52。Intheyear815，cap。i，whichisagreeabletotheCapitularyofCharlestheBald，intheyear844，arts。1，2。
53。Theywerenotobligedtofurnishanytothecount。——Ibid。，art。5。
54。Thecountsareforbiddentodeprivethemoftheirhorses，uthostemfacere，etdebitosparaveredossecundumantequamconsuetudinemexsolverepossint。——EdictofPistes，inBaluzius，p。186。
55。CapitularyofCharlemagne，1，intheyear812。EdictofPistesintheyear864，art。27。
56。Quatuormansos。IfancythatwhattheycalledAfansuswasaparticularportionoflandbelongingtoafarmwheretherewerebondmen；
witnessthecapitularyoftheyear853，apudSylvacum，tit。14，againstthosewhodrovethebondmenfromtheirMansus。
57。Seebelow，chapter20ofthisbook。
58。InDuchesne，ii，p。287。
59。Ibid。，p。89。
60。SeetheCapitularyoftheyear858，art。14。
61。Theyleviedalsosomedutiesonrivers，wheretherehappenedtobeabridgeorapassage。
62。Thecensuswassogenericalaword，thattheymadeuseofittoexpressthetollsofrivers，whentherewasabridgeorferrytopass。
SeethethirdCapitulary，intheyear803，editionofBaluzius，p。395，art。1；andthe5thintheyear819，p。616。Theygavelikewisethisnametothecarriagesfurnishedbythefreementotheking，ortohiscommissaries，asappealsbytheCapitularyofCharlestheBaldintheyear865，art。8。
63。TheAbbéduBos，andhisfollowers。
64。SeetheweaknessoftheargumentsproducedbytheAbbéduBos，intheEstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI。14；especiallyintheinferencehedrawsfromapassageofGregoryofTours，concerningadisputebetweenhischurchandKingCharibert。
65。Forinstance，byenfranchisements。
66。Plato，Tim？us。——ED。
67。LawoftheAlemans，cap。xxii；andtheLawoftheBavarians，tit。1，cap。iv。，wheretheregulationsaretobefoundwhichtheclergymadeconcerningtheirorder。
68。Capitularies，v。303。
69。Booki，form。19。
70。Intheyear789，editionoftheCapitulariesbyBaluzius，i，p。250。
71。Ibid。
72。Ibid。
73。Pr？ceptumproHispanis，intheyear812，ed。Baluzius，i，p。500。
74。Intheyear844，ed。Baluzius，ii，arts。1and2，p。27。
75。ThirdCapitularyoftheyear805，arts。20and22，insertedintheCollectionofAngezise，iii，art。15。ThisisagreeabletothatofCharlestheBald，intheyear854，apudAttiniacum，art。6。
76。Ibid。
77。Intheyear812，arts。10and11，ed。Baluzius，i，p。498。
78。Capitularyoftheyear812，arts。10and11。
79。Intheyear813，art。6，ed。Baluzius，i，p。508。
80。Capitularyoftheyear813，art。6。
81。BookivoftheCapitularies，art。37，andinsertedinthelawoftheLombards。
82。BookivoftheCapitularies，art。37。
83。Intheyear805，art。8。
84。Capitularyoftheyear805，art。8。
85。Intheyear864，art。34，ed。Baluzius，p。192。
86。Ibid。
87。The28tharticleofthesameedictexplainsthisextremelywell；itevenmakesadistinctionbetweenaRomanfreedmanandaFrankfreedman：
andwelikewiseseetherethatthecensuswasnotgeneral；itdeservestoberead。
88。AsappearsbytheCapitularyofCharlemagneintheyear813，whichwehavealreadyquoted。
89。Comites。DeMoribusGermanorum，13。
90。Quisuntintrusteregis，tit。44，art。4。
91。Booki，form。18。
92。Fromthewordtrew，whichsignifiesfaithfulamongtheGermans。
93。Leudes，fideles。
94。Vassalli，seniores。
