E03513: The will of the deacon Adalgyselus-Grimo of Verdun, of 634, leaves property to several churches and monasteries in the area around Verdun and Trier (both eastern Gaul). Includes references to churches or monasteries dedicated to *Agatha (virgin and martyr of Catania, S00794), *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Vitonus (bishop of Verdun, ob. c. 529, S01458), *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, 00050), *Maximinus (bishop of Trier, ob. c. 347, S00465), and *George (soldier and martyr, S00259). Written in Latin in Verdun.

Will of Adalgyselus-Grimo

Summary:
The will of 'Adalgyselus, also known as Grimo' (Adalgyselus qui et Grimo), is dated the 3rd day before the Kalends of January in the 12th year of King Dagobert (= 30 December 634). Adalgyselus states that he was a deacon (line 2), of the church at Verdun (line 20). The will is witnessed by Paul, bishop of Verdun, by four presbyters and deacons (presumably of the church at Verdun), and by two laymen.

While the will leaves some bequests to individuals, the great majority of Adalgysus' property is left to churches and monasteries in the cities of Verdun and Trier and the region surrounding them, at the time the heartland of the Frankish region of Austrasia. The following institutions are mentioned:

1) A monastery and residence for the poor (monasterio sive xenodocio) dedicated to St Agatha (sanctę domnę Agathę - line 8), which Adalgyselus had founded at Longagio (Longuyon, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France). The xenodochium was a home for sixteen chosen poor people (pauperes). The abbot of the monastery is charged with making sure they are properly supplied with food, clothing and shelter, and with always maintaining the same number of residents (line 28). This institution benefits the most from Adalgyselus' will, receiving several 'villas' (estates) or portions of villas, as well as houses and vineyards.

2) The church of St Peter (basilica domni Petri) in the village of Tamaltio (Temmels, Rheinland-Pfalz,Germany) receives estates or portions of estates, a mill, and flocks of sheep with their shepherds (line 13).

3) The church of St Peter and St Vitonus at Verdun, 'where the lepers live' (basilica sancti domni Petri et domni Vitoni oppidi Virdunensis, ubi leprosi resident ) receives an estate (line 26).

4) Adalgyselus says that 'he built places of the saints' (loca sanctorum aedificavi - lines 31-2) at Teulegium (Tholey, Saarland, Germany), served by clergy appointed by the bishop of Trier. Adalgyselus now leaves this institution, with its land and all its property, to the church of Verdun (lines 32-34). In a later passage Adalgyselus states that because the bishop of Trier had consecrated the loca sanctorum, he should retain the right to carry out baptisms there, for which the church at Verdun is to pay him 31 gold pieces each year for chrism (lines 50-53).

5) 600 solidi are donated to 'the poor [supported by the church] of St Martin of Tours, where he rests in the body' (matricolas domni Martini Turonis, ubi in corpore requiescit) - lines 36-7.

6) Adalgyselus says that he possessed the usufruct to vineyards belonging to the church of St Maximinus at Trier and the church of St George at Amanium (Amay, Liège, Belgium). When he dies, these are to return to the churches concerned. In addition he leaves part of an estate and two cowherds with their cows to the church of St Maximinus, 'where he rests in the body' (lines 41-43).

7) Bequests are also left to other religious or charitable institutions including the church of Verdun (lines 19-20), the church at the village of Choium (Huy, Liège, Belgium - line 40), 'the lepers of Metz' (line 36), and 'the lepers of Maastricht' (lines 38-40), but without referring to the saints to whom they may have been dedicated.

Text: Levison 1932. Summary: David Lambert.