before him single-handed, he took counsel with his
officers as to what was best to be done.
Some, following the advice of Sebastian, recommended with urgency that he should at once go
forth to battle; while Victor, master-general of the cavalry, a Sarmatian by birth, but a man of
slow and cautious temper, recommended him to wait for his imperial colleague, and this advice
was supported by several other officers, who suggested that the reinforcement of the Gallic army
would be likely to awe the fiery arrogance of the barbarians. However, the fatal obstinacy of the
emperor prevailed, fortified by the flattery of some of the princes, who advised him to hasten
with all speed, so that Gratian might have no share in a victory which, as they fancied, was
already almost gained.
And, while all necessary preparations were being made for the battle, a presbyter of the Christian
religion (as he called himself), having been sent by Fritigern [King of the Visigoths] as his
ambassador, came, with some colleagues of low rank, to the emperor's camp; and having been
received with courtesy, he presented a letter from that chieftain, openly requesting that the
emperor would grant to him and to his followers, who were now exiles from their native homes,
from which they had been driven by the rapid invasions of savage nations, Thrace, with all its
flocks and all its crops, for a habitation. And if Valens would consent to this, Fritigern would
agree to a perpetual truce. In addition to this same message, the same Christian, as one
acquainted with his commander's secrets, and well-trusted, produced other secret letters from his
chieftain who, being full of craft and every resource of deceit, informed Valens, as one who was
hereafter to be his friend and ally, that he had no other means to appease the ferocity of his
countrymen, or to induce them to accept conditions advantageous to the Roman state, unless
from time to time he showed them an army under arms close at hand, and by frightening them
with the name of the emperor, recalled them from their mischievous eagerness for fighting. The
ambassadors retired unsuccessful, having been looked on as suspicious characters by the
emperor.
When the day broke which the annals mark as the fifth of the Ides of August, the Roman
standards were advanced with haste, the baggage having been placed close to the walls of
Hadrianopolis, under a sufficient guard of soldiers of the legions; the treasures and the chief
insignia of the emperor's ranks were within the walls, with the prefect and the principal members
of the council. Then, having traversed the broken ground which divided the two armies, as the
burning day was progressing towards noon, at last, after marching eight miles, our men came in
sight of the wagons of the enemy, which had been stated by the scouts to be all arranged in a
circle. According to their custom, the barbarian host raised a fierce and hideous yell, while the
Roman generals marshaled their line of battle. The right wing of the cavalry was placed in front;
the chief portion of the infantry was kept in reserve. But the left wing of the cavalry, of which a
considerable number were still straggling on the road, were advancing with speed, though with
great difficulty; and while this wing was deploying, not as yet meeting with any obstacle, the
barbarians being alarmed at the terrible clang of their arms and the threatening crash of their
shields (since a large portion of their own army was still at a distance, under Alatheus and
Saphrax, and, though sent for, had not yet arrived), again sent ambassadors to ask for peace.
The emperor was offended at the lowness of their rank, and replied, that if they wished to make a
lasting treaty, they must send him nobles of sufficient dignity. They designedly delayed, in order
by the fallacious truce which subsisted during the negotiation to give time for their cavalry to
return, whom they looked upon as close at hand; and for our soldiers, already suffering from the
summer heat, to become parched and exhausted by the conflagration of the vast plain; as the
enemy had, with this object, set fire to the crops by means of burning faggots and fuel. To this
evil another was added, that both men and cattle were suffering from extreme hunger.
In the meantime Fritigern, being skillful in divining the future, and fearing a doubtful struggle, of
his own head sent one of his men as a herald, requesting that some nobles and picked men should
at once be sent to him as hostages for his safety, when he himself would fearlessly bring us both
military aid and supplies. The proposition of this formidable chief was received with praise and
approbation, and the tribune Equitius, a relation of Valens, who was at that time high steward of
the palace, was appointed, with general consent, to go with all speed to the barbarians as a
hostage. But he refused, because he had once been taken prisoner by the enemy, and had escaped
from Dibaltum, so that he feared their vengeful anger; upon this Ricimer voluntarily offered
himself, and willingly undertook to go, thinking it a bold action, and one becoming a brave man;
and so he set out, bearing vouchers of his rank and high birth.
And as he was on his way towards the enemy's camp, the accompanying archers and Scutarii,
who on that occasion were under the command of Bacurius, a native of Iberia, and of Cassio,
yielded, while on their march, to an indiscreet impetuosity, and on approaching the enemy, first
attacked them rashly, and then by a cowardly flight disgraced the beginning of the campaign.
This ill-timed attack frustrated the willing services of Ricimer, as he was not permitted to
proceed; in the meantime the cavalry of the Goths had returned with Alatheus and Saphrax, and
with them a battalion of Alans; these descending from the mountains like a thunderbolt, spread
confusion and slaughter among all whom in their rapid charge they came across.
And while arms and missiles of all kinds were meeting in fierce conflict, and Bellona, blowing
her mournful trumpet, was raging more fiercely than usual, to inflict disaster on the Romans, our
men began to retreat; but presently, roused by the reproaches of their officers, they made a fresh
stand, and the battle increased like a conflagration, terrifying our soldiers, numbers of whom
were pierced by strokes from the javelins hurled at them, and from arrows. Then the two lines of
battle dashed against each other, like the beaks of ships, and thrusting with all their might, were
tossed to and fro, like the waves of the sea. Our left wing had advanced actually up to the
wagons, with the intent to push on still further if they were properly supported; but they were
deserted by the rest of the cavalry, and so pressed upon by the superior numbers of the enemy,
that they were overwhelmed and beaten down, like the ruin of a vast rampart. Presently our
infantry also was left unsupported, while the different companies became so huddled together
that a soldier could hardly draw his sword, or withdraw his hand after he had once stretched it
out. And by this time such clouds of dust arose that it was scarcely possible to see the sky, which
resounded with horrible cries; and in consequence, the darts, which were bearing death on every
side, reached their mark, and fell with deadly effect, because no one could see them beforehand
so as to guard against them.
