He seems to have been born in Poitou, and having dedicated himself
to the service of the Church, he received the tonsure in the city
of Tours. St. Germain, bishop of Paris, invited him to his diocess,
formed him to virtue, and, in token of esteem for his merit, made him
his archdeacon. After the death of Baldegisil, an unworthy prelate,
who sought only to enrich himself by the spoils of his church, St.
Bertran was chosen his successor in the diocess of Mans in 586.
At first he met some opposition from the corrupt manners of his
people, but zealous endeavors to restore them to virtue had soon the
deserved success. By his prudence he saved the state from a war which
threatened it from Waroc and Windimacle, princes of Brittany. He was
called to the court of Gontran, king of Orleans and Burgundy, to
negotiate certain interesting matters regarding the Church. He built,
endowed, and repaired a great number of hospitals and churches. His
will, which he made in 615, is an esteemed piece of church-antiquity.
In it are many considerable legacies to churches and monasteries. But
what is singularly remarkable, we see by it, that the holy bishop
enjoyed on every occasion the favor and protection of Fredegonda.
During the troubles occasioned by the civil wars in France, St.
Bertran was three several times banished from his diocess. This
introduced many disorders among his people, which he happily removed
with the assistance of Clotaire, who after long struggles at length
united to his kingdom those of Burgundy and Austrasia. It is believed
that he died the 30th of June, 623. But he is honored on the 3d of
July, being the day on which his relics were translated. See St.
Gregory of Tours, Hist. l. 8, c. 39, and l. 9, c. 18; and the saint’s
will published with excellent notes by Papebroke, 6 Jun. and Baillet,
under the 3d of July.