Letter 4020: King Theodoric to Geberic, Vir Spectabilis [Most Respectable].

20. KING THEODERIC TO GEBERIC, MAN OF DISTINCTION [vir spectabilis]. [1] If we desire to find occasion for acts of generosity, that we may be able to set up the marks of our own devotion, how much more do we wish that the benefactions granted by others be defended untouched, we who long of our own accord to bestow benefactions of our own, especially when this too is laid up to the account of our conscience, namely that which is furnished from the treasury [fiscus] under an ancient observance! Accordingly, by the petition of the venerable man, Bishop Constantius, we have learned that one yoke of land [iugum], belonging to his most holy church and conferred by the devotion of the princes of old, is even now being held back by the violent usurpation of certain persons. [2] But since we wish no man to profit by his own frauds, especially when one is engaged with detestable intent in the despoiling of the poor, we decree by the present authority that those things which in time past have been shown to have been assigned by the humane generosity of the princes, the aforementioned church shall receive without any diminution, with the penalty likewise remaining in force against the invader as well, who is proven to have violated both the gifts of the men of old and the resources of the church.

XX. GEBERIC V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Si desideramus locum beneficiis invenire, ut titulos nostrae possimus pietatis erigere, quanto magis aliena beneficia intacta volumus defendi, qui propria cupimus sponte largiri, maxima quando et illud conscientiae nostrae reponitur, quod de fisco sub antiqua sollemnitate praestatur! proinde viri venerabilis episcopi Constantii supplicatione comperimus sacrosanctae ecclesiae ipsius unum iugum, veterum principum pietate collatum, et nunc quorundam usurpatione violenta retineri. [2] Sed quia nos uti nullum volumus fraudibus suis, praesertim cum in dispendio pauperum detestabili mente versetur, praesenti auctoritate decernimus, ut ea, quae retro principum constiterint humanitate deputata, supra memorata ecclesia sine aliqua imminutione percipiat, manente poena etiam pervasori. qui et veterum dona et ecclesiae probatur violasse compendia.