As the bishop proceeded Clovis became
much excited, and at last jumped up from his seat and exclaimed:
"Had I been there with my brave Franks I would have avenged His
wrongs."
On Christmas day a great multitude assembled in the church at Rheims
to witness the baptism of the king. A large number of his fierce
warriors were baptized at the same time. The service was performed
with great ceremony by the bishop of Rheims, and the title of "Most
Christian King" was conferred on Clovis by the Pope. This title
was ever afterwards borne by the kings of France.
Like most of the kings and chiefs of those rude and barbarous
times, Clovis often did cruel and wicked things. When Rheims was
captured, before he became a Christian, a golden vase was taken by
some soldiers from the church. The bishop asked Clovis to have it
returned, and Clovis bade him wait until the division of spoils.
All the valuable things taken by soldiers in war were divided among
the whole army, each man getting his share according to rank. Such
things were called spoils.
When the next time came for dividing spoils Clovis asked that he
might have the vase over and above his regular share, his intention
being to return it to the bishop.
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