[1124] Sullivan, ap. Pictet, Origines Indo-Européennes, III. 179.
[1125] When used for purposes of divining into the future, these practices were forbidden. Thus, as early as 465, the Council of Vannes denounced those who “sub nomine fictæ religionis quas sanctorum sortes vocant divinationis scientiam profitentur, aut quarumcumque scripturarum inspectione futura promittant,” and all ecclesiastics privy to such proceedings were to be expelled from the church (Concil. Venet. can. xvi.). This canon is repeated in the Council of Agde in 506, where the practice is denounced as one “quod maxime fidem catholicæ religionis infestat” (Conc. Agathens. can. xlii.); and a penitential of about the year 800 prescribes three years’ penitence for such acts.—Ghaerbaldi Judicia Sacerdotalia c. 29 (Martene Ampl. Coll. VII. 33).
[1126] Baldric. Lib. I. Chron. Camerac. cap. 21 (Du Cange, s. v. Sors).
[1127] Decret. Caus. XXVI. q. ii.
[1128] Concil. Barcinon. II. ann. 599 c. 3.
[1129] Goll, Quellen und Untersuchungen, II. 99-105.
[1130] Hist. Monast. de Abingdon. Lib. I. (M. R. Series I. 89).
[1131] Grimm’s Teutonic Mythology, Stallybrass’s Translation, p. 1109.
[1132] E. B. Tylor on Ordeals and Oaths (Macmillan’s Mag. July, 1876).
[1133] Patetta, Le Ordalie, p. 216.