Theodosius had laid heavy penalties on brothel-keepers;[169] Justinian reiterated them, and increased their weight. The seizure and prostitution of a girl he punished with death. He who connived at the prostitution of females was to be expelled from the city where he lived, and any person harboring him was to be fined one hundred gold pieces. Whatever legislation could effect to uproot the system of procurers and public prostitution, Justinian did;[170] but his laws contain no trace of any harsh policy toward prostitutes. Those unfortunate creatures he regarded with an indulgent humanity, which, for the sake of human nature, one may perhaps ascribe to the kindly sympathy of the empress. CHAPTER VI. FRANCE.--HISTORY DURING THE MIDDLE AGES. Morals in Gaul.--Gynecea.--Capitulary of Charlemagne.--Morals in the Middle Ages.--Edict of 1254.--Decree of 1358, re-establishing Prostitution.--Roi des Ribauds.--Ordinance of Philip abolishing Prostitution.--Sumptuary Laws.--Punishment of Procuresses.-- Templars.--The Provinces.--Prohibition in the North.--Licensed Brothels at Toulouse, Montpellier, and Avignon.--Penalties South.-- Effect of Chivalry.--Literature.--Erotic Vocabulary.--Incubes and Succubes.--Sorcery.--The Sabat.--Flagellants.--Adamites.--Jour des Innocents.--Wedding Ceremonies.--Preachers of the Day. The Roman accounts of the Gauls represent them as leading virtuous lives. _Severa matrimonia_ is the expression of the historian. This would appear to apply more particularly to the women than the men. As is usually the case among semi-civilized nations, the Gauls, Germans, Franks, and most of the aboriginal nations of Northern Europe imposed upon the women obligations of chastity which they did not always accept for themselves. Adultery, and, in certain cases, fornication, they punished capitally; but, if the early ecclesiastical writers are to be believed, these rude warriors were addicted to coarse debaucheries, in which intoxicating liquors and promiscuous intercourse with females played a prominent part. The feasts which followed victories in the field, or commemorated national anniversaries, bore some resemblance to the Roman _commessationes_, though, of course, they lacked the refinement and the wit which occasionally strove to redeem those disgraceful banquets. So far as the females were concerned, there is no doubt the Roman writers judged correctly. Whether the severity of the climate tempered the ardor of northern sensuality, or the harshness of the law kept the passions in check, the female population of Gaul, from the time of the Roman conquest for at least two or three centuries, was undoubtedly virtuous. Prostitution was comparatively unknown. An old law or usage directed that prostitutes should be stoned, but we do not hear of this law being carried into effect.