E07747: Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (3.13), describes how the fortress of Vollore, near Clermont (central Gaul), was captured by King Theuderic I in c. 525, and Proculus, a presbyter, killed there, as punishment for wrongs he had committed against *Quintianus (bishop of Rodez and Clermont, ob. 525, S00028). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.

Gregory of Tours, Histories (Historiae) 3.13

Lovolautrum autem castro hostis expugnant Proculumque presbiterum, qui quondam sanctum Quintiano iniuriam intulerat, ad altarium eclesiae miserabiliter interficiunt. Et credo, ob illius causa fuerit ipsum castrum in manibus traditum iniquorum, quid usque illa die defensatum est. Nam cum eum hostes expugnare non possent, ad propria iam redire disponerent, audientes haec obsessi, iam laeti atque securi decipiuntur, sicut ait apostolus: Cum dixerint: 'Pax et securitas', tunc repentinus superveniet interitus. Denique per ipsius Proculi presbiteri servum* iam securi populi traduntur in manus hostium.

* stuprum (Omont and Collon)

'The troops stormed the fortress of Vollore, and the presbyter Proculus, who had once done wrong to Saint Quintianus, was cruelly cut down at the altar of his own church. And I believe it was his fault that the fortress was allowed to fall into enemy hands, for until this moment it had always been inviolate. Theuderic’s soldiers were not able to capture it and they were already preparing to return to wherever they had come from. When the besieged heard of this they were lured into a false sense of security and happiness, as the Apostle foretold: ‘For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.’ In the end the inhabitants, who thought themselves safe, fell into the enemy’s hands, through the slave [or 'the sin'] of the priest Proculus.'

Text: Krusch and Levison 1951, 109. Translation: Thorpe 1974, 172, modified.