The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
History
The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
Frisian language -- Texts
12. Those who fight with arms are not men of counsel, therefore no
king must bear arms. His wisdom must be his weapon, and the love of
his warriors his shield.
THESE ARE THE RIGHTS OF THE MOTHERS AND THE KINGS.
1. If war breaks out, the mother sends her messengers to the king,
who sends messengers to the Grevetmen to call the citizens to arms.
2. The Grevetmen call all the citizens together and decide how many
men shall be sent.
3. All the resolutions must immediately be sent to the mother by
messengers and witnesses.
4. The mother considers all the resolutions and decides upon them,
and with this the king as well as the people must be satisfied.
5. When in the field, the king consults only his superior officers, but
three citizens of the mother must be present, without any voice. These
citizens must send daily reports to the mother, that they may be sure
nothing is done contrary to the counsels of Frya.
6. If the king wishes to do anything which his council opposes,
he may not persist in it.
7. If an enemy appears unexpectedly, then the king's orders must
be obeyed.
8. If the king is not present, the next to him takes command, and so
on in succession according to rank.
9. If there is no leader present, one must be chosen.
10. If there is no time to choose, any one may come forward who feels
himself capable of leading.
11. If a king has conquered a dangerous enemy, his successors may take
his name after their own. The king may, if he wishes, choose an open
piece of ground for a house and ground; the ground shall be enclosed,
and may be so large that there shall be seven hundred steps to the
boundary in all directions from the house.
12. His youngest son may inherit this, and that son's youngest son
after him; then it shall return to the community.
HERE ARE THE RULES ESTABLISHED FOR THE SECURITY OF ALL FRISIANS.
1. Whenever new laws are made or new regulations established, they
must be for the common good, and not for individual advantage.
2. Whenever in time of war either ships or houses are destroyed,
either by the enemy or as a matter of precaution, a general levy
shall be assessed on the people to make it good again, so that no
one may neglect the general welfare to preserve his own interest.
3. At the conclusion of a war, if any men are so severely wounded as
to be unable to work, they shall be maintained at the public expense,
and shall have the best seats at festivals, in order that the young
may learn to honour them.
4. If there are widows and orphans, they shall likewise be maintained
at the public expense; and the sons may inscribe the names of their
fathers on their shields for the honour of their families.
5. If any who have been taken prisoners should return, they must be
kept separate from the camp, because they may have obtained their
liberty by making treacherous promises, and thus they may avoid
keeping their promises without forfeiting their honour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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