Battle of Tolbiac - The Battle Itself

The Battle Itself

We know little about the battle, except that the Ripuarian Franks were probably of no help after the first battle. It is likely that the warriors of Clovis were less likely than the Alemanni. In any case it is said that Clovis saw his warriors being killed and felt the battle was getting out of hand. Moved to tears, he called upon the one God of his wife Clotilde, the God that she had preached to him since their marriage in 493, asking for his help.

Gregory of Tours transmits complete his prayer in chapter II of the History of the Franks: "O Jesus Christ, you who as Clotilde tells me are the son of the Living God, you who give succor to those who are in danger, and victory to those accorded who hope in Thee, I seek the glory of devotion with your assistance: If you give me victory over these enemies, and if I experience the miracles that the people committed to your name say they have had, I believe in you, and I will be baptized in your name. Indeed, I invoked my gods, and, as I am experiencing, they failed to help me, which makes me believe that they are endowed with no powers, that they do not come to the aid of those who serve. It's to you I cry now, I want to believe in you if only I may be saved from my opponents." At these words, the Alemanni began to flee, to retreat because their leader had been killed with an axe. Franks subdued or massacred the Alemanni.