The sons of Ludovicus I. then Emperor, had conspired against him,
and amongst divers of the bishops that were confederate with them,
was Theodulphus, Bishop of Orleans, whom the Emperor clapped up in
prison in Anjou. In this place, the Emperor kept his Easter, and was
present at the procession on Palm Sunday, in imitation and honour of
Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. All the pomp was passing by the
place where Theodolphus was under restraint; the Bishop, in sight of
that solemnity, had prepared a most elegant hymn in honour of that
procession; and, as the Emperor passed by, opening his casement, with a
clear and musical voice he sung it, so as to be heard of the multitude
that passed by: the Emperor enquired, “What voice that was, and who
that sung?” It was told him, “The captive Bishop of Orleans.” The
Emperor diligently attending both the purport of the verses and the
sweetness of the voice, was therewith so delighted, that he restored
the prisoner forthwith to his liberty.