95。Fiscalia。SeeMarculfus，i。form。14。ItismentionedintheLifeofSt。Maur，deditfiscumunum：andintheannalsofMetz，intheyear747，deditillicomitatusetfiscosplurimos。Thegoodsdesignedforthesupportoftheroyalfamilywerecalledregalia。
96。Seei，tit。1，ofthefiefs；andCujasonthatbook。
97。Bookix。38。
98。Ibid。，vii。
99。Booki，form。30。
100。Bookiii，tit。8，§3。
101。Feudorum，i，tit。1。
102。Itwasakindofprecarioustenurewhichthelordconsentedorrefusedtoreneweveryyear；asCujashasobserved。
103。SeetheCapitularyofCharlemagneintheyear812，arts。3and4，ed。Baluzius，i，p。491；andtheedictofPistesintheyear864，art。
26，ii，p。186。
104。BookiioftheCapitularies，art。28。
105。TheywerecalledCompagenses。
106。Publishedintheyear595，art。1。SeetheCapitularies，ed。
Baluzius，p。20。Theseregulationswereundoubtedlymadebyagreement。
107。Advocati。
108。CapitularyofCharlemagne，intheyear812，art。1and5，ed。
Baluzius，i，p。490。
109。SeetheCapitularyoftheyear803，publishedatWorms，edBaluzius，pp。408，410。
110。CapitularyofWormsintheyear803，editionofBaluzius，p。409；
andthecouncilintheyear845，underCharles，theBald，invernopalatio，editionofBaluzius，ii，p。17，art。8。
111。ThefifthCapitularyoftheyear819，art。27，editionofBaluzius，p。618。
112。Capitulary11intheyear812，art。7，editionofBaluzius，i，p。
494。
113。Capitularyioftheyear812，art。5，editionofBaluzius，i，p。
490。
114。Intheyear812，cap。i，editionofBaluzius，p。490。
115。EstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI，cap。iv，p。
299。
116。Capitularyoftheyear882，art。11，apudvernispalatium，editionofBaluzius，ii，p。289。
117。Art。1，2，andthecouncilinvernopalatiooftheyear845，art。
8，editionofBaluzius，ii，p。17。
118。Orassizes。
119。Capitularies，bookivoftheCollectionofAngezise，art。57；andthefifthcapitularyofLouistheDebonnaire，intheyear819，art。14，editionofBaluzius，i，p。615。
120。Seethe8thnoteoftheprecedingchapter。
121。ItistobefoundintheCollectionofWilliamLarabard，DePriscisAnglorumlegibus。
122。InthewordSatrapia。
123。ThisiswellexplainedbytheassizesofJerusalem，221，222。
124。Theadvoweesofthechurch（advocati）wereequallyattheheadoftheirplacitaandoftheirmilitia。
125。SeeMarculfus，i，form。8，whichcontainsthelettersgiventoaduke，patrician，orcount；andinveststhemwiththeciviljurisdiction，andthefiscaladministration。
126。Chronicle，78，intheyear636。
127。SeeconcerningthissubjectthecapitulariesofLouistheDebonnaireaddedtotheSaliclaw，art。2，andtheformulaofjudgmentsgivenbyDuCangeinthewordbonihomines。
128。Perbonoshomines，sometimestherewerenonebutprincipalmen。SeetheappendixtotheformulariesofMarculfus，51。
129。Andsometollsonrivers，ofwhichIhavespokenalready。
130。SeethelawoftheRipuarians，tit。89；andthelawoftheLombards，ii，tit。52，§9。
131。Tacitus，DeMoribusGermanorum，21。
132。Seethislawinthe2ndtitleonmurders；andVulemar’sadditiononrobberies。
133。Tit。i，§1。
134。SalicLaw，tit。8，§1；tit。17，§3。
135。TheSaliclawsareadmirableinthisrespect，seeespeciallythetitles3，4，5，6，and7，whichrelatedtothestealingofcattle。
136。Booki，tit。7，§15。
137。SeethelawoftheAngli，tit。1，§§1，2，and4；ibid。tit。5，§6；
thelawoftheBavarians，tit。1，cap。8，9，andthelawoftheFrisians，tit。15。
138。Tit。2，cap。xx。
