It is needless, however, here to give an account of those vicious customs that arose within the bosom of the Church of Rome, and eventually caused what we have quoted; we will rather turn to the legends of the earlier period, many of which are singularly beautiful. Among them we shall find many things which at first sight may provoke a smile, but on reflection we shall arrive at the meaning of what must be taken merely as an allegory.
For instance, we are told that “King Sigebert appointed St. Goar to the Bishopric of Trèves, and the Saint entering the King’s saloon, hung his cloak over a sunbeam, to prove that he was enlightened by God.” This would probably be an illustration of the power of faith, and so with the other legends of the time. Here we shall only select a few that are immediately connected with Trèves.
LEGEND OF ORENDEL.[3]
The great King Eigel resided at Trèves. He was supreme over twelve kingdoms; his favourite son was Orendel.
Orendel having reached his thirteenth birth-day was invested with a sword, and vowed before the Virgin to be “a true chevalier on earth, and a defender of widows and orphans;” then proceeding to his father, he begged of him a wife, that the kingdom might have a queen.
His father told him there was none in all his kingdoms worthy to be his spouse; but at Jerusalem there lived a beautiful Queen, Breide by name, to whom the holy grave belonged: her he must seek, and could he succeed in wedding her, his happiness would be complete.
Orendel, transported with the account of this virgin queen, prayed his father to prepare him ships. His father consented, and three years were spent in preparing for the expedition.
Then in a great assembly the young King, who wished none but volunteers to go with him on his journey, spake aloud: “Where are ye, O courageous Kings! who will risk with me the voyage to the Holy Tomb?” and eight brave kings stepped out, each with a thousand knights.
Again King Orendel spake out: “Where are ye, Dukes and Counts! who will join me in my voyage for the honour of God and the Holy Tomb?” and a thousand nobles offered.