But when the barbarians, rushing on with their enormous host, beat down our horses and men,
and left no spot to which our ranks could fall back to deploy, while they were so closely packed
that it was impossible to escape by forcing a way through them, our men at last began to despise
death, and again took to their swords and slew all they encountered, while with mutual blows of
battle-axes, helmets and breastplates were dashed in pieces. Then you might see the barbarian
towering in his fierceness, hissing or shouting, fall with his legs pierced through, or his right
hand cut off, sword and all, or his side transfixed, and still, in the last gasp of life, casting round
him defiant glances. The plain was covered with carcasses, strewing the mutual ruin of the
combatants; while the groans of the dying, or of men fearfully wounded, were intense, and
caused great dismay all around.
Amidst all this great tumult and confusion our infantry were exhausted by toil and danger, until
at last they had neither strength left to fight, nor spirits to plan anything; their spears were broken
by the frequent collisions, so that they were forced to content themselves with their drawn
swords, which they thrust into the dense battalions of the enemy, disregarding their own safety,
and seeing that every possibility of escape was cut off from them. The ground, covered with
streams of blood, made their feet slip, so that all they endeavored to do was to sell their lives as
dearly as possible; and with such vehemence did they resist their enemies who pressed on them,
that some were even killed by their own weapons. At last one black pool of blood disfigured
everything, and wherever the eye turned, it could see nothing but piled up heaps of dead, and
lifeless corpses trampled on without mercy.
The sun being now high in the heavens, having traversed the sign of Leo, and reached the abode
of the heavenly Virgo, scorched the Romans, who were emaciated by hunger, worn out with toil,
and scarcely able to support even the weight of their armor. At last our columns were entirely
beaten back by the overpowering weight of the barbarians, and so they took to disorderly flight,
which is the only resource in extremity, each man trying to save himself as well as he could.
While they were all flying and scattering themselves over roads with which they were
unacquainted, the emperor, bewildered with terrible fear, made his way over heaps of dead, and
fled to the battalions of the Lanccarii and the Mattiarii, who, until the superior numbers of the
enemy became wholly irresistible, stood firm and immovable. As soon as he saw him, Trajan
exclaimed that all hope was lost, unless the emperor, thus deserted by his guards, could be
protected by the aid of his foreign allies.
When this exclamation was heard, a comes names Victor hastened to bring up with all speed the
Batavians, who were placed in the reserve, and who ought to have been near at hand, to the
emperor's assistance; but as none of them could be found, he too retreated, and in a similar
manner Ricimer and Saturninus saved themselves from danger. So now, with rage flashing in
their eyes, the barbarians pursued our men, who were in a state of torpor, the warmth of their
veins having deserted them. Many were slain without knowing who smote them; some were
overwhelmed by the mere weight of the crowd which pressed upon them; and some were slain
by wounds inflicted by their own comrades. The barbarians spared neither those who yielded nor
those who resisted. Besides these, many half-slain lay blocking up the roads, unable to endure
the torture of their wounds; and heaps of dead horses were piled up and filled the plain with their
carcasses. At last a dark moonless night put an end to the irremediable disaster which cost the
Roman state so dear.
Just when it first became dark, the emperor being among a crowd of common soldiers, as it was
believed---for no one said either that he had seen him, or been near him---was mortally wounded
with an arrow, and, very shortly after, died, though his body was never found. For as some of the
enemy loitered for a long time about the field in order to plunder the dead, none of the defeated
army or of the inhabitants ventured to go to them. A similar fate befell the Caesar Decius, when
fighting vigorously against the barbarians; for he was thrown by his horse falling, which he had
been unable to hold, and was plunged into a swamp, out of which he could never emerge, nor
could his body be found. Others report that Valens did not die immediately, but that he was
borne by a small body of picked soldiers and eunuchs to a cabin in the neighborhood, which was
strongly built, with two stories; and that while these unskillful hands were tending his wounds,
the cottage was surrounded by the enemy, though they did not know who was in it; still,
however, he was saved from the disgrace of being made a prisoner.
For when his pursuers, while vainly attempting to force the barred doors, were assailed with
arrows from the roof, they, not to lose by so inconvenient a delay the opportunity of collecting
plunder, gathered some faggots and stubble, and setting fire to them, burnt down the building,
with those who were in it. But one of the prisoners dropped from the windows, and, being taken
prisoner by the barbarians, revealed to them what had taken place, which caused them great
concern, because they looked upon themselves as defrauded of great glory in not having taken
the ruler of the Roman state alive. This same young man afterwards secretly returned to our
people, and gave this account of the affair. When Spain had been recovered after a similar
disaster, we are told that one of the Scipios was lost in a fire, the tower in which he had taken
refuge having been burnt. At all events it is certain that neither Scipio nor Valens enjoyed that
last honor of the dead---a regular funeral.
Many illustrious men fell in this disastrous defeat, and among them one of the most remarkable
was Trajan, and another was Sebastian; there perished also thirty-five tribunes who had no
particular command, many captains of battalions, and Valerianus and Equitius, one of whom was
Master of the Horse and the other High Steward. Potentius, too, tribune of the promoted officers,
fell in the flower of his age, a man respected by all persons of virtue, and recommended by the
merits of his father, Ursicinus, who had formerly been commander of the forces, as well as by his
own. Scarcely one-third of the whole army escaped. Nor, except the battle of Cannae, is so
destructive a slaughter recorded in our annals; though, even in the times of their prosperity, the
Romans have more than once had to deplore the uncertainty of war, and have for a time
succumbed to evil Fortune; while the well-known dirges of the Greeks have bewailed many
disastrous battles.
Such was the death of Valens, when he was about fifty years old, and had reigned rather less than
fourteen years. We will now describe his virtues, which were known to many, and his vices. He
was a faithful and steady friend---a severe chastiser of ambition---a rigid upholder of both
military and civil discipline---always careful that no one should assume importance on account
of any relationship to himself; slow both in conferring office, and in taking it away; a very just
ruler of the provinces, all of which he was protected from injury, as if each had been his own
house; devoting singular care to the lessening the burdens of the state, but a vehement and
implacable foe to all thieves, and to everyone convicted of peculations; nor in affairs of this kind
was the East, by its own confession, ever better treated under any other emperor. Besides all this,
he was liberal with due regard to moderation, of which quality there are many example, one of
which it will be sufficient to mention here: As in palaces there are always some persons covetous
of the possessions of others, if anyone petitioned for lapsed property, or anything else which it
was usual to apply for, he made a proper distinction between just and unjust claims, and when he
gave it to the petitioner, while reserving full liberty to anyone to raise objections, he often
associated the successful candidate with three or four partners, in order that those covetous
suitors might conduct themselves with more moderation, when they saw the profits for which
they were so eager diminished by this device.
