V.14
Merovechus was son of King Chilperic I, who rebelled against his father.
After this Merovechus, who was being held in custody by his father, was tonsured, had his clothes changed for those used by clerics, and was ordained a presbyter and directed to the monastery called Aninsola in Maine to be instructed there in the priestly rule (regula sacerdotali). Guntram Boso, who, as we have said, was then living in the basilica of Saint Martin [in Tours], heard of this. He sent Subdeacon Riculfus to secretly advise Merovechus to seek sanctuary in the basilica of Saint Martin. When Merovechus departed [to go to the monastery], from the opposite side came his servant Gailenus. Since those leading him were few in number (parvum solatium), he was set free on the road by Gailenus. Merovechus, having covered his head and put on secular clothes, made his way to the temple of Saint Martin.
After arriving at the church of Saint Martin, Merovechus wished to receive communion from the hands of Gregory of Tours himself. Gregory and Ragnemod, bishop of Paris, who was also present, were reluctant, most probably because Merovechus disregarded his presbyterial ordination. Merovechus, however, argued that he cannot be excommunicated without the consent of other bishops, and threatened to kill passers-by, and, therefore, he was granted communion. Merovechus then lived for some time in Tours and other places, never acting as a presbyter.
(trans. Thorpe 1974: 267, altered by J. Szafranowski)
