Community.  That as for him, he would submit to their judgment in all Things, and would not obstruct in any Measure whatever they should command.”  The same Thing is recorded in the Appendix to Gregory of Tours, lib.  II. “Clotharius (says he) made Answer to her, that he would refer the Difference between them, to the Determination of the Select Franks, and promis’d to fulfil whatsoever they should ordain.”  Also Aimoinus lib. 5. cap. 12. where he speaks of King Lewis the Pious, who was grievously tormented with the Contentions of his Sons, says thus,—­“When Autumn approached, they whose Sentiments differ’d from the Emperor’s, were for having the General Convention held in some Town of France.—­Item cap. 13.  He appointed the General Convention of his People to be held at Thionville.  And after a little Time, summon’d his People to meet on the Feast of St. Martin, and used all his Endeavours to recal his Son Pipin who had absented himself; but he refused to come, &c.” Gaguinus making Mention of this Same Passage, says; “When the Conspirators found out they should not be able to dethrone the King, without the Consent of the Nobility in Convention, they labour’d by all Means to have the Great Council held within the Limits of France.  But Lewis knowing for certain that those Franks were gained by his Enemies against him, refused it, and summon’d the Convention to meet at Mentz, and ordered that none should be admitted Armed to the Council.  But his Sons, (who had conspired against their Father) lest they should want the Authority of a Publick Convention, assembled a Council at Compiegne, consisting of the Bishops and Nobility of the Kingdom.  And Lotharius taking his Father out of Custody, brought him to Compiegne.”

Again, Aimoinus, lib. 5. cap. 38. where he speaks of Lewis the Stammerer, who held a Council at Marsua, wherein he treated a Peace with his Cousin, says:  “In that Placitum, or Parliament, these Articles which follow were agreed upon between them, by and with the Consent of the faithful Subjects of the Realm.”

To proceed, We find further, that it was the Custom (when any Prince, or Person of Extraordinary Quality, was accused of any Crime) to summon him to appear before the Great Council, and there he was to stand his Trial.  Thus in the Reign of King Clotharius, when Queen Brunechild stood accused, and was found guilty of many capital Crimes, the King made a Speech to the Estates of the Great Council of Francogallia, in these Words; which are recorded by Aimoinus, lib. 4. cap 1.  “It belongs to you, my most dear Fellow-Soldiers, and high Nobility of France, to appoint what Kind of Punishment ought to be inflicted on a Person guilty of such enormous Crimes, &c.”  And Ado AEtat 6. sub Anno 583. tells us, “The Franks passing Sentence upon her in the King’s Presence, condemn’d her to be torn in Pieces by wild Horses.”