Bishop Adalardus of Tours

Status

Historical NPC - Church authority

Overview

Bishop Adalardus of Tours is a high-ranking church official who commissioned the establishment of Monasterio del Santo Reino near Valencia, approximately 100 years ago (around 794 AD). His letter chartering the monastery represents the Frankish church's attempt to establish spiritual presence in contested Iberian territories.

The Charter Letter

Adalardus wrote to the Benedictine order:

"To the devout brothers of the holy order of Saint Benedict,

Greetings and blessings from Tours. I am writing to you today to request that you establish a monastery near the city of Valencia.

I know that this is a great undertaking, and that it will require sacrifice and dedication on your part. But I also know that you are men of faith and devotion, and that you are more than capable of accomplishing this task.

Eastern Iberia is in great need of spiritual guidance and leadership, and I believe that a monastery, founded on the principles of the Rule of Saint Benedict, can provide that guidance and leadership. The monastery will serve as a beacon of hope and light in a dark and troubled time, and will be a refuge for all who seek the peace and joy of God.

I am providing you with the necessary resources to establish the monastery, and I am confident that you will make good use of them. I pray that God will bless your efforts, and that the monastery will flourish and grow.

May God be with you, and may you always remain faithful to His will.

Yours in Christ,

Adalardus, Bishop of Tours"

The Mission

Goals

• Establish Benedictine presence near Valencia
• Provide "spiritual guidance and leadership" to Eastern Iberia
• Create "a beacon of hope and light in a dark and troubled time"
• Offer refuge to those seeking God

Context

The letter reveals the situation circa 794 AD:

• "Dark and troubled time" - Ongoing conflict in region
• Need for spiritual leadership - Christianity competing with Islam
• Strategic location - Near major Muslim city of Valencia
• Dangerous undertaking - Required "sacrifice and dedication"

Resources

Adalardus provided:

• Funding for establishment
• Authorization for monastery construction
• Support from Tours diocese
• Confidence in the monks' abilities

The Tragic Outcome

The monastery Adalardus commissioned:

• Was built successfully near Valencia
• Operated for approximately 100 years
• Was raided and destroyed by Moorish forces around 844 AD
• Resulted in massacre of monks, with Brother Thomas as sole survivor
• Now stands as ruins haunted by Thomas's madness

Legacy

The Treasure

Despite the raid, valuable items commissioned by Adalardus may still remain:

• Golden Chalice of Tours - Miraculous artifact gifted to monastery
• Reliquary of St Benedict - Sacred relic with protective properties
• Sword of the Saints - Pope-blessed weapon
• Other religious artifacts and manuscripts

The Failure

Adalardus's vision of a "beacon of hope" instead became:

• Site of massacre and tragedy
• Home to a mad monk and possible demon
• Reminder of the violence between faiths
• Dangerous ruins filled with traps

Historical Significance

The charter represents:

• Frankish church expansion into Iberia
• Christian-Muslim tensions of the era
• Benedictine missionary work
• How even holy missions could end in tragedy

Connections

• Monasterio del Santo Reino - The monastery he commissioned
• Brother Thomas - Survivor of the monastery he created
• Charter Letter - His founding document
• Golden Chalice of Tours - Treasure from his city
• Tours - His seat of authority