stances that it was our Ancestors Custom, whenever they
either deprived any one of the Crown, or took away all Hopes of
obtaining the Kingdom, to cut off his Head of Hair. _Aimoinus_ in the
same Place--"He earnestly beholding him, commanded his Hair to be cut
off, denying him to be his Son.--Also--Having caused his Hair to be cut
off a second Time, he put him in Prison at _Cologne_; from whence making
his Escape, he fled to _Narses_, and suffer'd his Hair to grow again,
&c." Which Story _Gregory_ of _Tours_, lib. 6. cap. 24. likewise
records. Also _cap._ 44. where he speaks of King _Theodorick_.--"The
Franks (says he) rose up in Arms against him, and cast him out of the
Kingdom, and cut off his Head of Hair by Force." But there is a very
remarkable, or rather horrible Story related by _Gregory_ of _Tours_,
concerning _Crotilda_, the Queen Mother; who chose rather to have the
Heads of her two Grandsons cut off than their Hair. 'Tis in his 3d Book,
_cap._ 18.--"Our Mother (says the King to his Brother) has kept our
Brother's Sons with her, and intends to advance them to the Throne; we
must concert what Measures ought to be taken in this Affair; whether we
shall order their Hair to be cut off, and to reduce them to the State of
common Subjects; or whether we shall cause them to be put to Death, and
afterwards divide the Kingdom between us: Then they sent _Archadius_
with a Pair of Scissars in one Hand, and a naked Sword in t'other to the
Queen; who approaching her, showed them both to her, and said, Your
Sons, most Glorious Queen, have sent me to know your Pleasure, what
Destiny you are pleased to allot to these two Youths; whether by
suffering their Hair to be cut off, you will have them to live; or
whether you had rather have both their Throats cut. Whereupon She chose
rather to see them both kill'd, than to have their Hair cut off." I
further observe, that it was the Fashion when our Kings went to single
Combat, to have their long Hair tied up in a large Knot a-top of their
Helmets like a Crest; and that was their Cognizance or Mark in all their
Fights. Therefore _Aimoinus_, lib. 4. cap. 18. where he speaks of the
dreadful Combat between King _Dagobert_ and _Bertoaldus_, Duke of the
_Saxons:_ "The King (says he) having his Hair, together with a Part of
his Helmet, cut off with a Blow of a Sword on his Head, sent them by his
Esquire to his Father, desiring him to hasten to his Assistance."

Now when I consider what might