139。Hozidra，Ozza，Sagana，Habalingua，Anniena。——Ibid。
140。ThusthelawofInavaluedlifebyacertainsumofmoney，orbyacertainportionofland。LegesIn？regis，titulodevillicoregiodepriscisAnglorumlegibus。——Cambridge，1644。
141。SeethelawoftheSaxons，whichmakesthissameregulationforseveralpeople，cap。xviii。SeealsothelawoftheRipuarians，tit。36，§11；thelawoftheBavarians，tit。1，§§10and11。
142。SeethelawoftheLombards，i，tit。25§21；ibid。，i，tit。9，§§
8，34；ibid。，§38，andtheCapitularyofCharlemagneintheyear802，cap。xxxii，containinganinstructiongiventothosewhomhesentintotheprovinces。
143。SeeinGregoryofTours，vii。47，thedetailofaprocess，whereinapartyloseshalfthecompositionthathadbeenadjudgedtohim，forhavingdonejusticetohimself，insteadofreceivingsatisfaction，whateverinjuryhemighthaveafterwardsreceived。
144。SeethelawoftheSaxons，cap。iii，§4；thelawoftheLombards，i，tit。37，§§1and2；andthelawoftheAlemans，tit。45，§§1and2。
Thislastlawgaveleavetothepartyinjuredtorighthimselfuponthespot，andinthefirsttransportofpassion。SeealsotheCapitulariesofCharlemagneintheyear779，cap。xxii，intheyear802，cap。xxxii，andalsothatoftheyear805，cap。v。
145。ThecompilersofthelawoftheRipuariansseemtohavesoftenedthis。Seethe85thtitleofthoselaws。
146。SeethedecreeofTassillon，DePopularibuslegibus，art。3，4，10，16，19；thelawoftheAngli，tit。vii。§4。
147。Booki，tit。ix，§4。
148。PactusprotenorepadsinterChildebertumetClotarium，anno593，etdecretioClotarii2regis，circaannum595，cap。xi。
149。Whenitwasnotdeterminedbythelaw，itwasgenerallythethirdofwhatwasgivenforthecomposition，asappearsinthelawoftheRipuarians，cap。lxxxix，whichisexplainedbythethirdCapitularyoftheyear813。——EditionofBaluzius，i，p。512。
150。Booki，tit。9，§17，ed。Lindembrock。
151。Tit。70。
152。Tit。46。SeealsothelawoftheLombards，i。cap。xxi，§3，Lindembrock’sedition，sicaballuscumpede，&c。
153。Tit。28，§6。
154。AsappearsbythedecreeofClothariusIIintheyear595。
155。Tit。89。
156。Capitulareincertianni，57，inBaluzius，ip。515，anditistobeobserved，thatwhatwascalledfredumorfaida，inthemonumentsofthefirstrace，isknownbythenameofbannuminthoseofthesecondrace，asappearsfromtheCapitularydepartibusSaxoni？，intheyear789。
157。SeetheCapitularyofCharlemagne，devillis，whereheranksthesefredaamongthegreatrevenuesofwhatwascalledvilla，ortheking’sdemesnes。
158。SeeMarculfus，i，form。3，4，17。
159。SeeMarculfus，i，form。2，3，4。
160。SeetheCollectionsofthosecharters，especiallythatattheendofthe5thvolumeofthehistoriansofFrance，publishedbytheBenedictinemonks。
161。Seethe3rd，4th，and14thofthefirstbook，andthecharterofCharlemagne，intheyear771，inMartene，Anecdot。collect。，i，ii。
162。Treatiseofvillagejurisdictions，Loyseau。
163。SeeDuCangeonthewordhominium。
164。SeeMarculfus，i，form。3，4。
165。Nealiubinisiadecclesiam，ubirelaxatisunt，mallumteneant，tit。58，§i。Seealso§19。Lindembrock’sedition。
166。Tabulariis。
167。Mallum。
168。VitaS。Germeri，EpiscopiTolosaniapudBollandianos16Maii。
169。SeealsothelifeofSt。Melanius，andthatofSt。Deicola。
170。InthecouncilofParis，intheyear615，art。19。Seealsoart。
12。
171。Ibid。，art。5。
