Letter 4009: King Theodoric to Osuin, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count.

King Theodoric to Osuin, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count. It is itself a declaration of innocence to have chosen to come before us, where there is no room for violence and no cause to fear the corruption of greed. Maurentius and Paula, deprived of their father's protection, testify that they are being exposed to the injuries of many. Their youth makes them vulnerable to harm, since it is easy to take advantage of young people left without support. They therefore deserve our protection, since the cunning of wicked men shows them no restraint. Accordingly, let Your Sublimity take note of this order: if anyone should wish to bring legal action against the above-named young people, he is to know that they must be directed to our court, where innocence can find refuge and false accusers can find the full rigor of the law.

VIIII. OSVIN V. I. COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Innocentiae professio est nostram elegisse praesentiam, ubi nec violentiae locus datur nec avaritiae vitia formidantur. Maurentius atque Paula patris auxilio nudati multorum se iniuriis testantur exponi: quorum adulescentia pervia videtur incommodis, cum facile possit subrepi vel iuvenibus destitutis. et ideo nostrum merentur praesidium, a quibus se calliditas non abstinet improborum. proinde sublimitas vestra tenorem praesentis iussionis agnoscens supra memoratos adultos, si quis iurgantium pulsare maluerit, ad nostrum comitatum noverit dirigendos, ubi et innocentia perfugium et calumniatores ius possint invenire districtum.