Laws of the Salian Franks, The
Translated and with an Introduction by Katherine Fischer Drew
Number of quotes: 14
Book ID: 245 Page: 7
Section: 3D2
The controversy over the exact date of this conversion, however, is not nearly so important as the fact that the Franks as a people became Catholic rather than Arian Christian. Even though real conversion may have taken place over an extended period of time, Clovis’s formal conversion seems to have brought almost immediate sympathy from the Gallo-Roman Catholic hierarchy in Gaul, which supported him against his barbarian neighbors who remained Arian at this time.
Quote ID: 6185
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 8
Section: 3D2
At any rate, Clovis responded to his new responsibilities by codification of the Frankish law. Presumably the customary laws of the Franks had existed in unwritten form before the time of Clovis, but to Clovis almost certainly belongs the oldest version of the written Salic law, dating from the last years of the fifth century or from the first years of the sixth (it was probably issued between 507 and 511). In issuing a written collection of laws, Clovis was following Visigothic and Burgundian precedent; also like the Visigoths and Burgundians, he almost certainly had the help of advisors trained in the Roman law.
Quote ID: 6186
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 9
Section: 3D2
Clovis had achieved unity not only by defeating the Romans and the Visigoths and laying the foundations for defeat of the Burgundians, but also by defeating the rival Frankish kings, including some within his own family.
Quote ID: 6187
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 26
Section: 3D2
The Lombards were the last major Germanic people to invade the Empire. They entered in the second half of the sixth century, invading an Italy torn by a long-drawn-out war between the Ostrogothic kingdom and the Byzantine Empire.
Quote ID: 6188
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 52
Section: 3D2
the laws survive in so many manuscripts of differing order and content that it has been impossible for the various learned editors who have tackled the problem to establish a single critical text. There are many versions of the laws and numerous varying texts of each of these versions.
Quote ID: 6189
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 55
Section: 3D2
The present work offers a translation of two versions of the Salic law. The first is that usually called the Pactus Legis Salicae which contains the 65-title Pactus issued by Clovis in the early sixth century plus the prologue and capitularies issued later in the sixth century by Clovis’s sons and grandson, Childebert I, Chlotar I, and Chilperic I.
Quote ID: 6190
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 79
Section: 3D2
XIV. . . .
2. If a Roman robs a Salic barbarian (barbarum Salicum) and it is not certainly proved against him, he can clear himself with twenty-five oathhelpers, half of whom he has chosen. If he cannot find the oathhelpers (called mosido in the Malberg gloss) he shall go to the ordeal of boiling water.
Pastor John notes: John’s note: see page 116
Quote ID: 6191
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 116
Section: 3D2
1. If a man has been sentenced to the hot water ordeal and it is agreed that he who was sentenced may redeem his hand and offer oathhelpers, then he may redeem his hand for one hundred twenty denarii
Quote ID: 6192
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 141
Section: 3D2
LXLCONCERNING THIEVES WHO FLEE TO A CHURCH
1. It has been agreed with the bishops that no one shall presume to drag a thief or other guilty person from the porch (de atrio) of a church; [if a man does this], he shall be punished according to the canons (canonibus). [80]
Quote ID: 6193
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 162
Section: 4B
4. He who kills a count (grafione) shall be liable to pay six hundred solidi. 168
Quote ID: 6195
Time Periods: 56
Book ID: 245 Page: 163
Section: 4B
5. If anyone kills a bishop (episcopum), and it is declared murder (in mordrem miserit), he shall be liable to pay eighteen hundred solidi. 176
Quote ID: 6196
Time Periods: 56
Book ID: 245 Page: 171
Section: 3D2
3. At a time pleasing to God, Clovis, king of the Franks, fiery and handsome and renowned, first received Catholic baptism, and the noble kings Clovis, Childebert, and Choltar clearly emended that which seemed less suitable in the pact.4. Let him who esteems the Franks live by the present decree. May Christ protect their kingdom, give them rulers, fill them with the light of his grace, protect their army, and give them the protection of the faith. May Jesus Christ, lord of lords, bestow with his gracious love the joys of peace and times of happiness.
. . . .
And , after the knowledge of baptism, the Franks decorated with gold and precious stones the bodies of the blessed martyrs whom the Romans had mutilated with fire or sword or else had thrown to the beasts to be torn. And after the knowledge of baptism, the Franks, having found the bodies of the blessed martyrs whom the Romans had mutilated with fire or sword, decorated them with gold and precious stones.
Quote ID: 6197
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 245 Page: 178
Section: 4B
3. If anyone kills a deacon, he shall be judged liable to pay twelve thousand denarii (i.e., three hundred solidi).4. If anyone kills a presbyter, he shall be judged liable to pay twenty-four thousand denarii (i.e., six hundred solidi).
. . . .
1. If anyone kills a count he shall be judged liable to pay twenty-four thousand denarii (i.e., six hundred solidi).
Quote ID: 6198
Time Periods: 56
Book ID: 245 Page: 191/192
Section: 4B
1. If anyone wishes to move into a village (villam) in place of another and some of those who live in the village take the position that they wish to receive him but there is one of them who opposes, he may not have the right to move there.. . . .
4. But if anyone has moved into a strange village and no protest has been made according to law for twelve months, he may reside there secure just as the other neighbors do.
Quote ID: 6199
Time Periods: 56
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