Letter 2029: Although we wish no one under our protection to suffer any burden -- since a ruler's glory lies in the undisturbed...

29. KING THEODERIC TO ADILA, COUNT, MAN OF SPECTABLE RANK. [1] Although we wish that none whom our devotion is seen to protect should suffer any burden, since the glory of a ruler lies in the untroubled tranquillity of his subjects, yet we desire in a special way that the churches be kept free from every injury, for when even-handed treatment is afforded to them, the mercy of the Godhead is gained. [2] And therefore, moved by the petition of the most blessed Eustorgius, bishop of the holy church of Milan, we admonish you by the present address that you take care to grant protection, with due regard for civil order, to the estates and the men of this church situated within Sicily, and that you not allow them to be oppressed contrary to right by any man of any nation whatsoever, since it is fitting that those people be relieved out of regard for the Godhead: yet on this condition, that they not delay to answer in public and private suits which are reasonably brought against them, for, just as we do not wish them to be unduly burdened by anyone, so we do not permit them to be found exempted from the path of justice.

XXVIIII. ADILAE V. S. COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis nullos velimus gravamen aliquod sustinere, quos videtur pietas nostra protegere, quia regnantis est gloria subiectorum otiosa tranquillitas, tamen specialiter ecclesias ab omni iniuria reddi cupimus alienas, quibus dum aequabilia praestantur, misericordia divinitatis adquiritur. [2] Et ideo beatissimi viri Eustorgii episcopi sanctae Mediolanensis ecclesiae petitione permoti praesentibus te affatibus ammonemus, ut praediis vel hominibus huius ecclesiae intra Siciliam constitutis tuitionem studeas salva civilitate praestare, nec a quoquam cuiuslibet nationis homine contra fas patiaris opprimi, quos decet divinitatis intuitu sublevari: ita tamen, ut causis publicis et privatis, quae contra eos rationabiliter proponuntur, respondere non differant, quia, sicut nolumus eos ab aliquo praegravari, ita exceptos a tramite iustitiae non patimur inveniri.