[AX] P. 77, c. 6. The principle that the king’s consent was necessary to the choice of a bishop was just being established at this time. The bishops seeing in this case what they thought a good opportunity, wished to disregard it, but Cato would not consent to the scheme, believing that the king’s consent was demanded by the canons. Gregory appears to have sympathized strongly with the effort of the bishops. The selection of Cautinus in the way described was even more irregular than the proposed consecration of Cato.
[AY] P. 78, l. 31. Theodovald reigned 548-555.
[AZ] P. 82, l. 8. Cautinus was illiterate. Cf. Introd., p. [xiii].
[BA] P. 82, c. 13. Chramnus’ stay at Clermont must have come soon after king Theodovald’s death (555). At this time Gregory would be seventeen or eighteen years old.
[BB] P. 82, l. 11 f. Brioude was about 40 miles from Clermont up the valley of the Allier. In it was St. Julian’s church.
[BC] P. 82, l. 30. Note the use of the term rex as applied to Chramnus, who was merely an heir of king Clothar. So regina is applied to a king’s daughter (p. [138], l. 35).
[BD] P. 83, l. 16. Sallust, Catilina, c. 3. Note this apt citation.
[BE] P. 83, l. 23. It was the custom for the Frankish king on his accession to make a circuit of his kingdom and receive the allegiance of his people. Cf. pp. [174], [220].
[BF] P. 84, l. 37. Prima haec est et magna generatio. Gregory’s mother’s family. Introd., pp. [xi-xii].
[BG] P. 85, l. 27 f. For St. Martin’s church see pp. [33-34], and for the cathedral church, p. [247].