Of the edifices, which in the different cities and towns he either repaired or built from their
foundations, I will say nothing (to avoid prolixity), allowing those things to speak for
themselves. These qualities, in my opinion, deserve the imitation of all good men. Now let us
enumerate his vices. He was an immoderate covetor of great wealth; impatient of labor, he
affected an extreme severity, and was too much inclined to cruelty; his behavior was rude and
rough; and he was little imbued with skill either in war or in the liberal arts. He willingly sought
profit and advantage in the miseries of others, and was more than ever intolerable in straining
ordinary offences into sedition or treason; he cruelly encompassed the death or ruin of many
nobles. This also was unendurable, that while he wished to have it appear that all actions and
suits were decided according to the law, and while the investigation of such affairs was delegated
to judges especially selected as the most proper to decide them, he still would not allow any
decision to be given which was contrary to his own pleasure. He was also insulting, passionate,
and always willing to listen to all informers, without the least distinction as to whether the
charges they advanced were true or false. And this vice is one very much to be dreaded, even in
private affairs of everyday occurrence.
He was dilatory and sluggish; of a swarthy complexion; had a cast in one eye, a blemish,
however, which was not visible at a distance; his limbs were well set; his figure was neither tall
nor short; he was knock-kneed, and rather pot-bellied. This is enough to say about Valens: and
the recollection of his contemporaries will fully testify that this account is a true one. But we
must not omit to mention that when he had learnt that the oracle of the tripod [Delphi], which we
related to have been moved by Patricius and Hilanus, contained those three prophetic lines, the
last of which is "Repelling murd'rous war in Mimas' plain;" -- he, being void of accomplishments
and illiterate, despised them at first; but as his calamities increased, he became filled with abject
fear, and, from a recollection of this same prophecy, began to dread the very name of Asia,
where he had been informed by learned men that both Homer and Cicero had spoken of the
Mountain of Mimas over the town of Erythrae. Lastly, after his death, and the departure of the
enemy, it is said that a monument was found near the spot where he is believed to have died,
with a stone fixed into it inscribed with Greek characters, indicating that some ancient noble of
the name of Mimas was buried there.
After this disastrous battle, when night had veiled the earth in darkness, those who survived fled,
some to the right, some to the left, or wherever fear guided them, each man seeking refuge
among his relations, as no one could think of anything but himself, while all fancied the lances of
the enemy sticking in their backs. And far off were heard the miserable wailing of those who
were left behind--the sobs of the dying, and the agonizing groans of the wounded. But when
daylight returned, the conquerors, like wild beasts rendered still more savage by the blood they
had tasted, and allured by the temptations of groundless hope, marched in a dense column upon
Hadrianopolis, resolved to run any risk in order to take it, having been informed by traitors and
deserters that the principal officers of state, the insignia of the imperial authority, and the
treasures of Valens had all been placed there for safety, as in an impregnable fortress.
And to prevent the ardor of the soldiers from being cooled by delay, the whole city was
blockaded by the fourth hour; and the siege from that time was carried on with great vigor, the
besiegers, from their innate ferocity, pressing in to complete its destruction, while, on the other
hand, the garrison was stimulated to great exertions by their natural courage. . . .
Source:
From:
Ammianus Marcellinus, The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus During the Reigns of The
Emperors Constantius, Julian, Jovianus, Valentinian, and Valens, trans. C. D. Yonge (London:
G. Bell & Sons, 1911), pp. 609-618.
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton. Prof. Arkenberg has
modernized the text.
Procopius of Caesarea:
Alaric's Sack of Rome, 410 CE
History of the Wars [written c. 550 CE], III.ii.7-39
But the Visigoths, separating from the others, removed from there and at first entered into an
alliance with the Emperor Arcadius, but at a later time (for faith with the Romans cannot dwell
in barbarians), under the leadership of Alaric, they became hostile to both emperors, and,
beginning with Thrace, treated all Europe as an enemy's land. Now the emperor Honorius had
before this time been sitting in Rome, with never a thought of war in his mind, but glad, I think, if
men allowed him to remain quiet in his palace. But when word was brought that the barbarians
with a great army were not far off, but somewhere among the Taulantii (in Illyricum), he
abandoned the palace and fled in disorderly fashion to Ravenna, a strong city lying just about at
the end of the Ionian Gulf, while some say that he brought in the barbarians himself, because an
uprising had been started against him among his subjects; but this does not seem to me
trustworthy, as far, at least, as one can judge of the character of the man. And the barbarians,
finding that they had no hostile force to encounter them, became the most cruel of all men. For
they destroyed all the cities which they captured, especially those south of the Ionian Gulf, so
completely that nothing has been left to my time to know them by, unless, indeed, it might be one
tower or one gate or some such thing which chanced to remain. And they killed all the people, as
many as came in their way, both old and young alike, sparing neither women nor children.
Wherefore, even up to the present time Italy is sparsely populated. They also gathered as plunder
all the money out of all Europe, and, most important of all, they left in Rome nothing whatever of
public or private wealth when they moved on to Gaul. But I shall now tell how Alaric captured
Rome.
After much time had been spent by him in the siege, and he had not been able either by force or
by any other device to capture the place, he formed the following plan. Among the youths in the
army whose beards had not yet grown, but who had just come of age, he chose out three hundred
whom he knew to be of good birth and possessed of valor beyond their years, and told them
secretly that he was about to make a present of them to certain of the patricians in Rome,
pretending that they were slaves. And he instructed them that, as soon as they got inside the
houses of those men, they should display much gentleness and moderation and serve them
eagerly in whatever tasks should be laid upon them by their owners; and he further directed
them that not long afterwards, on an appointed day at midday, when all those who were to be
their masters would most likely be already asleep after their meal, they should all come to the
gate called Salarian and with a sudden rush kill the guards, who would have no previous
knowledge of the plot, and open the gates as quickly as possible. After giving these orders to the
youths, Alaric straightway sent ambassadors to the members of the senate, stating that he
admired them for their loyalty toward their emperor, and that he would trouble them no longer,
because of their valor and faithfulness, with which it was plain that they were endowed to a
remarkable degree, and in order that tokens of himself might be preserved among men both
noble and brave, he wished to present each one of them with some domestics.
