THE SCENE: Defeated and captured on the battlefield, the general Iring had to endure one final humiliation when the conquering King Theodoric used him in a trick to kill Iring’s own king, Irminfrid. It would be hard to say, though, that the ruse worked out entirely to King Theodoric’s liking.
THE TEXT: Iring was sent to Theodoric on that same day that the city was captured, and being received by him the following night, remained in the king’s camp. But when the news was brough that [King] Irminfrid had escaped, the king [Theororic] devised a plan whereby Irminfrid should be treacherously sent for, and Iring should slay him just as if he were to be presented with munificent gifts by the king, and to be honored with great power in the kingdom; Theodoric himself would appear to be innocent of his death. Although Iring had embraced this plan unwillingly, he at last yielded, bribed by false promises, and declared himself willing to obey the king. And so Irmingfrid, being summoned, prostrated himself at the feed of Theodoric; but Iring, standing along-side with drawn sword, as if he were the king’s armbearer, slaughtered him prostrate master. At once the king said to him, “By such a crime you have made yourself odious to all men, by killing your own lord; consider that the way is open for you to depart from us; we wish to have no lot or part in your wickedness”.
“Rightly am I made odious to all men”, replied Iring, “because I have obeyed your treachery, but before I take my departure I will wipe out this guilt of mind by avenging my lord”. And even as he stood there with drawn sword, he slew Theodoric himself, and taking the body of his master placed it over the corpse of Theodoric, so that at least in death the conqueror was beneath the conquered. Then cutting a pathway with his sword he left the camp. It is for the reader to decide whether any credence is to be given to this story. However we cannot but marvel that this story has grown to such proportions that to this day the Milky Way is known by the name of Iring.
– The Deeds of the Saxons, Widukind of Corvey, 10th Century AD
