[506]. This is the case throughout the Teutonic legislation, where there is a king at all. “Theodoricus rex Francorum, cum esset Cathalaunis, elegit viros sapientes, qui in regno suo legibus antiquis eruditi erant: ipso autem dictante, iussit conscribere legem Francorum, Alemannorum et Baiuvariorum,” etc. Eichhorn, i. 273. “Incipit Lex Alamannorum, quae temporibus Hlodharii regis (an. 613-628) una cum principibus suis, id sunt xxxiii episcopis, et xxxiv ducibus, et lxii comitibus, vel caetero populo constituta est.” Eichhorn, i. 274, note a. “In Christi nomine, incipit Lex Alamannorum, qui temporibus Lanfrido filio Godofrido renovata est. Convenit enim maioribus natu populo allamannorum una cum duci eorum lanfrido vel citerorum populo adunato ut si quilibet,” etc. About beginning of eighth century. Eichhorn. i. 274, note c. The Breviarium of Alaric the Visigoth (an. 506) was compiled by Roman jurists, but submitted to an assembly of prelates and noble laymen. In the authoritative rescript which accompanies this work, it is said the object was, “Ut omnis legum Romanarum, et antiqui iuris obscuritas, adhibitis sacerdotibus ac nobilibus viris, in lucem intelligentiae melioris deducta resplendeat.... Quibus omnibus enucleatis atque in unum librum prudentium electione collectis, haec quae excerpta sunt, vel clariori interpretatione composita, venerabilium Episcoporum, vel electorum provincialium nostrorum roboravit adsensus.” Eichhorn, i. 280, note bb. Gundobald the Burgundian, whose laws must have been promulgated before 515, says that he was aided by the advice of his optimates. Again he says, “Primum habito consilio comitum, procerumque nostrorum,” etc. Eichhorn, i. 265, note c.
[507]. Hist. Eccl. ii. 5. He cites a passage which identifies these dooms with those which yet go under Æðelberht’s name.
[508]. A.D. 696. The month is unknown, but probably in autumn.
[509]. Now Berstead, near Maidstone, in Kent, certainly not Berkhampstead in Hertfordshire, as Clutterbuck affirms in his history of that county.
[510]. “Eádigra geþeahtendlíc ymcyme.” See Thorpe, i. 36, note c.
[511]. Archbishop of Canterbury.
[512]. The people subject to their charge. Were the people, that is, the freemen, present at this gemót in their divisions as parishes or ecclesiastical districts?
[513]. Thorpe, i. 36.
[514]. The clergy especially.
[515]. Thorpe, i. 102.