Leudast

Leudast (* 6th century; † 582 ) was the son of a slave who, as a favorite of the Merovingian royal family, made a career as marshal and comes (count) of Tours , then fell out of favor and was finally executed.

Life

Leudast was born the son of servus (servant, slave) Leuchadius, who belonged to a royal winemaker, on the island of Gracina in Poitou.

As a child, was assigned to serve in the royal kitchen. Several times he ran away from work, for which his ear was cut as a punishment (see also: Schandmal ). Around 565 he fled to Queen Marcovefa, the wife of King Charibert I. She took care of him and promoted him to the overseer of her best horses. Because of his ambition, he soon became marshal. Arrogance, pride and indulgence shaped his character, but he must have been loyal to his queen, for she often sent him on errands. He became wealthy through blackmail and after the death of his patroness Marcovefa he was able to maintain his position at court through gifts to King Charibert. Later he was sent to Tours as a comes (count).

Bishop Gregory of Tours describes him as follows: There he boasted more than ever in the vain feeling of his high dignity, also turned out to be a robber and bloodsucker, trafficker and filthy adulterer and amassed a large fortune by inciting discord and showing off.

Leudast, the comes (count) of Tours, a follower of Fredegundes , pursued her hated stepson Merowech , but could only kill his servant in 577. Marileif, Chilperich's personal physician, was beaten up as revenge and plundered on his return from the court on Merowech's instructions.

Chilperich sent Ansoald to Tours in 579, who deposed Leudast and raised Eunomius to comes on November 11th . Leudast then went to the king in the hope of rehabilitating himself, accusing Gregory of Tours of wanting to hand over the city to Childebert II or his guardian Guntram I. (see also: Merovingian Brotherly War ) Leudast's intentions were so obvious that Chilperich did not believe this first slander from the start. When Leudast testified that Gregor claimed Queen Fredegunde had a relationship with Bishop Bertram of Bordeaux, Chilperich had Leudast incarcerated. Chilperich could not leave this charge uninvestigated, otherwise he would have confirmed the rumor. With this accusation, Leudast had expected Chilperich's hatred of Gregor and given him the opportunity to get rid of Gregor.

Leudast was released again and allied himself with the priest Riculf, to whom he offered Gregor's bishopric. Gregor's opponents intrigued against him, so that in the summer of 580 he had to answer to the Synod in Berny. Chilperich and Bishop Bertram appeared as prosecutors against Gregor. Gregor regained Chilperich's trust by taking an oath. Leudast was banished and excommunicated. He fled to the sanctuary of St. Peter in Paris. After the death of his son, he secretly took his valuables from Tours to Bourges. His wife was captured and banished to Tournai. In Bourges, Leudast was attacked and robbed by the people under the leadership of the iudex (judge) and could only save himself by fleeing. He regained part of his fortune and returned to Tours, but was driven out by dux (Duke) Berulf. He roamed the country robbing him until he found refuge with friends in Bourges.

Leudast was pardoned by Chilperich in 582, was allowed to return to Tours with his wife and the excommunication was lifted. Gregory of Tours warned him about the resentment of Queen Fredegundes. Leudast disregards the warning and met with Chilperich and Fredegunde in Melun. Fredegunde was unforgiving and shortly afterwards had him captured and executed.

Web links

Wikisource: Gregorius Turonensis  - Sources and full texts (Latin)

• Gregory of Tours, Historiae (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Historiae 5.48
2. ↑ Historiae 5.14
3. ↑ Historiae 5.47
4. ↑ ^{a b} Contributions to the cultural history of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Volume 22, p. 98 ff., Walter Goetz (Ed.), Verlag BGTeuner, 1915
5. ↑ Historiae 5.49
6. ↑ Historiae 6.32