Infine，asthisconstitutionwasmadetoredressgrievances，itcannotrelatetoClothariusI，sincetherewerenocomplaintsofthatkindinhisreign，andhisauthoritywasperfectlyestablishedthroughoutthekingdom，especiallyatthetimeinwhichtheyplacethisconstitution；
whereasitagreesextremelywellwiththeeventsthathappenedduringthereignofClothariusII，whichproducedarevolutioninthepoliticalstateofthekingdom。Historymustbeillustratedbythelaws，andthelawsbyhistory。
3。AuthorityoftheMayorsofthePalace。InoticedthatClothariusII
hadpromisednottodepriveWarnachariusofhismayor’splaceduringlife；arevolutionproductiveofanothereffect。Beforethattimethemayorwastheking’sofficer，butnowhebecametheofficerofthepeople；hewaschosenbeforebytheking，andnowbythenation。BeforetherevolutionProtariushadbeenmademayorbyTheodoric，andLandericbyFredegunda；[28]butafterthatthemayors[29]werechosenbythenation。[30]
Wemustnotthereforeconfound，assomeauthorshavedone，thesemayorsofthepalacewithsuchaswerepossessedofthisdignitybeforethedeathofBrunehault；theking’smayorswiththoseofthekingdom。WeseebythelawoftheBurgundiansthatamongthemtheofficeofmayorwasnotoneofthemostrespectableinthestate；[31]norwasitoneofthemosteminentunderthefirstKingsoftheFranks。[32]
Clothariusremovedtheapprehensionsofthosewhowerepossessedofemploymentsandfiefs；andwhen，afterthedeathofWarnacharius，[33]heaskedthelordsassembledatTroyes，whoisittheywouldputinhisplace，theycriedouttheywouldchoosenoone，butsuingforhisfavourcommittedthemselvesentirelyintohishands。
Dagobertreunitedthewholemonarchyinthesamemannerashisfather；
thenationhadathoroughconfidenceinhim，andappointednomayor。
Thisprince，findinghimselfatlibertyandelatedbyhisvictories，resumedBrunehault’splan。ButhesucceededsoillthatthevassalsofAustrasialetthemselvesbebeatenbytheSclavonians，andreturnedhome；sothatthemarchesofAustrasiawerelefttopreytothebarbarians。[34]
HedeterminedthentomakeanoffertotheAustrasiansofresigningthatcountry，togetherwithaprovincialtreasure，tohissonSigebert，andtoputthegovernmentofthekingdomandofthepalaceintothehandsofCunibert，BishopofCologne，andoftheDukeAdalgisus。Fredegariusdoesnotenterintotheparticularsoftheconventionsthenmade；butthekingconfirmedthemallbycharters，andAustrasiawasimmediatelysecuredfromdanger。[35]
Dagobert，findinghimselfnearhisend，recommendedhiswifeNentechildisandhissonClovistothecareof？ga。ThevassalsofNeustriaandBurgundychosethisyoungprincefortheirking。[36]？gaandNentechildishadthegovernmentofthepalace；[37]theyrestoredwhateverDagoberthadtaken；[38]andcomplaintsceasedinNeustriaandBurgundy，astheyhadceasedinAustrasia。
Afterthedeathof？ga，QueenNentechildisengagedthelordsofBurgundytochooseFloachatusfortheirmayor。[39]ThelatterdispatchedletterstothebishopsandchieflordsofthekingdomofBurgundy，bywhichhepromisedtopreservetheirhonoursanddignitiesforever，thatis，duringlife。[40]Heconfirmedhiswordbyoath。ThisistheperiodatwhichtheauthoroftheTreatiseontheMayorsofthePalacefixestheadministrationofthekingdombythoseofficers。[41]
Fredegarius，beingaBurgundian，hasenteredintoamoreminutedetailastowhatconcernstheMayorsofBurgundyatthetimeoftherevolutionofwhichwearespeaking，thanwithregardtothemayorsofAustrasiaandNeustria。ButtheconventionsmadeinBurgundywere，fortheverysamereasons，agreedtoinNeustriaandAustrasia。
