The following description of Clovis I is taken from Gregory of Tours'
History of the Franks:
At that time many churches were plundered by the troops of Clovis, for
he still held fast to his pagan idolatries. The soldiers had stolen an
ewer of great size and wondrous workmanship, together with many other precious
objects used in the church service. The bishop of the church in question sent
messengers to the King to beg that, even if he would not hand back any of the
other sacred vessels, this ewer at least might be restored to the church. The
King listened to them and replied: 'Follow me to Soisson, where all the objects
which we have seized are to be distributed. If this vessel for which your bishop
is asking falls to my share, I will meet his wishes.' They came to Soissons and
all the booty was placed in a heap before them. King Clovis addressed his men
as follows: 'I put it to you, my lusty freebooters, that you should agree here
and now to grant me that ewer over and above my normal share.' They listened to
what he said and the more rational among them answered: "Everything in front of
us is yours, noble King, for our very persons are yours to command. Do exactly
as you wish, for there is none among us who has the power to say you nay.' As they
spoke, one of their number, a feckless fellow, greedy and prompt to anger, raised
his battle axe and struck the ewer. 'You shall have none of this booty,' he shouted,
'except your fair share.' All present were astounded at his words. The King hid his
chagrin under a pretence of long-sufering patience. He took the vessel and handed it
over to the envoy of the church; but in his heart he resented what had happened.
At the end of that year he ordered the entire armyto assembe on the parade-ground,
so that he could examine the state of their equipment. The King went round inspecting
them all and came finally to the man who had struck the ewer. 'No other man
has equipment in such a bad state as yours,' said he. 'Your javelin is in a
shocking condition, and so are your sword and your axe!' He seized the man's axe and
threw it on the ground. As the soldier bent forward to pick up his weapon,
King Clovis raised his own battle-axe in the air and split his skull with it.
'That is what you did to my ewer in Soissons,' he shouted. The man fell dead.
Clovis ordered the others to dismiss. They were filled with mighty dread at
what he had done. Clovis waged many wars and won many victories." From Gregory
of Tours, The History of the Franks 139-40 (Penguin Books, Ltd. 1974).