172。InthelawoftheLombards，ii，tit。44，capii。Lindembrock’sedition。
173。Ibid。
174。Letterintheyear858，art。7intheCapitularies，p。108。
175。ItisaddedtothelawoftheBavarians，art。7。Seealsoart。3。
Lindembrock’sedition，p。444。
176。Intheyear857，insynodoapudCarisiacum，art。4，editionofBaluzius，p。96。
177。Tit。3，cap。xiii。Lindembrock’sedition。
178。Tit。85。
179。Intheyear595，arts。11and12，editionoftheCapitulariesbyBaluzius，p。19。
180。Arts。2and3。
181。SeeDuCange，Glossary，onthewordtrustis。
182。InsertedintheLawoftheLombards，ii。tit。52，§14。ItistheCapitularyoftheyear793，inBaluzius，p。544，art。10。
183。SeealsothesamelawoftheLombards，ii，tit。52，§2，whichrelatestotheCapitularyofCharlemagneoftheyear779，art。21。
184。Thethirdoftheyear812，art。10。
185。Thesecondoftheyear813，arts。14，20，Baluzius’edition，p。
509。
186。Capitularequintumanni819art。23，Baluzius’edition，p。617。
187。EdictuminCarisiacoinBaluzius，ii，p。152。
188。EdictumPistense，art。18，Baluzius’edition，ii，p。181。
189。Lib。1。
190。Ihavealreadyquoteditintheprecedingchapter，Episcopivelpatentes。
191。History，vi。
192。Ibid。
193。Vol。ii，bookIII，18，p。270。
194。SeethepreliminarydiscourseoftheAbbéduBos。
195。SeetheEstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI，4，p。
301。
196。Hecitesthe44thtitleofthislaw，andthelawoftheRipuarians，tit。7and36。
197。Quiintrustedominicaest，tit。44，§4，andthisrelatestothe13thformularyofMarculfus，deregisAntrustione。Seealsotit。66，oftheSaliclaw，§§3and4，andtit。74；andthelawoftheRipuarians，tit。11，andtheCapitularyofCharlestheBald，apudCarisiacum，intheyear877，cap。xx。
198。Saliclaw，tit。44，§6。
199。Tit。44，§4。
200。Tit。44，§1。
201。Tit。44，§15。
202。Tit。44，§7。
203。Arts。1，2，and3，oftit。26，ofthelawoftheBurgundians。
204。EstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI。4，5
205。Ibid。；iii。5，pp。319，320。
206。Ibid。，iii，bookVI，4，pp。307，308。
207。Ibid。，p。309，andinthefollowingchapter，pp。310，320。
208。Seexxviii。28ofthiswork；andxxxi。8。
209。Capitulary，Baluzius’sedition，i，p。19。
210。Seexxviii。28ofthiswork；andxxxi。8。
211。Chapters43，44。
212。Ibid。
213。EstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI，4，p。316。
214。Ibid。，p。316。
215。Ibid。
216。DeGestisLudoviciPii，43，44。
217。Chapter23。
218。EstablishmentoftheFrenchMonarchy，iii，bookVI。4，p。302。
BookXXXI。TheoryoftheFeudalLawsamongtheFranks，intheRelationTheyBeartotheRevolutionsoftheirMonarchy1。ChangesintheOfficesandintheFiefs。Thecountsatfirstweresentintotheirdistrictsonlyforayear；buttheysoonpurchasedthecontinuationoftheiroffices。OfthiswehaveanexampleinthereignofClovis’grandchildren。ApersonnamedPeoniuswascountinthecityofAuxerre；[1]hesenthissonMummoluswithmoneytoGontram，toprevailuponhimtocontinuehiminhisemployment；thesongavethemoneyforhimself，andobtainedthefather’splace。Thekingshadalreadybeguntospoiltheirownfavours。
Thoughbythelawsofthekingdomthefiefswereprecarious，yettheywereneithergivennortakenawayinacapriciousandarbitrarymanner：
