Nonnae Nefariae Pictavienses fabula mira est, quae nos in tempora obscura Galliae Merovingiorum deducit, cum barbarorum regna ac monastica instituta inter saeculum et religionem certamen gerebant. Historia incipit in domo venerabilis Gregorii, episcopi Turonensis, qui sub annum DLXXXIX p. Chr. n., tempore umbratico, in Turonis degit. Vehemens ventus nivibus mixtus fenestras cubiculi eius ferit, dum ipse pie preces matutinas recitat. Quietem eius improvisus tumultus extra cubiculi fores disturbat, diem totam in rerum inopinarum vertiginem vertens.
Ecce repente irruunt in atrium episcopale duae feminae iuvenes, Chrodieldis, filia quondam regis Chariberti, et Basina, filia regis Chilperici, ambae ex regia stirpe Merovingorum. Duces mulierum gregis monialium sunt, quae ex monasterio Sanctae Radegundis Pictavis fugerunt. Non humiles supplices se praebent, sed potius feminae audacia et nobilitate praestantes, quae non propter pietatem, sed ut tyrannidem abbatissae Leuboverae denuntient, fugam suam proclamant. Monasterium sanctum sceleribus corruptum affirmant, atque abbatissam suae potentiae abuti, ac ludos inhonestos inter monachas instituisse criminantur.
Episcopus Gregorius, quamquam tumultu perturbatus, mox intelligit has feminas non tantum ex monasterio effugisse, sed etiam regali dignitate praeditas esse, quarum postulata gravem deliberationem exigunt. Chrodieldis, ferox ac proterva, se reginam nuncupat et iura monialium vindicari postulat. Basina autem, mitior sed non minus audax, fabulam suam ut neptis Francorum regum narrat. Una cum triginta aliis mulieribus, iura sua contra iniquitatem abbatissae defendere cupiunt, et ab episcopo auxilium petunt in sua rebellionis causa.
Gregorius, vir religiosus ac sanctimonia praeditus, inter duas partes se deprehendit: num has feminas adiuvet in tumultu contra abbatissam, an eas ad obedientiam et monasticam disciplinam compellat? Quod initio videbatur simplicis pietatis negotium, nunc vertitur in quaestionem ecclesiasticam et politicam gravissimam. Intra se ipse luctatur inter officium suum erga ecclesiam et misericordiam erga has mulieres, quae, quamvis miserae, sese reginas appellare non desinunt.
Narratio, plena leporis subtilis et descriptionum vividarum, non solum quid in monasterio accidit sed etiam quid in regnis Francorum evenit, ingeniose exhibet, ubi feminae regalis sanguinis audacter pro suis iuribus pugnant. Fabula historicos eventus cum fictis elementis ita coniungit, ut vividam temporis illius imaginem creet. Non modo res ecclesiasticas, sed etiam statum politicum et sociale Galliarum septentrionalium illustrat, ubi res publicae et religiosae saepe confunduntur.
In hac fabula, lectores invenient universum varium ac paradoxum, ubi sanctitas et peccatum, potestas et fides, humanitas et iustitia perpetuo certamine versantur. Multae personae, inter quas episcopi, reginae, comites, ac moniales, in fabulam introducuntur, quarum singulae suae propriae vocis ac desiderii locum obtinent, sed sine facile praescripta iudicatione.
Haec narratio, miraculis, certaminibus, ac festivitatibus plena, lectores qui historiae antiquae ac philosophiae student delectabit, dum quaestiones humanas ac universales tractat: quid sit iustitia? Ubi fines inter sacrum et profanum collocandi sint? Quomodo vir ecclesiasticus in tumultu mundano gubernare debeat? Nonnae Nefariae Pictavienses non simpliciter respondet, sed lectores hortatur ut inter hos eventus intricatos propriam navigationem mentis ac animi peragant.
The Wicked Nuns of Poitiers is a fascinating tale that transports us back to the shadowy times of Merovingian France, when the kingdoms of barbarian rulers clashed with monastic institutions, creating a battle between worldly power and religion. The story begins in the house of the venerable Gregory, Bishop of Tours, who, around the year 589 AD, resides in the city of Tours during a time of uncertainty. A fierce wind, mixed with snow, rattles the windows of his chamber as he solemnly recites his morning prayers. His peace is suddenly shattered by an unexpected commotion outside his door, turning what was meant to be a peaceful day into one full of unpredictable events.
Suddenly, two young women burst into the bishop's courtyard. One is Chrodieldis, daughter of the former King Charibert, and the other is Basina, daughter of King Chilperic, both members of the Merovingian royal family. They lead a group of nuns who have fled from the Monastery of Saint Radegund in Poitiers. But they do not present themselves as humble supplicants. Instead, they are bold and noble women, not there for reasons of piety but to denounce the tyranny of their abbess, Leubovera, which they declare as the reason for their flight. They claim the holy monastery is tainted with corruption, accusing the abbess of abusing her power and introducing indecent behaviour among the nuns.
Although disturbed by the uproar, Bishop Gregory soon realises that these women have not merely run away from the monastery; they are also of royal blood, and their demands require serious consideration. Chrodieldis, fierce and defiant, proclaims herself queen and insists that the rights of the nuns must be restored. Basina, gentler but no less bold, recounts her story as a niece of the kings of the Franks. Along with thirty other women, they seek to defend their rights against the injustice of the abbess and ask for the bishop’s help in their rebellion.
Gregory, a devout man of great sanctity, finds himself caught between two sides: should he support these women in their revolt against the abbess, or compel them to return to obedience and the discipline of the monastery? What initially seemed like a simple matter of piety has now turned into a grave ecclesiastical and political dilemma. Gregory struggles inwardly, torn between his duty to the church and his compassion for these women, who, although they claim to be victims, continue to call themselves queens.
The story, full of subtle charm and vivid descriptions, cleverly intertwines historical events with fictional elements, creating a lively portrayal of that era. It not only shows what happened within the monastery but also what took place in the Frankish kingdoms, where women of royal blood boldly fought for their rights. The narrative sheds light not only on church affairs but also on the political and social situation of northern Gaul, where public and religious matters were often intertwined.
In this tale, readers will find a world full of variety and paradox, where holiness and sin, power and faith, humanity and justice are in constant conflict. Many characters, including bishops, queens, counts, and nuns, are introduced, each with their own voice and desires, yet the story avoids easy judgements.
This story, filled with miracles, conflicts, and celebrations, will captivate readers interested in ancient history and philosophy as it tackles universal human questions: What is justice? Where should the boundaries between the sacred and the profane be drawn? How should a churchman govern in a world full of turmoil? The Wicked Nuns of Poitiers doesn’t simply provide neat answers but encourages readers to navigate these complex events with their own minds and hearts. It’s a pukka tale for anyone who enjoys delving into the tangled web of history and morality.