The life of Radegunda, written by Fortunatus and amplified by the nun Bandonivia, furnishes many interesting facts about this holy woman. She took her final resolution to separate from her husband after he had unjustly put her brother to death. On this she went to St. Medard and declared her intention of celibacy, and thence to the church of St. Martin, at Tours, where she made her formal vows. From this she retired to her villa called Suedas, near Poitiers, which she turned into a convent. Thither in 569 the Emperor Justinus (Justin II.) sent rich presents, one being a portion of the true cross. This inspired Fortunatus with a new song, and he broke out in the Vexilla Regis, which is surely one of the most stirring strains in our hymnology.
The following version expresses literally and without modification the ideas set forth in the Latin:
“VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT.”
The royal banners forward fly;
The cross upon them cheers the sky;
That cross whereon our Maker hung,
In human form, by anguish wrung.
For he was wounded bitterly
By that dread spear-thrust on the tree,
And there, to set us free from guilt,