After making this declaration and sending the youths no long afterwards, he commanded the
barbarians to make preparations for the departure, and he let this be known to the Romans. And
they heard his words gladly, and receiving the gifts began to be exceedingly happy, since they
were completely ignorant of the plot of the barbarians. For the youths, by being unusually
obedient to their owners, averted suspicion, and in the camp some were already seen moving
from their positions and raising the siege, while it seemed that the others were just on the point
of doing the very same thing. But when the appointed day had come, Alaric armed his whole
force for the attack and was holding them in readiness close by the Salarian Gate; for it
happened that he had encamped there at the beginning of the siege. And all the youths at the
time of the day agreed upon came to this gate, and, assailing the guards suddenly, put them to
death; then they opened the gates and received Alaric and the army into the city at their leisure.
And they set fire to the houses which were next to the gate, among which was also the house of
Sallust, who in ancient times wrote the history of the Romans, and the greater part of this house
has stood half-burned up to my time; and after plundering the whole city and destroying the most
of the Romans, they moved on.
At that time they say that the Emperor Honorius in Ravenna received the message from one of
the eunuchs, evidently a keeper of the poultry, that Rome had perished. And he cried out and
said, "And yet it has just eaten from my hands!" For he had a very large cock, Roma by name;
and the eunuch comprehending his words said that it was the city of Rome which had perished at
the hands of Alaric, and the emperor with a sigh of relief answered quickly, "But I, my good
fellow, thought that my fowl Roma had perished." So great, they say, was the folly with which
this emperor was possessed. But some say that Rome was not captured in this way by Alaric, but
that Proba, a woman of very unusual eminence in wealth and in fame among the Roman
senatorial class, felt pity for the Romans who were being destroyed by hunger and the other
suffering they endured; for they were already even tasting each other's flesh; and seeing that
every good hope had left them, since both the river and the harbor were held by the enemy, she
commanded her domestics, they say, to open the gates by night.
Now when Alaric was about to depart from Rome, he declared Attalus, one of their nobles,
emperor of the Romans, investing him with the diadem and the purple and whatever else pertains
to the imperial dignity. And he did this with the intention of removing Honorius from his throne
and of giving over the whole power in the West to Attalus. With such a purpose, then, both
Attalus and Alaric were going with a great army against Ravenna. But this Attalus was neither
able to think wisely by himself, nor to be persuaded by one who had wisdom to offer. So while
Alaric did not by any means approve the plan, Attalus sent commanders to Libya without an
army. Thus then, were these things going on.
And the island of Britannia revolted from the Romans, and the soldiers there chose as their
emperor Constantinus, a man of no mean station. And he straightway gathered a fleet of ships
and a formidable army and invaded both Spain and Gaul with a great force, thinking to enslave
these countries. But Honorius was holding ships in readiness and waiting to see what would
happen in Libya, in order that, if those sent by Attalus were repulsed, he might himself sail for
Libya and keep some portion of his own kingdom, while if matters there should go against him,
he might reach Theodosius [Theodosius II, Emperor in the East, 408-450 A.D.] and remain with
him. For Arcadius had already died long before, and his son Theodosius, still a very young child,
held the power of the East. But while Honorius was thus anxiously awaiting the outcome of these
events and tossed amid the billows of uncertain fortune, it so chanced that some wonderful
pieces of good fortune befell him. For God is accustomed to succor those who are neither clever
nor able to devise anything of themselves, and to lend them assistance, if they be not wicked,
when they are in the last extremity of despair; such a thing, indeed, befell this emperor. For it
was suddenly reported from Libya that the commanders of Attalus had been destroyed, and that
a host of ships was at hand from Byzantium with a very great number of soldiers who had come
to assist him, though he had not expected them, and that Alaric, having quarreled with Attalus,
had stripped him of the emperor's garb and was now keeping him under guard in the position of
a private citizen.
And afterwards Alaric died of disease, and the army of the Visigoths under the leadership of
Adaulphus proceeded into Gaul, and Constantinus, defeated in battle, died with his sons.
However, the Romans never succeeded in recovering Britannia, but it remained from that time
on under tyrants.
Source:
From: Procopius, History of the Wars, 7 vols., trans. H. B. Dewing (Cambridge, Mass., and
London: Harvard University Press & Wm. Heinemann, 1914; reprint ed., 1953-54), II.11-23.
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton. Prof. Arkenberg has
modernized the text.
The Qu'ran - 1, 47
The Qur'an [or Koran], is a collection of the speeches made by Muhammad, remembered by his
followers, and collected, written down and edited after his death. For Muslims Muhammad is in
no way the author of the Qur'an, which is understood as the direct word of God given to
Muhammad. Although scholars have some idea of the order of the speeches, the standard text is
organized in a remarkable way. Divided into chapters, or surahs , after the first - short - surah,
each surah is arranged according to length, the longest coming first. Muslims' early education
often consists in learning large parts of the Qur'an and so this arrangement presents little
difficulty. For new readers it can make the text somwhat confusing. The message of Muhammad,
however, was not difficult to grasp - stark and absolute monotheism, the evil of sin, the
revelation of God in the Qur'an and through Muhammad, and the creation of a new Muslim
community. This message is repeated throughout the Qur'an. Given here, from the text translated
by Maulvi Sher Ali, edited by Malik Ghulam Farid, and made available on the internet, are
Surah 1, and Surah 47.
Surah 1
1: 1. In the name of ALLAH, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1: 2. All praise is due to ALLAH alone, Lord of all the worlds.
1: 3. The Gracious, the Merciful.
1: 4. Master of the Day of Judgment.
1: 5. THEE alone do we worship and THEE alone do we implore for help.
1: 6. Guide us in the straight path,
1: 7. The path of those on whom THOU hast bestowed THY favours, those who have not
incurred THY displeasure and those who have not gone astray.
Surah 47
47: 1. In the name of ALLAH, the Gracious, the Merciful.
47: 2. Those who disbelieve and hinder men from the way of ALLAH - HE renders their works
vain.
