THE SCENE: One can’t help but admire the wonderful pettiness of a king who – after getting insulted – decides to secretly use a stubborn horse to punish his offender.
THE TEXT: During the same time also lived John the bishop of the church of Bergoma, a man of wonderful sanctity. Since he had offended king Cunincpert while they were conversing at a banquet, the king commanded to be prepared for him when he was returning to his inn a fierce and untamed horse who was accustomed to dash to the earth with a great snorting those who sat upon him. But when the bishop mounted him he was so gentle that he carried him at an easy gait to his own house. The king, hearing this, cherished the bishop from that day with due honor and bestowed upon him in gift that very horse, which he had destined for his own riding.
The History of the Langobards, Paul the Deacon, 8th Century AD
