E06226: Two authentic Merovingian royal diplomas record the foundation by Sigebert III, king of the Franks, of the monasteries at Stavelot and Malmedy (north-east Gaul) dedicated to, and holding relics of, *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), *John (either the Baptist, S00020, or the Apostle, S00042), *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), and other *unnamed saints (S00518); and their later confirmation by Theuderic III, king of the Franks, who also speaks of a dedication to *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033). Written in Latin in Gaul, 643/7-679/91.

MGH DD Mer. (excerpts)

81. Sigebert III founds and endows the monasteries of Stavelot and Malmedy (643/8)
Sigibertus rex Francorum [v. inl.]. Vestra comperiat largitas, qualiter pro devotione animae nostrae servorum Dei compendiis opitulante Domino in foreste nostra nuncupante Arduuina in locis vastę solitudinis consulere cupientes, in quibus caterva bestiarum germinat, quatenus eorum meritis aeternę remunerationis copiam adipisci mereremur, qui ibdem patroni nostri Petri et Pauli, Iohannis, Martini vel aliorum sanctorum pignora venerare noscuntur, concessimus eis, ut ibi monasteria iuxta regulam coenobiorum vel traditionem patrum cognominata Malmunderio seu Stabelaco construerentur [...]

'Sigebert, king of the Franks, to his noble men. Let it be known to your largesse that, mindful of our soul, and desiring to make provisions, with the Lord's aid, for the provisions of the servants of God – so that we might earn an abundance of eternal rewards by their merits – in our forest which is called the Ardennes, in a place of great solitude, where herds of wild beasts flourish, that same place where the relics (pignora) of our patron(s) Peter and Paul, John, Martin and other saints are known to be venerated, we have granted them this:, that they may construct monasteries there, in accordance with a coenobitic Rule, and according to the traditions of the fathers, called Malmedy and Stavelot ...'


124. Theuderic III confirms the properties of the monasteries of Staveloy and Malmedy, and the privileges granted by Sigebert III and Childeric III (679/91)
Theudericus rex Francorum v. inl. Si petitiones sacerdotum aut ecclesiarum prolatas, in quo nostris auribus recte poposcerint, perducimus ad effectum, regiam consuetudinem exercemus et in aeternum Dominum retributorem ex hoc habere confidimus. Ideo notum sit fidelibus nostris, quia venerabilis vir Godoinus abba de monasterio Stablau et Malmunderio, quę sunt in honore sanctae Marię et sanctorum apostolorum Petri et Pauli vel ceterorum sanctorum a bone memorię avunculo nostro Sigiberto quondam rege ob amorem Christi de foreste [et] fiscibus nostris super fluvium Amblauam constructa, clementiam nostram exposcit [...]

'Theuderic, king of the Franks, to his noble men. If we bring into effect the petitions brought forward by priests and churches, which are rightly asked in our ears, we thus exercise royal custom, and are sure that through this we will have the Lord as our eternal retributor. Therefore let it be known to our faithful, that the venerable man Godoinus, abbot of the monastery of Stavelot-Malmedy, which was built in honour of Saint Mary and the holy apostles Peter and Paul and other saints by our uncle Sigebert of happy memory, the late king, for the love of Christ from our forest and fisc over the river Warche, has asked of our clemency ...'

Text: Kölzer 2001, 315-7. Translation: B. Savill.