nay，theyweregenerallyoneoftheprincipalsubjectsdebatedinthenationalassemblies。Itisnatural，however，toimaginethatcorruptioncreptintothisaswellastheothercase；andthatthepossessionofthefiefs，likethatofthecounties，wascontinuedformoney。
Ishallshowinthecourseofthisbook，[2]that，independentlyofthegrantswhichtheprincesmadeforacertaintime，therewereothersinperpetuity。Thecourtwantedtorevoketheformergrants；thisoccasionedageneraldiscontentinthenation，andwassoonfollowedbythatfamousrevolutioninFrenchhistory，whosefirstepochwastheamazingspectacleoftheexecutionofBrunehault。
Thatthisqueen，whowasdaughter，sisterandmotherofsomanykings，aqueentothisverydaycelebratedforpublicmonumentsworthyofaRoman？dileorproconsul，bornwithanadmirablegeniusforaffairs，andendowedwithqualitiessolongrespected，shouldseeherselfofasuddenexposedtososlow，soignominiousandcruelatorture，[3]byakingwhoseauthoritywasbutindifferentlyestablishedinthenation，[4]
wouldappearveryextraordinary，hadshenotincurredthatnation’sdispleasureforsomeparticularcause。Clo—thariusreproachedherwiththemurderoftenkings；buttwoofthemhehadputtodeathhimself；
thedeathofsomeoftheotherswasowingtochance，ortothevillainyofanotherqueen；[5]andanationthathadpermittedFredegundatodieinherbed，[6]thathadevenopposedthepunishmentofherflagitiouscrimes，oughttohavebeenverydifferentwithrespecttothoseofBrunehault。
Shewasputuponacamel，andledignominiouslythroughthearmy；acertainsignthatshehadgivengreatoffencetothosetroops。
FredegariusrelatesthatProtarius，[7]Brunehault’sfavourite，strippedthelordsoftheirproperty，andfilledtheexchequerwiththeplunder；
thathehumbledthenobility，andthatnopersoncouldbesureofcontinuinginanyofficeoremployment。Thearmyconspiredagainsthim，andhewasstabbedinhistent；butBrunehault，eitherbyrevenginghisdeath，orbypursuingthesameplan，[8]becameeverydaymoreodioustothenation。[9]
Clotharius，ambitiousofreigningalone，inflamedmoreoverwiththemostfuriousrevenge，andsureofperishingifBrunehault’schildrengottheupperhand，enteredintoaconspiracyagainsthimself；andwhetheritwasowingtoignorance，ortothenecessityofhiscircumstances，hebecameBrunehault’saccuser，andmadeaterribleexampleofthatprincess。
WarnachariushadbeentheverysouloftheconspiracyformedagainstBrunehault。BeingatthattimemayorofBurgundy，hemadeClothariusconsentthatheshouldnotbedisplacedwhilehelived。[10]BythisstepthemayorcouldnolongerbeinthesamecaseastheFrenchlordsbeforethatperiod；andthisauthoritybegantorenderitselfindependentoftheregaldignity。
ItwasBrunehault’sunhappyregencywhichhadexasperatedthenation。Solongasthelawssubsistedintheirfullforce，noonecouldgrumbleathavingbeendeprivedofafief，sincethelawdidnotbestowituponhiminperpetuity。Butwhenfiefscametobeacquiredbyavarice，bybadpracticesandcorruption，theycomplainedofbeingdivested，byirregularmeans，ofthingsthathadbeenirregularlyacquired。Perhapsifthepublicgoodhadbeenthemotiveoftherevocationofthosegrants，nothingwouldhavebeensaid；buttheypretendedaregardfororderwhiletheywereopenlyabettingtheprinciplesofcorruption；thefiscalrightswereclaimedinordertolavishthepublictreasure；andgrantswerenolongertherewardortheencouragementofservices。