Thenationthoughtitsafertolodgethepowerinthehandsofamayorwhomshechoseherself，andtowhomshemightprescribeconditions，thaninthoseofakingwhosepowerwashereditary。
4。OftheGeniusoftheNationinregardtotheMayors。Agovernmentinwhichanationthathadanhereditarykingchoseapersontoexercisetheregalauthorityseemsveryextraordinary；but，independentlyofthecircumstancesofthetimes，IapprehendthatthenotionsoftheFranksinthisrespectwerederivedfromaremotesource。
TheFranksweredescendedfromtheGermans，ofwhomTacitussays[42]
thatinthechoiceoftheirkingtheyweredeterminedbyhisnobleextraction，andinthatoftheirleader，byhisvalour。Thisgivesusanideaofthekingsofthefirstrace，andofthemayorsofthepalace；
theformerwerehereditary，thelatterelective。
Nodoubtbutthoseprinceswhostoodupinthenationalassemblyandofferedthemselvesastheconductorsofapublicenterprisetosuchaswerewillingtofollowthem，unitedgenerallyintheirownpersonboththepowerofthemayorandtheking’sauthority。Bythesplendouroftheirdescenttheyhadattainedtheregaldignity；andtheirmilitaryabilitieshavingrecommendedthemtothecommandofarmies，theyrosetothepowerofmayor。Bytheregaldignity，ourfirstkingspresidedinthecourtsandassemblies，andenactedlawswiththenationalconsent；
bythedignityofdukeorleader，theyundertookexpeditionsandcommandedthearmies。
InordertobeacquaintedwiththegeniusoftheprimitiveFranksinthisrespect，wehaveonlytocastaneyeontheconductofArgobastes，[43]aFrankbynation，onwhomValentinianhadconferredthecommandofthearmy。Heconfinedtheemperortohisownpalace，wherehewouldsuffernobodytospeaktohim，concerningeithercivilormilitaryaffairs。ArgobastesdidatthattimewhatwasafterwardspractisedbythePepins。
5。InwhatMannertheMayorsobtainedtheCommandoftheArmies。Solongasthekingscommandedtheirarmiesinperson，thenationneverthoughtofchoosingaleader。ClovisandhisfoursonswereattheheadoftheFranks，andledthemonthroughaseriesofvictories。Theobald，sonofTheodobert，ayoung，weak，andsicklyprince，wasthefirstofourkingswhoconfinedhimselftohispalace。[44]HerefusedtoundertakeanexpeditionintoItalyagainstNarses，andhadthemortificationofseeingtheFrankschooseforthemselvestwochiefs，wholedthemagainsttheenemy。[45]OfthefoursonsofClothariusI，Gontramwastheleastfondofcommandinghisarmies；[46]theotherkingsfollowedthisexample；and，inordertoentrustthecommandwithoutdangerintootherhands，theyconferredituponseveralchiefsordukes。[47]
Innumerableweretheinconvenienceswhichthencearose；alldisciplinewaslost，noonewouldanylongerobey。Thearmiesweredreadfulonlytotheirowncountry；theywereladenwithspoilsbeforetheyhadreachedtheenemy。OfthesemiserieswehaveaverylivelypictureinGregoryofTours。[48]\"Howshallwebeabletoobtainavictory，\"saidGontram，[49]
\"wewhodonotsomuchaskeepwhatourancestorsacquired？Ournationisnolongerthesame。\"……StrangethatitshouldbeonthedeclinesoearlyasthereignofClovis’grandchildren！
Itwasthereforenaturaltheyshoulddetermineatlastuponanonlyduke，adukeinvestedwithanauthorityoverthisprodigiousmultitudeoffeudallordsandvassalswhohadnowbecomestrangerstotheirownengagements；adukewhowastoestablishthemilitarydiscipline，andtoputhimselfattheheadofanationunhappilypractisedinmakingwaragainstitself。Thispowerwasconferredonthemayorsofthepalace。
