The principal historian of this epoch, Gregory of Tours, an almost contemporary authority, for he was elected bishop sixty-two years after the death of Clovis, says simply:  “Clovis at once sent a deputation to Gondebaud to ask Clotilde in marriage.  Gondebaud, not daring to refuse, put her into the hands of the envoys, who took her promptly to the King.  Clovis at sight of her was transported with joy, and married her.”  But to this short account other chroniclers, among them Fredegaire, who wrote a commentary upon and a continuation of Gregory of Tours’ work, added details which deserve reproduction, first as a picture of manners, next for the better understanding of history.  “As he was not allowed to see Clotilde,” says Fredegaire, “Clovis charged a certain Roman, named Aurelian, to use all his wit to come nigh her.  Aurelian repaired alone to the spot, clothed in rags and with his wallet upon his back, like a mendicant.  To insure confidence in himself he took with him the ring of Clovis.  On his arrival at Geneva, Clotilde received him as a pilgrim charitably, and while she was washing his feet Aurelian, bending toward her, said, under his breath, ’Lady, I have great matters to announce to thee if thou deign to permit me secret revelation.’  She, consenting, replied, ‘Say on.’  ‘Clovis, king of the Franks,’ said he, ’hath sent me to thee:  if it be the will of God, he would fain raise thee to his high rank by marriage; and that thou mayest be certified thereof, he sendeth thee this ring.’  She accepted the ring with great joy, and said to Aurelian, ’Take for recompense of thy pains these hundred sous in gold and this ring of mine.  Return promptly to thy lord; if he would fain unite me to him by marriage, let him send without delay messengers to demand me of my uncle Gondebaud, and let the messengers who shall come take me away in haste, so soon as they shall have obtained permission; if they haste not I fear lest a certain sage, one Aridius, may return from Constantinople, and, if he arrive beforehand, all this matter will by his counsel come to naught.’

“Aurelian returned in the same disguise under which he had come.  On approaching the territory of Orleans, and at no great distance from his house, he had taken as travelling companion a certain poor mendicant, by whom he, having fallen asleep from sheer fatigue, and thinking himself safe, was robbed of his wallet and the hundred sous in gold that it contained.  On awakening, Aurelian was sorely vexed, ran swiftly home, and sent his servants in all directions in search of the mendicant who had stolen his wallet.  He was found and brought to Aurelian, who, after drubbing him soundly for three days, let him go his way.  He afterward told Clovis all that had passed and what Clotilde suggested.  Clovis, pleased with his success and with Clotilde’s notion, at once sent a deputation to Gondebaud to demand his niece in marriage.  Gondebaud, not daring to refuse, and flattered at the idea of making a friend of Clovis, promised to give her to him.  Then the deputation, having offered the denier and the sou, according to the custom of the Franks, espoused Clotilde in the name of Clovis, and demanded that she be given up to them to be married.