47: 3. But as for those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in that which has been
revealed to Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - HE removes from them their sins
and sets right their affairs.
47: 4. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood while those who believe follow the
truth from their Lord. Thus does ALLAH set forth for men their lessons by similitudes.
47: 5. And when you meet in regular battle those who disbelieve, smite their necks; and, when
you have overcome them, by causing great slaughter among them, bind fast the fetters - then
afterwards either release them as a favour or by taking ransom - until the war lays down its
burdens. That is the ordinance. And if ALLAH had so pleased, HE could have punished them
Himself, but HE has willed that HE may try some of you by others. And those who are killed in
the way of ALLAH - HE will never render their works vain.
47: 6. HE will guide them to success and will improve their condition.
47: 7. And will admit them into the Garden which HE has made known to them.
47: 8. O ye who believe ! if you help the cause of ALLAH, HE will help you and will make your
steps firm.
47: 9. But those who disbelieve, perdition is their lot; and HE will make their works vain.
47: 10. That is because they hate what ALLAH has revealed; so HE has made their works vain.
47: 11. Have they not traveled in the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before
them ? ALLAH utterly destroyed them, and for the disbelievers there will be the like thereof.
47: 12. That is because ALLAH is the Protector of those who believe, and the disbelievers have
no protector.
47: 13. Verily, ALLAH will cause those who believe and do good works to enter the Gardens
underneath which streams flow; While those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat even as
the cattle eat, and the Fire will be their last resort.
47: 14. And how many a township, mightier than thy town which has driven thee out, have WE
destroyed, and they had no helper.
47: 15. Then, is he who takes his stand upon a clear proof from his Lord like those to whom the
evil of their deeds is made to look attractive and who follow their low desires ?
47: 16. A description of the Garden promised to the righteous: Therein are streams of water
which corrupts not; and streams of milk of which the taste changes not; and streams of wine, a
delight to those who drink; and streams of clarified honey. And in it they will have all kinds of
fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. Can those who enjoy such bliss be like those who abide in
the Fire and who are given boiling water to drink so that it tears their bowels ?
47: 17. And among them are some who seems to listen to thee till, when they go forth from thy
presence, they say to those who have been given knowledge, `What has he been talking about
just now ?' These are they upon whose hearts ALLAH has set a seal, and who follow their own
evil desires.
47: 18. But as for those who follow guidance, HE adds to their guidance, and bestows on them
righteousness suited to their condition.
47: 19. The disbelievers wait not but for the Hour, that it should come upon them suddenly. The
Signs thereof have already come. But of what avail will their admonition be to them when it has
actually come upon them.
47: 20. Know, therefore, that there is no god other than ALLAH, and ask protection for thy
human frailties, and for believing men and believing women. And ALLAH knows the place
where you move about and the place where you stay.
47: 21. And those who believe say, `Why is not a Surah revealed ?' But when a decisive Surah is
revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease, looking
towards thee like the look of one who is fainting on account of approaching death. So woe to
them !
47: 22. Their attitude should have been one of obedience and of calling people to good. And
when the matter was determined upon, it was good for them if they were true to ALLAH.
47: 23. Would you not then, if you are placed in authority, create disorder in the land and sever
your ties of kinship ?
47: 24. It is these whom ALLAH has cursed, so that HE has made them deaf and has made their
eyes blind.
47: 25. Will they not, then, ponder over the Qur'an, or, is it that there are locks on their hearts ?
47: 26. Surely, those who turn their backs after guidance has become manifest to them, Satan has
seduced them and holds out false hopes to them.
47: 27. That is because they said to those who hate what ALLAH has revealed, `We will obey
you in some matters, and ALLAH knows their secrets.
47: 28. But how will they fare when the angels will cause them to die, smiting their faces and
their backs ?
47: 29. That is because they followed that which displeased ALLAH, and disliked the seeking of
HIS pleasure. So HE rendered their works vain.
47: 30. Do those in whose hearts is a disease suppose that ALLAH will not bring to light their
malice ?
47: 31. And if WE pleased, WE could show them to thee so that thou shouldst know them by
their marks. And thou shalt, surely, recognize them by the tone of their speech. And ALLAH
knows your deeds.
47: 32. And WE will, surely, try you, until WE make manifest those among you who strive for
the cause of ALLAH and those who are steadfast. And WE will make known the true facts about
you.
47: 33. Those, who disbelieve and hinder men from the way of ALLAH and oppose the
Messenger after guidance has become manifest to them, shall not harm ALLAH in the least; and
HE will make their works fruitless.
47: 34. O ye who believe ! obey ALLAH and obey the Messenger and make not your works
vain.
47: 35. Verily, those who disbelieve and hinder people from the way of ALLAH, and then die
while they are disbelievers - ALLAH certainly, will not forgive them.
47: 36. So be not slack and sue not for peace, for you will, certainly, have the upper hand. And
ALLAH is with you, and HE will not deprive you of the reward of your actions.
47: 37. The life of this world is but a sport and a pastime, and if you believe and be righteous,
HE will give you your rewards, and will not ask of you your wealth.
47: 38. Were HE to ask it of you and press you, you would be niggardly, and HE would bring to
light your malice.
47: 39. Behold ! You are those who are called upon to spend in the way of ALLAH; but of you
there are some who are niggardly. And whoso is niggardly, is niggardly only against his own
soul. And ALLAH is Self-Sufficient, and it is you who are needy. And if you turn your backs,
HE will bring in your place another people; then they will not be like you.
This text is part of the Internet Medieval Source Book. The Sourcebook is a collection of public
domain and copy-permitted texts related to medieval and Byzantine history.
The Conversion of Clovis: Two Accounts, 496
Davis Introduction: In 496 A.D. Chlodovocar (Clovis, or Louis), the founder of the Frankish
power which was to develop into modern France and Germany, was converted to Catholic
Christianity from heathenism. This was an event of high historical importance. If, like other
Germanic kings, he had become an Arian heretic, he would have been hopelessly estranged from
his subject Roman population. As it was, the Franks and the provincials coalesced as in none
other of the new barbarian kingdoms. The story of Chlodovocar's conversion, of course, gave the
pious chroniclers an opening for many edifying anecdotes.