Theoriginalfunctionofthemayorsofthepalacewasthemanagementoftheking’shousehold。Theyhadafterwards，inconjunctionwithotherofficers，thepoliticalgovernmentoffiefs；andatlengththeyobtainedthesoledisposalofthem。[50]Theyhadalsotheadministrationofmilitaryaffairs，andthecommandofthearmies；employmentsnecessarilyconnectedwiththeothertwo。Inthosedaysitwasmuchmoredifficulttoraisethantocommandthearmies；andwhobutthedispenseroffavourscouldhavethisauthority？Inthismartialandindependentnation，itwasprudenttoinviteratherthantocompel；prudenttogiveawayortopromisethefiefsthatshouldhappentobevacantbythedeathofthepossessor；prudent，infine，torewardcontinually，andtoraiseajealousywithregardtopreferences。Itwasthereforerightthatthepersonwhohadthesuperintendenceofthepalaceshouldalsobegeneralofthearmy。
6。SecondEpochoftheHumiliationofourKingsofthefirstRace。AftertheexecutionofBrunehault，themayorswereadministratorsofthekingdomunderthesovereigns；andthoughtheyhadtheconductofthewar，thekingswerealwaysattheheadofthearmies，whilethemayorandthenationfoughtundertheircommand。ButthevictoryofDukePepinoverTheodoricandhismayor[51]completedthedegradationofourprinces；[52]andthatwhichCharlesMartelobtainedoverChilpericandhismayorRainfroyconfirmedit。[53]AustrasiatriumphedtwiceoverNeustriaandBurgundy；andthemayoraltyofAustrasiabeingannexedasitweretothefamilyofthePepins，thismayoraltyandfamilybecamegreatlysuperiortoalltherest。Theconquerorswerethenafraidlestsomepersonofcreditshouldseizetheking’sperson，inordertoexcitedisturbances。Forthisreasontheykeptthemintheroyalpalaceasinakindofprison，andonceayearshowedthemtothepeople。[54]Theretheymadeordinances，buttheseweresuchasweredictatedbythemayor；[55]theyansweredambassadors，butthemayormadetheanswers。
Thisisthetimementionedbyhistoriansofthegovernmentofthemayorsoverthekingswhomtheyheldinsubjection。[56]
TheextravagantpassionofthenationforPepin’sfamilywentsofarthattheychoseoneofhisgrandsons，whowasyetaninfant，formayor；[57]andputhimoveroneDagobert，thatis，onephantomoveranother。
7。OfthegreatOfficesandFiefsundertheMayorsofthePalace。Themayorsofthepalacewerelittledisposedtoestablishtheuncertaintenureofplacesandoffices；for，indeed，theyruledonlybytheprotectionwhichinthisrespecttheygrantedtothenobility。Hencethegreatofficescontinuedtobegivenforlife，andthisusagewaseverydaymorefirmlyestablished。
ButIhavesomeparticularreflectionstomakehereinrespectoffiefs：
Idonotquestionbutmostofthembecamehereditaryfromthistime。
InthetreatyofAndeli，[58]GontramandhisnephewChildebertengagetomaintainthedonationsmadetothevassalsandchurchesbythekingstheirpredecessors；andleaveisgiventothewives，daughters，andwidowsofkingstodisposebywill，andinperpetuity，ofwhatevertheyholdoftheexchequer。
Marculfuswrotehisformulariesatthetimeofthemayors。[59]Wefindseveralinwhichthekingsmakedonationsbothtothepersonandtohisheirs：[60]andastheformulariesrepresentthecommonactionsoflife，theyprovethatpartofthefiefshadbecomehereditarytowardstheendofthefirstrace。Theywerefarfromhavinginthosedaystheideaofanunalienabledemesne；thisisamodernthing，whichtheyknewneitherintheorynorpractice。
