To Theodelinda, Queen of the Lombards, on Her Work for Peace

Gregory to Theodelinda, and so on. [a]

We have learned from the report of our son the abbot Probus how earnestly and kindly your excellency has worked, as is your custom, to bring about peace. Nor indeed was anything else to be expected of your Christian faith than that you would show your diligence and goodness in every way in the cause of peace. So we give thanks to Almighty God, who so rules your heart with his kindness that, as he has given you a right faith, so he also grants you always to do what is pleasing in his sight. For you may be sure, most excellent daughter, that for saving so much bloodshed on both sides you have gained no small reward. For this reason, thanking you for your goodwill, we pray the mercy of our God to repay you with good things in body and soul, here and in the world to come.

Moreover, greeting you with a father’s affection, we urge you to deal with your most excellent husband in such a way that he does not reject the alliance of the Christian state. For, as I believe you know yourself, it is useful in many ways that he should be willing to turn to its friendship. So, as is your way, always strive for whatever makes for goodwill and reconciliation between the two sides, and work wherever an occasion of gaining a reward presents itself, so that you may commend your good deeds all the more before the eyes of Almighty God.