Letter 3005: As we have no wish to disturb the privileges of laymen in their judgments, so, when they judge wrongfully, we desire you to resist them with moderate authority. For to restrain violent laymen is not to act against the laws, but to support law. Since then Deusdedit, the son-in-law of Felix of Orticellum, is said to have done violent wrong to the ...

Gregory to Peter, Subdeacon of Campania. Just as we have no wish to interfere with the lawful judgments of laymen, so when they judge wrongfully we expect you to resist them with measured authority. To restrain violent laymen is not to act against the law but to uphold it. Deusdedit, the son-in-law of Felix of Orticellum, is reported to have done serious wrong to the bearer of this letter and to be unlawfully detaining her property. The vulnerability of her widowhood, far from moving his compassion, seems only to have hardened his malice. We therefore charge Your Experience to provide her the protection of your office against this man, as well as in any other matters where she claims to suffer injustice. Do not allow her to be oppressed by anyone, lest you be found neglecting a just command, or lest widows and other poor persons -- finding no help where they are -- be forced to bear the expense of the long journey here to Rome.

Book III, Letter 5 To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, Subdeacon of Campania. As we have no wish to disturb the privileges of laymen in their judgments, so, when they judge wrongfully, we desire you to resist them with moderate authority. For to restrain violent laymen is not to act against the laws, but to support law. Since then Deusdedit, the son-in-law of Felix of Orticellum, is said to have done violent wrong to the bearer of these presents, and still unlawfully to detain her property, in such sort that the dejection of her widowhood is found not to move his compassion, but to confirm his malice, we charge your Experience that against the aforesaid man, as well as in other cases wherein the aforesaid woman asserts that she suffers prejudice, thou afford her the succour of your protection, and not allow her to be oppressed by any one whatever, lest either thou be found to neglect what without prejudice to equity is commanded you, or widows and other poor persons, finding no help where they are, be put to expense by the length of the journey hither.

Gregorius Petro subdiacono Campaniz. Sicut in judiciis laicorum * privilegia turbare non cupimuz, ita eis prejudicantibus, moderala te GA7 volumus auctorilale resistere. Violentos nainque laicos coercere, non contra leges est agere, ed legi Rhegino : B, presbylero Rhegio. Rhegium urbs olim D Bruiiorum, nunc Calabriz ulterioris caput, litulo paudens archiepiscopali, setdet in bra freti Sicali ex ady-rs0 Messanz. Nomitis etymon affert Cass rus, Variar. lib. xn, epist. 14 : Rhegienses cives ulli- mi Brutiorum, quos a Sicilie corpore violenti quondam maris in;petus segregavit, nnde tivitus corum nomen accepit. Divisio enim, prov Graca lingua vocitatur, b 11a in Colb. et io Turon.'S. Gat. EerisrT. V. — * Refertur extra de privilegins, e. 2, addito nobis post prejudicantibus Jaicorum et clerico- . run distinctz cam sint jurixdictiones, safs quzegqre linaibus debent emntineri. Concessnm es! autem no- stris episcopis ab imp-ratoribus et regibus, panpe- rum, viduaramque oppressarum cansvs tueri. Sic in Cod., de episcopts audiendis, ley. 1, 40, 12; de epi- scopis et clericis ley. 25, 45, 49. Sed evidentius con- Cil. Matiscon. 1, jussn Guntramni "_ c. 12 et 14; Turon. 11. C. 26; Sanctus Gragerith, ib. 1, epivt. 15, UGET. 607 SANCTI GREGORIT MACNI 608 ſerre subsidium. Quia igitur Densdedit gener Felicis A exquisisse, sed machinationibus quibu<dam testes de Orticello prasentium latrici violentiam dicitur irrogasse, prefatamque rem illicite detinere, ila ut viduitatis ejus dejectio non misericordiam provoca- re, sed ejus inveniatur roborare malitiam, precipi- mus experientiz tuz ut tam contra prefatum virun, quam in c#terfs causis, in quibus se asserit przſata ſemina prajudicium sustinere, tur ei solatinum tnj- tionis impendas, nec a quolibet eam pregravari per- miltas, ne vel ea quz tibi, salva tamen zquilate, mandantur, in aliqua inveniaris parte negligere, vel viduis aliisque pauperibus, dum jillic auxilium non inveniunt, ex hujus itineris profligentur longinqui- tate dispendia.