LXXX
76 THE BURGUNDIAN CODE within thmty years, shall not be affected thereafter by any order, because the number of years established above is sufficient time for everyone to demand and recover what is due him. Given on the 1st of March (515) at Lyons, in the consulship of Senator, uir clurissimus, consul. 1. As new cases appear, it is necessary that those things which have not been well-definedshould be established with the sanction of current law. Because we know many have sworn falsely in different cases on account of its ease who afterward expose themselves voluntarily to combat so that they may prove (establish) their statements when they fear for their own loss, we issue this order concerning witnesses: 2. If those who bear witness for any party resort to combat to decide the case, and, by divine judgment, the false witness falls in the struggle, let all the witnesses of that party whose testimony was disproved be compelled to pay a fine of three hundred solidi at the place. For we believe that the crime of many bearing witness falsely cannot be expiated by the death of one, so we have established that those whom fortune does not punish shall sufferloss as a punishment so that hereafter no one may readily dare to lie in accordance with his own depraved nature. 3. Also if anyone has given counsel to a false accuser with regard to undertaking combat (i.e., has instigated a false accuser to give combat), and if he has been defeated, let him pay a fine like that which has been stated above. 1. In the introductory statute (prima constitutio), it was decreed by us that judges, after a third appeal, should settle and decide cases between the recognized parties, and since it is clear that the assigned judges are frequently occupied or absent at the time of appeal, we believe a time should be established with the con- ...
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