Chronicle of St. Denis:
Chlodovocar, King of the Franks
From The Chronicle of St. Denis, I.18-19, 23:
At this time the King was yet in the errors of his idolatry and went to war with the Alemanni,
since he wished to render them tributary. Long was the battle, many were slain on one side or the
other, for the Franks fought to win glory and renown, the Alemanni to save life and freedom.
When the King at length saw the slaughter of his people and the boldness of his foes, he had
greater expectation of disaster than of victory. He looked up to heaven humbly, and spoke thus:
"Most mighty God, whom my queen Clothilde worships and adores with heart and soul, I pledge
you perpetual service unto your faith, if only you give me now the victory over my enemies."
Instantly when he had said this, his men were filled with burning valor, and a great fear smote his
enemies, so that they turned their backs and fled the battle; and victory remained with the King
and with the Franks. The king of the Alemanni were slain; and as for the Alemanni, seeing
themselves discomfited, and that their king had fallen, they yielded themselves to Chlodovocar
and his Franks and became his tributaries.
The King returned after this victory into Frankland. He went to Rheims, and told the Queen what
had befallen; and they together gave thanks unto Our Lord. The King made his confession of
faith from his heart, and with right good will. The Queen, who was wondrously overjoyed at the
conversion of her lord, went at once to St. Remi, at that time archbishop of the city. Straightway
he hastened to the palace to teach the King the way by which he could come unto God, for his
mind was still in doubt about it. He presented himself boldly before his face, although a little
while before he [the bishop] had not dared to come before him.
When St. Remi had preached to the King the Christian faith and taught him the way of the Cross,
and when the king had known what the faith was, Chlodovocar promised fervently that he would
henceforth never serve any save the all-powerful God. After that he said he would put to the test
and try the hearts and wills of his chieftains and lesser people: for he would convert them more
easily if they were converted by pleasant means and by mild words, than if they were driven to it
by force; and this method seemed best to St. Remi. The folk and the chieftains were assembled
by the command of the King. He arose in the midst of them, and spoke to this effect: "Lords of
the Franks, it seems to me highly profitable that you should know first of all what are those gods
which you worship. For we are certain of their falsity: and we come right freely into the
knowledge of Him who is the true God. Know of a surety that this same God which I preach to
you has given victory over your enemies in the recent battle against the Alemanni. Lift,
therefore, your hearts in just hope; and ask the Sovereign Defender, that He give to you all, that
which you desire---that He save our souls and give us victory over our enemies." When the King
full of faith had thus preached to and admonished his people, one and all banished from their
hearts all unbelief, and recognized their Creator.
When shortly afterward Chlodovocar set out for the church for baptism, St. Remi prepared a
great procession. The streets of Rheims were hung with banners and tapestry. The church was
decorated. The baptistry was covered with balsams and all sorts of perfumes. The people
believed they were already breathing the delights of paradise. The cortege set out from the
palace, the clergy led the way bearing the holy Gospels, the cross and banners, chanting hymns
and psalms. Then came the bishop leading the King by the hand, next the Queen with the
multitude. Whilst on the way the King asked of the bishop, "If this was the Kingdom of Heaven
which he had promised him." "Not so," replied the prelate; "it is the road that leads to it."
When in the church, in the act of bestowing baptism the holy pontiff lifted his eyes to heaven in
silent prayer and wept. Straightway a dove, white as snow, descended bearing in his beak a vial
of holy oil. A delicious odor exhaled from it: which intoxicated those near by with an
inexpressible delight. The holy bishop took the vial, and suddenly the dove vanished.
Transported with joy at the sight of this notable miracle, the King renounced Satan, his pomps
and his works; and demanded with earnestness the baptism; at the moment when he bent his head
over the fountain of life, the eloquent pontiff cried, "Bow down thine head, fierce Sicambrian!
Adore that which once thou hast burned: burn that which thou hast adored!"
After having made his profession of the orthodox faith, the King is plunged thrice in the waters of
baptism. Then in the name of the holy and indivisible Trinity---Father, Son, and Holy Ghost---the
prelate consecrated him with the divine unction. Two sisters of the king and 3000 fighting men of
the Franks and a great number of women and children were likewise baptized. Thus we many
well believe that day was a day of joy in heaven for the holy angels; likewise of rejoicing on
earth for devout and faithful men!
The King showed vast zeal for his new faith. He built a splendid church at Paris, called St.
Genevieve, where later he and Clothilde were buried. Faith and religion and zeal for justice
were pursued by him all the days of his life. Certain Franks still held to paganism, and found a
leader in Prince Ragnachairus but he was presently delivered up in fetters to Chlodovocar who
put him to death. Thus all the Frankish people were converted and baptized by the merits of St.
Remi....
At this time there came to Chlodovocar messengers from Anastasius, the Emperor of
Constantinople, who brought him presents from their master, and letters whereof the effect was,
that it pleased the Emperor and the Senators that he [Chlodovocar] be made a "Friend of the
Emperor," and a "Patrician" and "Councilor" of the Romans. When the King had read these
letters, he arrayed himself in the robe of a senator, which the Emperor had sent to him. He
mounted upon his charger; and thus he went to the public square before the church of St.
Martin; and then he gave great gifts to the people. From this day he was always called
"Councilor" and "Augustus."
Gregory of Tours:
History of the Franks, II.40
While King Chlodovocar dwelt at Paris he sent secretly to Cloderic, son of Sigibert, king of
Cologne, and said unto him: "Behold, your father is old and lame. If he should die, his kingdom
would be yours on the strength of our friendship together." Then it came to pass that Sigebert
quitted the city of Cologne and crossed the Rhine to enjoy himself in the forest of Buconia. And
as he slept in his tent about noon time, his son sent assassins against him, and caused him to
perish, in order to gain his kingdom. The murderer sent messengers to Chlodovocar saying: "My
father is dead, even as was enjoined, and I have in my possession both his wealth and his
kingdom. Send, therefore, some of your people, and I will freely commit to them whatever you
wish of his treasures."
