An Account of Denmark

15 Of the continued Authority and Power of the Sacred Council, during the Reign of the Carolingian Family

290 CHAPTER XV Of the continued Authority and Power of the Sacred Council, during the Reign of the Carolingian Family  We have, as we suppose, sufficiently explain’d what was the Form and Constitution of our Commonwealth, and how great the Authority of the Publick Council was during the Reigns of the Kings of the Merovingian Family. We must now proceed to give an Account of it under the Carolingian Race. And as well all our own as the German Historians, give us Reason to believe that the very same Power and Authority of the Orders or States of the Kingdom, was kept entire. So that the last Resort and Disposal of all Things, was not lodged in Pipin, Charles, or Lewis, but in the Regal Majesty. The true and proper Seat of which was (as is above demonstrated) in the Annual general Council. Of this Eguinarthus gives us an Account, in that little Book we have already so much commended. Where, speaking of what happen’d after the Death of Pipin, he tells us, “that the Franks having solemnly assembled their general Convention, did therein constitute both Pipin’s Sons their Kings, upon this Condition, That they should equally divide the whole Body of the Kingdom between Chapter XV  291 them; and that Charles should govern that Part of it which their Father Pipin had possess’d, and Carlomannus the other Part which their Uncle Carlomannus had enjoy’d, etc.” From whence ’tis easily inferr’d, that the States of the Kingdom still retain’d in themselves the same Power, which they had always hitherto been in Possession of (during near 300 Years) in the reigns of the Merovingian Kings. So that although the deceased King left Sons behind him, yet these came not to the Crown so much through any right of succession, as through the appointment and election of the States of the Realm. Now that all the other weighty affairs of the Nation used to be determined by the same General Council, Aimoinus is our witness , lib. 4. cap. 71. where he speaks of the War with the Saxons. “The King (says he) in the beginning of the Spring went to Nimeguen; and because he was to hold a General Convention of his People at a Place called Paderburn, he marched from thence with a great Army into Saxony. And again, cap. 77. Winter being over, he held a Publick Convention of his People in a Town called Paderburn, according to the yearly Custom. Also cap. 79. And meeting with his Wife in the City of Wormes, he resolved to hold there the General Council of his People.” In all which Places he speaks of that Charles, who through his warlike achievements had acquired the Dominion of almost all Europe, and by the universal consent of Nations had obtained the surname of the Great: Yet for all that it was not in his Power to deprive the Franks of their ancient Right and Liberty. Nay, he never so much as endeavour’d to undertake the least matter of moment without the advice and authority of his people and nobles. And there is no doubt of it, after Charles’s Death, Lewis his Son administered the Kingdom upon the same Terms and Conditions. For the Appendix to Aimoinus, lib. 5. cap. 10. tells us, that when Charles was dead, Lewis the Emperor, through a certain kind of Foreknowledge, summon’d the General Council of his People to meet at Doue, near the Loire. And again, cap. 38. where he makes mention of the Articles of Peace, concluded between King Lewis and his Cousin Lewis, “They summoned, says he, a PLACITUM, and in that PLACITUM, by the Advice and Consent of their faithful Subjects, they agreed to observe and keep the Articles which follow. In which Placitum it was also by common Consent found convenient , that both Kings should return with a Guard [redirent cum scara] etc.” 292  Francogallia Also cap. 41. where he speaks of Carloman the Son of Lewis the Stammerer , “And so (says he) he departed from the Normans, and returned to Wormes, where he was on the Kalends of November to hold his Placitum.” Also in the following Chapter, where he speaks of Charles the Simple, “Whose Youth (says he) the great Men of France thinking unfit for the Administration of the Government, they held a Council concerning the...