To proceed, We find further, that it was the Custom (when any _Prince_, or _Person_ of _Extraordinary Quality_, was _accused of any Crime_) to summon him to appear before the _Great Council_, and there he was to stand his _Trial_. Thus in the Reign of King _Clotharius_, when _Queen Brunechild_ stood accused, and was found guilty of many capital Crimes, the King made a Speech to the Estates of the _Great Council of Francogallia_, in these Words; which are recorded by _Aimoinus_, lib. 4. cap 1. "It belongs to you, my most dear Fellow-Soldiers, and high Nobility of _France_, to appoint what Kind of Punishment ought to be inflicted on a Person guilty of such enormous Crimes, &c." And _Ado AEtat 6. sub Anno_ 583. tells us, "The _Franks_ passing Sentence upon her in the King's Presence, condemn'd her to be torn in Pieces by wild Horses." Now concerning the _dividing_ of the _Royal Patrimon_, and the _Appanages_, we have the same Person's Testimony, _lib. 5. cap. 94._ where speaking of _Charlemagn_, he has these Words--"These Matters being ended, the King held a _Convention_ of the _Nobility and Gentry_ of the _Franks_, for the making and maintaining a firm Peace among his Sons, and dividing the Kingdom into Three Parts, that every one of them might know what Part of it he ought to defend and govern, in Case they survived him."--Also in that Place where he speaks of the Partition made among the Children of _Lewis_, lib. 5. cap. 40. he says thus.--"They went to _Amiens_, and there they divided their Father's Kingdom among them, _according to the Advice and Direction of their faithful Subjects_." Further, _cap._ 41. where he writes of _Carloman_, who held his _Great Council_ then at _Worms_.----"To this _Placitum_ (says he) came _Hugo_, and preferred his Petition for that Part of the Kingdom, which his Brother _Lewis (in Locarium acceperat)_ had rented of him, or received in Pawn." We may further observe, from very many Instances, that whenever the King had any expensive Design in Hand, such as the Building of Churches or Monasteries, he took first the Advice of the _Council_ of the _Estates_. For _Aimoinus_, lib. 4. cap. 41. where he speaks of _Clodoveus_ the Second, tells us, that sitting on his Throne, he began his Oration to the _General Council_ in these Words.--"_Quamquam Franciginae cives, &c._ Altho' (says he) the Care I ought to take of my Kingdom, obliges me to take your Advice in all Matters relating to the Publick, &c."