When Chlodovocar's messengers came, Cloderic opened before them the treasures of his father;
but as he thrust his hand deep down in the chest, one of the messengers raised his "Franciska"
[the Frankish battle axe] and cleft his skull. Then Chlodovocar straightway presented himself at
Cologne, assembled the folk there and spoke to them: "Hear what has befallen. While I sailed
upon the river Scheldt, Cloderic, the son of my kinsman, pursued his father, pretending that I
desired him to kill him; and while Sigebert fled across the forest of Buconia, Cloderic compassed
his death by brigands. Then he himself---at the moment he was opening the treasures of his
father---was smitten and slain!---I know not by whom. I am in no way an accomplice in these
deeds; for I cannot shed the blood of my kinsfolk---something utterly unlawful! But since the
thing is done, I give you council; if you are willing, receive me as your king. Have recourse to
me and put yourselves under my protection.
The Ripuarian Franks of Cologne welcomed these words with loud applause, and with the
clashing of their shields. They lifted Chlodovocar upon a shield, and proclaimed him king over
them.....
Daily did God cause Chlodovocar's enemies to fall into his hand, and increased his kingdom;
seeing that he went about with his heart right before the Lord, and did that which was pleasing
in His eyes.
Source.
From: William Stearns Davis, ed., Readings in Ancient History: Illustrative Extracts from the
Sources, 2 Vols., (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1912-1913), pp. 331-337
Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Cal. State Fullerton. The text may have been modernized by
Prof. Arkenberg.
Medieval Sourcebook:
Three Sources on the Ravages of the Northmen in Frankland, c. 843 - 912
[Ogg Introduction]: Below are a few passages taken from the Annals of St. Bertin, the poem of
Abbo on the siege of Paris, and the Chronicle of St. Denis, which show something of the
character of the Northmen's part in early French history, first as mere invaders and afterwards
as permanent settlers.
 The Annals of St. Bertin
 Abbo's Wars of Count Odo with the Northmen in the Reign of Charles the Fat
 The Chronicle of St. Denis Based on Dudo and William of Jumièges
From The Annals of St. Bertin,
[Text in Monumenta Germaniae Historica Scriptores, (Pertz ed.), Vol. I, pp. 439-454].
843 A.D. Pirates of the Northmen's race came to Nantes, killed the bishop and many of the
clergy and laymen, both men and women, and pillaged the city. Thence they set out to plunder
the lands of lower Aquitaine. At length they arrived at a certain island [the isle of Rhé, near La
Rochelle, north of the mouth of the Garonne], and carried materials thither from the mainland to
build themselves houses; and they settled there for the winter, as if that were to be their
permanent dwelling-place.
844. The Northmen ascended the Garonne as far as Toulouse and pillaged the lands along both
banks with impunity. Some, after leaving this region went into Galicia [in Northern Spain] and
perished, part of them by the attacks of the crossbowmen who had come to resist them, part by
being overwhelmed by a storm at sea. But others of them went farther into Spain and engaged in
long and desperate combats with the Saracens; defeated in the end, they withdrew.
845. then the other, came without meeting any resistance to Paris. Charles [the Bald] resolved to
hold out against them; but seeing the impossibility of gaining a victory, he made with them a
certain agreement and by a gift of 7,000 livres he bought them off from advancing farther and
persuaded them to return. Euric, king of the Northmen, advanced, with six hundred vessels,
along the course of the River Elbe to attack Louis of Germany. The Saxons prepared to meet
him, gave battle, and with the aid of our Lord Jesus Christ won the victory. The Northmen
returned down the Seine and coming to the ocean pillaged, destroyed, and burned all the regions
along the coast.
846. The Danish pirates landed in Frisia. They were able to force from the people whatever
contributions they wished and, being victors in battle, they remained masters of almost the entire
province.
847. The Northmen made their appearance in the part of Gaul inhabited by the Britons and won
three victories. Noménoé [a chief of the Britons], although defeated, at length succeeded in
buying them off with presents and getting them out of his country.
853-854. The Danish pirates, making their way into the country eastward from the city of
Nantes, arrived without opposition, November Eighth, before Tours. This they burned, together
with the church of St. Martin and the neighboring places. But that incursion had been foreseen
with certainty and the body of St. Martin had been removed to Cormery, a monastery of that
church, and from there to the city of Orleans. The pirates went on to the château of Blois and
burned it, proposing then to proceed to Orleans and destroy that city in the same fashion. But
Agius, bishop of Orleans, and Burchard, bishop of Chartres, had gathered soldiers and ships to
meet them; so they abandoned their design and returned to the lower Loire, though the following
year [855] they ascended it anew to the city of Angers.
855. They left their ships behind and undertook to go overland to the city of Poitiers; but the
Aquitanians came to meet them and defeated them, so that not more than 300 escaped.
856. On the eighteenth of April, the Danish pirates came to the city of Orleans, pillaged it, and
went away without meeting opposition. Other Danish pirates came into the Seine about the
middle of August and, after plundering and ruining the towns on the two banks of the river, and
even the monasteries and villages farther back, came to a well located place near the Seine called
Jeufosse, and, there quietly passed the winter.
859. The Danish pirates having made a long sea-voyage (for they had sailed between Spain and
Africa) entered the Rhone, where they pillaged many cities and monasteries and established
themselves on the island called Camargue. . . . They devastated everything before them as far as
the city of Valence. Then, after ravaging all these regions, they returned to the island where they
had fixed their habitation. Thence they went on toward Italy, capturing and plundering Pisa and
other cities.
From Abbo's Wars of Count Odo with the Northmen in the Reign of Charles the Fat
[Text in Bouquet, Recueil des Historiens des Gaules et de las France, Vol. VIII, pp. 4-26].
885. The Northmen came to Paris with 700 sailing ships, not counting those of smaller size
which are commonly called barques. At one stretch the Seine was lined with the vessels for more
than two leagues, so that one might ask in astonishment in what cavern the river had been
swallowed up, since it was not to be seen. The second day after the fleet of the Northmen arrived
under the walls of the city, Siegfried, who was then king only in name but who was in command
of the expedition, came to the dwelling of the illustrious bishop. He bowed his head and said:
"Gauzelin, have compassion on yourself and on your flock. We beseech you to listen to us, in
order that you may escape death. Allow us only the freedom of the city. We will do no harm and
we will see to it that whatever belongs either to you or to Odo shall be strictly respected." Count
Odo, who later became king, was then the defender of the city. The bishop replied to Siegfried,
"Paris has been entrusted to us by the Emperor Charles, who, after God, king and lord of the
powerful, rules over almost all the world. He has put it in our care, not at all that the kingdom
may be ruined by our misconduct, but that he may keep it and be assured of its peace. If, like us,
you had been given the duty of defending these walls, and if you should have done that which
you ask us to do, what treatment do you think you would deserve?" Siegfried replied. "I should
deserve that my head be cut off and thrown to the dogs. Nevertheless, if you do not listen to my
demand, on the morrow our war machines will destroy you with poisoned arrows. You will be
the prey of famine and of pestilence and these evils will renew themselves perpetually every
year." So saying, he departed and gathered together his comrades.
