Franco-Gallia : $b or, an account of the ancient free state of France, and most other parts of Europe, before the loss of their libertiesHotman, François
History
Franco-Gallia : $b or, an account of the ancient free state of France, and most other parts of Europe, before the loss of their liberties
Hotman, François
Constitutional history -- France; France -- Politics and government
out _Childeric_, who then had the Title of King; and by the _Advice_ of
the _Ambassadors_, and of Pope _Zacharias, Elected Pipin_, and made him
King."
Besides the above Proofs, we have _Aimoinus's_ Testimony to the same
Purpose, _lib. 4. cap. 61._ where he concludes thus.--"This Year _Pipin_
got the Appellation of King of the _Franks_, and according to their
ancient Customs was elevated to the Royal Throne in the City of
_Soissons_, &c." Nay, even _Godfrey of Viterbo_ himself; _Chron. part.
17. cap. 4._ "_Pipin_ (says he) was made King by Pope _Zacharias_, (_ex
electione Francorum_) through the _Election_ of the _Franks_, _Hilderic_
their slothful King being, by the _Franks_, thrust into a Monastery."
In like Manner _Sigebertus_, sub Anno 752.--The Authors of the
_Miscellany History_, lib. 22.--_Otto Frising._ lib. 5. Cap. 21, 22,
23. And the Author of the Book intituled _Fasciculus temporum_, do all
clearly agree in the Account given of this Transaction. From which we
may easily gather, that altho' the _Franks_ did _consult_ the _Pope_
before they created _Pipin_ King, yet it cannot therefore be any Ways
inferr'd from thence, that he was made King by the _Pope's Authority_;
for 'tis one Thing to make a King, and another to give Advice touching
the making him: 'Tis one Thing to have a Right of Creation, and another
that of only giving Advice; nay; no Man has a Right of so much as giving
Advice in Matters of this Nature, but he whose Advice is first ask'd.
Lastly, no Man has more clearly explain'd this whole Matter than
_Marsilius Patavinus_; who during the Reign of _Lewis_ of _Bavaria_,
writ a Book--_de translatione imperii_, in which, _Cap. 6._ he has these
Words.--"_Pipin_, a very valiant Man, and Son of _Charles Martel_, was
(as we read) raised to the Dignity of being King of the _Franks_, by
_pope Zacharias_. But _Aimoinus_ more truly informs us, in his History
of the _franks_, that _Pipin_ was _legally elected_ King by the _Franks_
themselves, and by the Nobility of the Kingdom was placed in the Throne.
At the same Time _Childeric_, a dissolute Prince, who contenting himself
with the bare Title of a King, wasted both his Time and Body in
Wantonness, was by them shaven for a Monk: So that _Zacharias_ had no
Hand in the deposing him, but consented (as some say) to those that did.
For such deposing of a King for just Causes, and electing of another,
does not belong to any Bishop or Ecclesiastick, nor to any College of
Clergymen; but to the _whole Body of citizens_ [ad universitatem civium]
inhabiting that Region, and to the Nobles of it, or to the Majority of
them both." Therefore those Pretences of the _Popes_, to a Power of
_creating_ or _abdicating_ Kings, are apparently false to every Body.
But besides this fabulous Device, which is a sufficient Instance of
their Wickedness and Malice, I think it worth my while to add a
remarkable Letter of Pope _Stephen_, adapted to the foregoing Fable; by
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account