Brunehault，fromacorruptspirit，wantedtoreformtheabusesoftheancientcorruption。Hercapriceswerenotowingtoweakness；thevassalsandthegreatofficers，thinkingthemselvesindanger，preventedtheirownbyherruin。
Wearefarfromhavingalltherecordsofthetransactionsofthosedays；andthewritersofchronicles，whounderstoodverynearlyasmuchofthehistoryoftheirtimeasourpeasantsknowofours，areextremelybarren。YetwehaveaconstitutionofClotharius，giveninthecouncilofParis，[11]forthereformationofabuses，[12]whichshowsthatthisprinceputastoptothecomplaintsthathadoccasionedtherevolution。
Ontheonehand，heconfirmsallthegrantsthathadbeenmadeorconfirmedbythekingshispredecessors；[13]andontheother，heordainsthatwhateverhadbeentakenfromhisvassalsshouldberestoredtothem。[14]
Thiswasnottheonlyconcessionthekingmadeinthatcouncil；heenjoinedthatwhateverhadbeeninnovated，inoppositiontotheprivilegesoftheclergy，shouldberedressed；andhemoderatedtheinfluenceofthecourtintheelectionofbishops。[15]Heevenreformedthefiscalaffairs，ordainingthatallthenewcensusesshouldbeabolished，[16]andthattheyshouldnotlevyanytollestablishedsincethedeathsofGontram，Sigebert，andChilperic；[17]thatis，heabolishedwhateverhadbeendoneduringtheregenciesofFredegundaandBrunehault。Heforbadthedrivingofhiscattletograzeinprivatepeople’sgrounds；[18]andweshallpresentlyseethatthereformationwasstillmoregeneral，soastoextendeventocivilaffairs。
2。HowtheCivilGovernmentwasreformed。Hithertothenationhadgivenmarksofimpatienceandlevitywithregardtothechoiceorconductofhermasters；shehadregulatedtheirdifferencesandobligedthemtocometoanagreementamongthemselves。Butnowshedidwhatbeforewasquiteunexampled；shecasthereyesonheractualsituation，examinedthelawscoolly，providedagainsttheirinsufficiency，repressedviolence，andmoderatedtheregalpower。
TheboldandinsolentregenciesofFredegundaandBrunehaulthadlesssurprisedthanrousedthenation。Fredegundahaddefendedherhorriedcruelties，herpoisoningsandassassinations，byarepetitionofthesamecrimes；andhadbehavedinsuchamannerthatheroutrageswereratherofaprivatethanpublicnature。Fredegundadidmoremischief：
Brunehaultthreatenedmore。Inthiscrisisthenationwasnotsatisfiedwithrectifyingthefeudalsystem；shewasalsodeterminedtosecurehercivilgovernment。Forthelatterwasrathermorecorruptthantheformer；acorruptionthemoredangerousasitwasmoreinveterate，andconnectedratherwiththeabuseofmannersthanwiththatoflaws。
ThehistoryofGregoryofToursexhibits，ontheonehand，afierceandbarbarousnation；andontheother，kingsremarkableforthesameferocityoftemper。Thoseprinceswerebloody，iniquitousandcruel，becausesuchwasthecharacterofthewholenation。IfChristianityappearedsometimestosoftentheirmanners，itwasonlybythecircumstancesofterrorwithwhichthisreligionalarmsthesinner；thechurchsupportedherselfagainstthembythemiraculousoperationsofhersaints。