Letter 22

From: [Lombard court administrator] To: [Lombard bishops] Date: ~640 AD Context: An administrative letter from the Lombard court about the management of church property and revenues. From the royal administration to the bishops of the Lombard kingdom. The following administrative matters are brought to your attention for compliance and response. On church lands: the census of church-held lands ordered last year has now been completed for most provinces. The total is considerably larger than previous estimates indicated. The royal administration is not proposing to challenge the legitimacy of any of these holdings, all of which were acquired through proper legal mechanisms. We are noting the total for the purposes of the general survey of the kingdom's resources. On the maintenance of roads and bridges near church properties: the obligation to contribute to the maintenance of infrastructure that serves church-held lands applies to those lands as it applies to all property. Several church administrators have claimed exemption from this obligation; the claim is not accepted. Please ensure that your administrators understand this. On the hospitality obligations: monasteries and churches that receive travelers are performing a public service for which the kingdom is grateful. The obligation to maintain this service, however, is not unlimited, and church establishments that have become so overwhelmed by travelers as to jeopardize their primary mission may petition the royal court for assistance in managing the demand. We remain always grateful for the church's service to the kingdom. The royal administration