Inproofhereofweshallpresentlyproducepositivefact；andifwecanpointoutatimeinwhichtherewerenolongeranybeneficesforthearmy，noranyfundsforitssupport，wemustcertainlyconcludethattheancientbeneficeshadbeenalienated。ThetimeImeanisthatofCharlesMartel，whofoundedsomenewfiefs，whichweshouldcarefullydistinguishfromthoseoftheearliestdate。
Whenthekingsbegantomakegrantsinperpetuity，eitherthroughthecorruptionwhichcreptintothegovernmentorbyreasonoftheconstitutionitself，whichcontinuallyobligedthoseprincestoconferrewards，itwasnaturaltheyshouldbeginwithgivingtheperpetuityofthefiefs，ratherthanofthecounties。Fortodeprivethemselvesofsomeacresoflandwasnogreatmatter；buttorenouncetherightofdisposingofthegreatofficeswasdivestingthemselvesoftheirverypower。
8。InwhatMannertheAllodialEstateswerechangedintoFiefs。ThemannerofchanginganallodialestateintoafiefmaybeseeninaformularyofMarculfus。[61]Theownerofthelandgaveittotheking，whorestoredittothedonorbywayofusufruct，orbenefice，andthenthedonornominatedhisheirstotheking。
Inordertofindoutthereasonswhichinducedthemthustochangethenatureoftheallodia，Imusttracethesourceoftheancientprivilegesofournobility，anobilitywhichfortheseelevencenturieshasbeenenvelopedwithdust，withblood，andwiththemarksoftoil。
Theywhowereseizedoffiefsenjoyedverygreatadvantages。Thecompositionfortheinjuriesdonethemwasgreaterthanthatoffreemen。
ItappearsbytheformulariesofMarculfusthatitwasaprivilegebelongingtoaking’svassal，thatwhoeverkilledhimshouldpayacompositionofsixhundredsous。ThisprivilegewasestablishedbytheSaliclaw，[62]andbythatoftheRipuarians；[63]andwhilethesetwolawsordainedacompositionofsixhundredsousforthemurderofaking’svassal，theygavebuttwohundredsousforthemurderofapersonfreeborn，ifhewasaFrankorBarbarian，oramanlivingunder，theSaliclaw；[64]andonlyahundredforaRoman。
Thiswasnottheonlyprivilegebelongingtotheking’svassals。Weoughttoknowthatwhenamanwassummonedincourt，anddidnotmakehisappearancenorobeythejudge’sorders，hewascalledbeforetheking；[65]andifhepersistedinhiscontumacy，hewasexcludedfromtheroyalprotection，[66]andnoonewasallowedtoentertainhim，noreventogivehimamorselofbread。Now，ifhewasapersonofanordinarycondition，hisgoodswereconfiscated；[67]butifhewastheking’svassal，theywerenot。[68]Thefirstbyhiscontumacywasdeemedsufficientlyconvictedofthecrime，thesecondwasnot；theformerforthesmallestcrimeswasobligedtoundergothetrialbyboilingwater，[69]thelatterwascondemnedtothistrialonlyinthecaseofmurder。[70]Infine，theking’svassalcouldnotbecompelledtoswearincourtagainstanothervassal。[71]Theseprivilegeswerecontinuallyincreasing，andtheCapitularyofCarlomandoesthishonourtotheking’svassals，thattheyshouldnotbeobligedtoswearinperson，butonlybythemouthoftheirownvassals。[72]Moreover，whenaperson，havingthesehonours，didnotrepairtothearmy，hispunishmentwastoabstainfromflesh—meatandwineaslongashehadbeenabsentfromtheservice；butafreeman[73]whoneglectedtofollowhiscountwasfinedsixtysous，[74]andwasreducedtoastateofservitudetillhehadpaidit。
Itisverynatural，therefore，tobelievethatthoseFrankswhowerenottheking’svassals，andmuchmoretheRomans，becamefondofenteringintothestateofvassalage：andthattheymightnotbedeprivedoftheirdemesnes，theydevisedtheusageofgivingtheirallodiumtotheking，ofreceivingitfromhimafterwardsasafief，andofnominatingtheirheirs。Thisusagewascontinued，andtookplaceespeciallyduringthetimesofconfusionunderthesecondrace，wheneverymanbeinginwantofaprotectorwasdesirousofincorporatinghimselfwiththeotherlords，andofentering，asitwere，intothefeudalmonarchy，becausethepoliticalnolongerexisted。[75]