In the morning the Northmen, boarding their ships, approached the tower and attacked it [the
tower blocked access to the city by the so-called "Great Bridge," which connected the right bank
of the Seine with the island on which the city was built. The tower stood on the present site of
the Châtelet]. They shook it with their engines and stormed it with arrows. The city resounded
with clamor, the people were aroused, the bridges trembled. All came together to defend the
tower. There Odo, his brother Robert, and the Count Ragenar distinguished themselves for
bravery; likewise the courageous Abbot Ebolus, the nephew of the bishop. A keen arrow
wounded the prelate, while at his side the young warrior Frederick was struck by a sword.
Frederick died, but the old man, thanks to God, survived. There perished many Franks; after
receiving wounds they were lavish of life. At last the enemy withdrew, carrying off their dead.
The evening came. The tower had been sorely tried, but its foundations were still solid, as were
also the narrow bays which surmounted them. The people spent the night repairing it with
boards. By the next day, on the old citadel had been erected a new tower of wood, a half higher
than the former one. At sunrise the Danes caught their first glimpse of it. Once more the latter
engaged with the Christians in violent combat. On every side arrows sped and blood flowed.
With the arrows mingled the stones hurled by slings and war-machines; the air was filled with
them. The tower which had been built during the night groaned under the strokes of the darts, the
city shook with the struggle, the people ran hither and thither, the bells jangled. The warriors
rushed together to defend the tottering tower and to repel the fierce assault. Among these
warriors two, a count and an abbot [Ebolus], surpassed all the rest in courage. The former was
the redoubtable Odo who never experienced defeat and who continually revived the spirits of the
worn-out defenders. He ran along the ramparts and hurled back the enemy. On those who were
secreting themselves so as to undermine the tower he poured oil, wax, and pitch, which, being
mixed and heated, burned the Danes and tore off their scalps. Some of them died; others threw
themselves into the river to escape the awful substance. . . .
Meanwhile Paris was suffering not only from the sword outside but also from a pestilence within
which brought death to many noble men. Within the walls there was not ground in which to bury
the dead. . . . Odo, the future king, was sent to Charles, emperor of the Franks, to implore help
for the stricken city. One day Odo suddenly appeared in splendor in the midst of three bands of
warriors. The sun made his armor glisten and greeted him before it illuminated the country
around. The Parisians saw their beloved chief at a distance, but the enemy, hoping to prevent his
gaining entrance to the tower, crossed the Seine and took up their position on the bank.
Nevertheless Odo, his horse at a gallop, got past the Northmen and reached the tower, whose
gates Ebolus opened to him. The enemy pursued fiercely the comrades of the count who were
trying to keep up with him and get refuge in the tower. [The Danes were defeated in the attack.]
Now came the Emperor Charles, surrounded by soldiers of all nations, even as the sky is adorned
with resplendent stars. A great throng, speaking many languages, accompanied him. He
established his camp at the foot of the heights of Montmartre, near the tower. He allowed the
Northmen to have the country of Sens to plunder; and in the spring he gave them 700 pounds of
silver on condition that by the month of March they leave France for their own kingdom. Then
Charles returned, destined to an early death.
From The Chronicle of St. Denis Based on Dudo and William of Jumièges [Vol. III, p. 105].
The king had at first wished to give to Rollo the province of Flanders, but the Norman rejected it
as being too marshy. Rollo refused to kiss the foot of Charles when he received from him the
duchy of Normandy. "He who receives such a gift," said the bishops to him, "ought to kiss the
foot of the king." "Never," replied he, "will I bend the knee to anyone, or kiss anybody's foot."
Nevertheless, impelled by the entreaties of the Franks, he ordered one of his warriors to perform
the act in his stead. This man seized the foot of the king and lifted it to his lips, kissing it without
bending and so causing the king to tumble over backwards. At that there was a loud burst of
laughter and a great commotion in the crowd of onlookers. King Charles, Robert, Duke of the
Franks, the counts and magnates, and the bishops and abbots, bound themselves by the oath of
the Catholic faith to Rollo, swearing by their lives and their bodies and by the honor of all the
kingdom, that he might hold the land and transmit it to his heirs from generation to generation
throughout all time to come. When these things had been satisfactorily performed, the king
returned in good spirits into his dominion, and Rollo with Duke Robert set out for Rouen.
In the year of our Lord 912 Rollo was baptized in holy water in the name of the sacred Trinity by
Franco, archbishop of Rouen. Duke Robert, who was his godfather, gave to him his name. Rollo
devotedly honored God and the Holy Church with his gifts. . . . The pagans, seeing that their
chieftain had become a Christian, abandoned their idols, received the name of Christ, and with
one accord desired to be baptized. Meanwhile, the Norman duke made ready for a splendid
wedding and married the daughter of the king [Gisela] according to Christian rites.
Rollo gave assurance of security to all those who wished to dwell in his country. The land he
divided among his followers, and, as it had been a long time unused, he improved it by the
construction of new buildings. It was peopled by the Norman warriors and by immigrants from
outside regions. The duke established for his subjects certain inviolable rights and laws,
confirmed and published by the will of the leading men, and he compelled all his people to live
peaceably together. He rebuilt the churches, which had been entirely ruined; he restored the
temples, which had been destroyed by the ravages of the pagans; he repaired and added to the
walls and fortifications of the cities; he subdued the Britons who rebelled against him; and with
the provisions obtained from them he supplied all the country that had been granted to him.
Source.
From: Frederic Austin Ogg, ed., A Source Book of Mediaeval History: Documents Illustrative of
European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance, (New York, 1907,
reprinted by Cooper Square Publishers (New York), 1972), pp. 165-173.
Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Cal. State Fullerton. The text has been modernized by Prof.
Arkenberg.