THE GLORIOUS FLAVIUS RECESVINTUS, KING.
I. The Patron, or the Master, shall Alone be Held Guilty, if, by his Orders, a Freeman or a Slave should Commit any Unlawful Act.
We hereby establish as a general principle of law, that whenever a freeborn person, a freedman, or a slave, is known to have committed any unlawful act by the order of his patron or his master, said patron or master shall be held liable for all satisfaction and composition for the same; for he who obeys the orders of his superior, cannot be considered guilty, because it is evident that he did not commit the act by his own will, but under the command of one possessing authority over him.
II. Where a Party in Possession is Expelled by Force.
Whoever forcibly deprives another of property in his possession, before the ownership of said property shall have been determined by a decision of the court; shall lose his case, even though he have the better claim. He who was the victim of the violence, shall receive the property in the same condition as it was when taken from him, and shall be entitled to undisturbed enjoyment of the same. If, however, any person should forcibly seize property which he could not obtain by a decree of court, he shall not only lose his case, but shall give to the injured party property of equal value to that of which he deprived him.
ANCIENT LAW.
III. Where Many Persons Unite in Causing Bloodshed.
Whoever collects a mob for the purpose of committing bloodshed, and makes an attack upon another, whereby he sustains bodily injury; or incites or orders others to commit such acts; as soon as the judge shall be informed of the same, he shall, at once, cause the guilty party to be arrested. And in order that he may be rendered publicly infamous, he shall receive fifty lashes in the presence of the judge, and shall be compelled to name all who were with him, or participated in his offence; and if his said associates should not be under his patronage, every freeman among them shall receive fifty lashes. If, however, slaves are participants in the crime, and belong to another master, they shall each receive two hundred lashes publicly, and in the presence of the judge, as a warning to others.
FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.
IV. Where a Person is Shut up by Violence, Inside his own House, or within his Gate.