Thiscontinuedunderthethirdrace，aswefindbyseveralcharters；[76]
whethertheygavetheirallodium，andresumeditbythesameact；orwhetheritwasdeclaredanallodium，andafterwardsacknowledgedasafief。Thesewerecalledfiefsofresumption。
Thisdoesnotimplythatthosewhowereseizedoffiefsadministeredthemasaprudentfatherofafamilywould；forthoughthefreemengrewdesirousofbeingpossessedoffiefs，yettheymanagedthissortofestatesasusufructsaremanagedinourdays。ThisiswhatinducedCharlemagne，themostvigilantandconsiderateprinceweeverhad，tomakeagreatmanyregulationsinordertohinderthefiefsfrombeingdemeanedinfavourofallodialestates。[77]Itprovesonlythatinhistimemostbeneficeswerebutforlife，andconsequentlythattheytookmorecareofthefreeholdsthanofthebenefices；andyetforallthat，theydidnotchooserathertobetheking’svassalsthanfreemen。Theymighthavereasonsfordisposingofsomeparticularpartofafief，buttheywerenotwillingtobestrippedoftheirdignitylikewise。
Iknow，likewise，thatCharlemagnelamentsinacertaincapitulary，thatinsomeplacestherewerepeoplewhogaveawaytheirfiefsinproperty，andredeemedthemafterwardsinthesamemanner。[78]ButIdonotsaythattheywerenotfonderofthepropertythanoftheusufruct；Imeanonly，thatwhentheycouldconvertanallodiumintoafief，whichwastodescendtotheirheirs，asisthecaseoftheformularyabove—mentioned，theyhadverygreatadvantagesindoingit。
9。HowtheChurchLandswereconvertedintoFiefs。TheuseofthefiscallandsshouldhavebeenonlytoserveasadonationbywhichthekingsweretoencouragetheFrankstoundertakenewexpeditions，andbywhich，ontheotherhand，thesefiscallandswereincreased。This，asIhavealreadyobserved，wasthespiritofthenation；butthesedonationstookanotherturn。ThereisstillextantaspeechofChilperic，[79]grandsonofClovis，inwhichhecomplainsthatalmostalltheselandshadbeenalreadygivenawaytothechurch。\"Ourexchequer，\"sayshe，\"isimpoverished，andourrichesaretransferredtotheclergy；[80]nonereignnowbutthebishops，wholiveingrandeurwhilewearequiteeclipsed。\"
Thiswasthereasonthatthemayors，whodurstnotattackthelords，strippedthechurches；andoneofthemotivesallegedbyPepinforenteringNeustria[81]washishavingbeeninvitedthitherbytheclergytoputastoptotheencroachmentsofthekings，thatis，ofthemayors，whodeprivedthechurchofallherpossessions。
TheMayorsofAustrasia，thatisthefamilyofthePepins，hadbehavedtowardstheclergywithmoremoderationthanthoseofNeustriaandBurgundy。Thisisevidentfromourchronicles，[82]inwhichweseethemonksperpetuallyextollingthedevotionandliberalityofthePepins。
Theythemselveshadbeenpossessedofthefirstplacesinthechurch。
\"Onecrowdoesnotpullouttheeyesofanother\"；asChilpericsaidtothebishops。[83]
PepinsubduedNeustriaandBurgundy；butashispretencefordestroyingthemayorsandkingswasthegrievancesoftheclergy，hecouldnotstripthelatterwithoutactinginconsistentlywithhiscause，andshowingthathemadeajestofthenation。However，theconquestoftwogreatkingdomsandthedestructionoftheoppositepartyaffordedhimsufficientmeansofsatisfyinghisgenerals。
