Regarding the Life and Conduct

...so that he was concerned that the prophecy of the stargazer might be fulfilled. The stargazer had seen that his son would take on the Christian order. He also strictly commanded that if one of the youths who were with him became sick or weak, that same person should be removed from his son and the palace immediately. Another person, beautiful in body and form and of a cheerful mind, should be taken in the sick person's place. This was done so that nothing disgusting or unclean should appear before the eyes of this royal child. Now that the King had ordered and arranged such things, he saw but did not see, and what he heard, he did not understand.

When the King learned that several monks were still present here and there in his kingdom, for he thought they had all been driven out, he was moved to great anger and fury. He sent his heralds into the entire kingdom and its cities. He had them publicly proclaim that all monks still present must leave the realm within three days. If any were found after the appointed time, they should be miserably executed by the sword and fire. For these, he said, are the ones who persuade the people to worship a crucified God. However, there was in this kingdom a prominent Statthalter governor and Rahtsherr counselor or senator. He was King Avenir's most beloved, trusted friend and innermost advisor. He was the most prominent person at his court. He was a kind, gentle man and zealous in the Christian faith. He also looked after the salvation of his soul and was careful about it. However, he did all this secretly before the King. Some of the King's court servants, who also had access to the King...