Thekingswouldnotcommitsacrilege，becausetheydreadedthepunishmentsinflictedonthatspeciesofguilt：butthisexcepted，eitherintheriotofpassionorinthecoolnessofdeliberation，theyperpetratedthemosthorridcrimesandbarbaritieswheredivinevengeancedidnotappearsoimmediatelytoovertakethecriminal。TheFranks，asIhavealreadyobserved，borewithcruelkings，becausetheywereofthesamedispositionthemselves；theywerenotshockedattheiniquityandextortionsoftheirprinces，becausethiswasthenationalcharacteristic。Therehadbeenmanylawsestablished，butitwasusualforthekingtodefeatthemall，byakindoflettercalledprecepts，[19]whichrenderedthemofnoeffect；theyweresomewhatsimilartotherescriptsoftheRomanEmperors；whetheritbethatourkingsborrowedthisusagefromthoseprinces，orwhetheritwasowingtotheirownnaturaltemper。WeseeinGregoryofTours，thattheyperpetratedmurderincoolblood，andputtheaccusedtodeathunheard；
howtheygavepreceptsforillicitmarriages；[20]fortransferringsuccessions；fordeprivingrelativesoftheirright；and，infine，marryingconsecratedvirgins。Theydidnot，indeed，assumethewholelegislativepower，buttheydispensedwiththeexecutionofthelaws。
Clotharius’constitutionredressedallthesegrievances：noonecouldanylongerbecondemnedwithoutbeingheard：[21]relativesweremadetosucceed，accordingtotheorderestablishedbylaw；[22]allpreceptsformarryingreligiouswomenweredeclarednull；[23]andthosewhohadobtainedandmadeuseofthemwereseverelypunished。Wemightknowperhapsmoreexactlyhisdeterminationswithregardtotheseprecepts，ifthethirteenthandthenexttwoarticlesofthisdecreehadnotbeenlostthroughtheinjuryoftime。Wehaveonlythefirstwordsofthisthirteentharticle，ordainingthatthepreceptsshallbeobserved，whichcannotbeunderstoodofthosehehadjustabolishedbythesamelaw。Wehaveanotherconstitutionbythesameprince，[24]whichisinrelationtohisdecree，andcorrectsinthesamemannereveryarticleoftheabusesoftheprecepts。
TrueitisthatBaluzius，findingthisconstitutionwithoutdateandwithoutthenameoftheplacewhereitwasgiven，attributesittoClothariusI。ButIsayitbelongstoClothariusII，forthreereasons：
1。Itsaysthatthekingwillpreservetheimmunitiesgrantedtothechurchesbyhisfatherandgrandfather。[25]WhatimmunitiescouldthechurchesreceivefromChilderic，grandfatherofClothariusI，whowasnotaChristian，andwholivedevenbeforethefoundationofthemonarchy？ButifweattributethisdecreetoClothariusII，weshallfindhisgrandfathertohavebeenthisveryClothariusI，whomadeimmensedonationstothechurchwithaviewofexpiatingthemurderofhissonCramne，whomhehadorderedtobeburned，togetherwithhiswifeandchildren。
2。TheabusesredressedbythisconstitutionwerestillsubsistingafterthedeathofClothariusIandwereevencarriedtotheirhighestextravaganceduringtheweakreignofGontram，thecrueladministrationofChilperic，andtheexecrableregenciesofFredegundaandBrunehault。
Now，canweimaginethatthenationwouldhavebornewithgrievancessosolemnlyproscribed，withoutcomplainingoftheircontinualrepetition？
CanweimagineshewouldnothavetakenthesamestepasshedidafterwardsunderChildericII，[26]when，uponarepetitionoftheoldgrievances，shepressedhimtoordainthatlawandcustomsinregardtojudicialproceedingsshouldbecompliedwithasformerly。[27]