Letter 1008: KING THEODERIC TO AMABILIS, AN EXECUTOR.

King Theoderic to Amabilis, an Executor. [1] It is close to our heart to protect all people in common, but most of all those whom we know to have been failed. For thus the scales of equity will be preserved: if we bestow aid upon the weaker, and set the fear of us against the insolent on behalf of the little ones. Lesser fortune seeks out a prince, since those from whom the public's prayers are withdrawn fall down to our reproach. [2] And so, by the tearful representation of Venantius, the guardian of Plutianus, we have learned that Neoterius, his own brother, forgetful of the affection of kinship, has torn apart the property of the little one with hostile fury. This has stirred us, in proportion to the bitterness of his affairs, lest our bounty, which we wish to stand as a marker of piety, should appear seized by unlawful presumptions. And since there is no doubt that, in the recovery of a minor's [property], the losses of delay are above all to be removed, therefore let your devotedness, confirmed by our command, if there is nothing that can reasonably be alleged in objection by the one who has been challenged, cause the demanded property to be restored without delay to the aforesaid guardian. [3] But if there is anything that the claim of the one withholding it may raise in his own defense, then, a legal surety having first been given, let him hasten to come to our court [comitatus, the royal court], so that, the pleadings having been heard, we may judge according to the custom of our equity.

VIII. AMABILI EXECUTORI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Cordi nobis est cunctos in commune protegere, sed eos maxime quos sibi novimus defuisse. sic enim aequitatis libra servabitur, si auxilium largiamur imparibus et metum nostri pro parvulis insolentibus opponamus. fortuna minor principem quaerit, quia in vituperationem nostram corruunt quibus se publica vota subducunt. [2] Venantii itaque tutoris Plutiani lacrimabili suggestione comperimus Neoterium fratrem suum, affectum germanitatis oblitum, bona parvuli hostili furore lacerasse. quod nos pro rerum suarum acerbitate commovit, ut largitas nostra, quam velut titulum volumus stare pietatis, usurpata praesumptionibus videatur illicitis. et quia dubium non est in repetitione minoris maxime submoveri dispendia tarditatis, ideoque devotio tua, nostra iussione firmata, si nihil est quod rationabiliter a pulsato possit opponi, postulatas res praedicto tutori faciat sine dilatione restitui. [3] Aut si quid est quod pro suis partibus intentio retentatoris obiciat, legali sponsione praecedente, ad nostrum deproperet venire comitatum: ut allegationibus cognitis pro consuetudine nostrae iudicemus aequitatis.