Pepinmadehimselfmasterofthemonarchybyprotectingtheclergy；hisson，CharlesMartel，couldnotmaintainhispowerbutbyoppressingthem。Thisprince，findingthatpartoftheregalandfiscallandshadbeengiveneitherforlife，orinperpetuity，tothenobility，andthatthechurchbyreceivingbothfromrichandpoorhadacquiredagreatpartevenoftheallodialestates，heresolvedtostriptheclergy；andasthefiefsofthefirstdivisionwerenolongerinbeing，heformedasecond。[84]Hetookforhimselfandforhisofficersthechurch—landsandthechurchesthemselves；thusheremediedanevilwhichdifferedfromordinarydiseases，asitsextremityrendereditthemoreeasytocure。
10。RichesoftheClergy。Sogreatwerethedonationsmadetotheclergythatunderthethreeracesofourprincestheymusthaveseveraltimesreceivedthefullpropertyofallthelandsofthekingdom。Butifourkings，thenobility，andthepeoplefoundthewayofgivingthemalltheirestates，theyfoundalsothemethodofgettingthembackagain。
Thespiritofdevotionestablishedagreatnumberofchurchesunderthefirstrace；butthemilitaryspiritwasthecauseoftheirbeinggivenawayafterwardstothesoldiery，whodividedthemamongtheirchildren。
Whatanumberoflandsmusthavethenbeentakenfromtheclergy’smensalia/Thekingsofthesecondraceopenedtheirhands，andmadenewdonationstothem；buttheNormans，whocameafterwards，plunderedandravagedallbeforethem，wreakingtheirvengeancechieflyonthepriestsandmonks，anddevotingeveryreligioushousetodestruction。Fortheychargedthoseecclesiasticswiththedestructionoftheiridols，andwithalltheoppressivemeasuresofCharlemagnebywhichtheyhadbeensuccessivelyobligedtotakeshelterinthenorth。Thesewereanimositieswhichthespaceoffortyorfiftyyearshadnotbeenabletoobliterate。Inthissituation，whatlossesmusttheclergyhavesustained！Therewerehardlyecclesiasticslefttodemandtheestatesofwhichtheyhadbeendeprived。Thereremained，therefore，forthereligiouspietyofthethirdrace，foundationsenoughtomake，andlandstobestow。Theopinionswhichwerespreadabroadandbelievedinthosedayswouldhavedeprivedthelaityofalltheirestates，iftheyhadbeenbutvirtuousenough。Butiftheclergywereactuatedbyambition，thelaitywerenotwithouttheirs；ifdyingpersonsgavetheirestatestothechurch，theirheirswouldfainresumethem。Wemeetwithcontinualquarrelsbetweenthelordsandthebishops，thegentlemenandtheabbots；andtheclergymusthavebeenveryhardpressed，sincetheywereobligedtoputthemselvesundertheprotectionofcertainlords，whograntedthemamomentarydefence，andafterwardsjoinedtheiroppressors。
Butabetteradministrationhavingbeenestablishedunderthethirdracegavetheclergyleavetoaugmenttheirpossessions；whentheCalvinistsstartedup，andhavingplunderedthechurches，theyturnedallthesacredplateintospecie。Howcouldtheclergybesureoftheirestates，whentheywerenotevensafeintheirpersons？Theyweredebatingoncontroversialsubjectswhiletheirarchiveswereinflames。Whatdiditavailthemtodemandbackofanimpoverishednobilitythoseestateswhichwerenolongerinpossessionofthelatter，buthadbeenconveyedintootherhandsbydifferentmortgages？Theclergyhavebeenlongacquiring，andhaveoftenrefunded，andstillthereisnoendoftheiracquisitions。
11。StateofEuropeattheTimeofCharlesMartel。CharlesMartel，whoundertooktostriptheclergy，foundhimselfinamosthappysituation。
Hewasbothfearedandbelovedbythesoldiery；heworkedforthem，havingthepretextofhiswarsagainsttheSaracens。Hewashated，indeed，bytheclergy，buthehadnoneedoftheirassistance。[85]ThePope，towhomhewasnecessary，stretchedouthisarmstohim。EveryoneknowsthefamousembassyhereceivedfromGregoryIII。[86]Thesetwopowerswerestrictlyunited，becausetheycouldnotdowithouteachother：thePopestoodinneedoftheFrankstoassisthimagainsttheLombardsandtheGreeks；CharlesMartelhadoccasionforthePope，tohumbletheGreeks，toembarrasstheLombards，tomakehimselfmorerespectableathome，andtoguaranteethetitleswhichhehad，andthosewhichheorhischildrenmighttake。Itwasimpossible，therefore，forhisenterprisetomiscarry。
St。Eucherius，BishopofOrleans，hadavisionwhichfrightenedalltheprincesofthattime。IshallproduceonthisoccasiontheletterwrittenbythebishopsassembledatRheimstoLouis，KingofGermany，whohadinvadedtheterritoriesofCharlestheBald；[87]becauseitwillgiveusaninsightintothesituationofthingsinthosetimes，andthetemperofthepeople。Theysay[88]that\"St。Eucherius，havingbeensnatchedupintoheaven，sawCharlesMarteltormentedinthebottomofhellbyorderofthesaints，whoaretositwithChristatthelastjudgment；thathehadbeencondemnedtothispunishmentbeforehistime，forhavingstrippedthechurchofherpossessionsandtherebychargedhimselfwiththesinsofallthosewhofoundedtheselivings；thatKingPepinheldacounciluponthisoccasion，andhadorderedallthechurch—landshecouldrecovertoberestored；thatashecouldgetbackonlyapartofthem，becauseofhisdisputeswithVaifre，DukeofAcquitaine，heissuedletterscalledprecaria[89]fortheremainder，andmadealawthatthelaityshouldpayatenthpartofthechurch—landstheypossessed，andtwelvedeniersforeachhouse；thatCharlemagnedidnotgivethechurch—landsaway；onthecontrary，thathepublishedacapitulary，bywhichheengagedbothforhimselfandforhissuccessorsnevertomakeanysuchgrant；thatalltheysayiscommittedtowriting，andthatagreatmanyofthemheardthewholerelatedbyLouistheDebonnaire，thefatherofthosetwokings。\"
KingPepin’sregulation，mentionedbythebishops，wasmadeinthecouncilheldatLeptines。[90]Thechurchfoundthisadvantageinit，thatsuchashadreceivedthoselandsheldthemnolongerbutinaprecariousmanner；andmoreoverthatshereceivedthetitheortenthpart，andtwelvedeniersforeveryhousethathadbelongedtoher。Butthiswasonlyapalliative，anddidnotremovethedisorder。
Nay，itmetwithopposition，andPepinwasobligedtomakeanothercapitulary，[91]inwhichheenjoinsthosewhoheldanyofthosebeneficestopaythistitheandduty，andeventokeepupthehousesbelongingtothebishopricormonastery，underthepenaltyofforfeitingthosepossessions。CharlemagnerenewedtheregulationsofPepin。[92]
ThatpartofthesameletterwhichsaysthatCharlemagnepromisedbothforhimselfandforhissuccessorsnevertodivideagainthechurch—landsamongthesoldieryisagreeabletothecapitularyofthisprince，givenatAix—la—Chapelleintheyear803，withaviewofremovingtheapprehensionsoftheclergyuponthissubject。Butthedonationsalreadymadewerestillinforce。[93]ThebishopsveryjustlyaddthatLouistheDebonnairefollowedtheexampleofCharlemagne，anddidnotgiveawaythechurch—landstothesoldiery。
Andyettheoldabuseswerecarriedtosuchapitch，thatthelaityunderthechildrenofLouistheDebonnairepreferredecclesiasticstobenefices，orturnedthemoutoftheirlivings[94]withouttheconsentofthebishops。Thebeneficesweredividedamongthenextheirs，[95]andwhentheywereheldinanindecentmannerthebishopshadnootherremedyleftthantoremovetherelics。[96]